PICKNBOW FOLKMUSIC RETREAT WEEKEND

If you want to print out the info: two-sided brochure of PickNBow summer music retreat (with bios). Some samples of our workshop topics:

Songs for Non-Singers. You have a guitar and you know how to play it a little but you're embarrassed to sing? Were you ever told to "mouth the words" ? Jane Peppler taught "Songs for Non-Singers" at Duke University Short Course Program for more than twenty years and she can get you on your way to confident, soulful singing!

Good fiddling habits. Have you been sawing away and cringing at the result? Feel like you practice but don't make much headway? There are a few fundamental (and not very difficult) principles for better bowing, better fingering, and easier learning. We'll learn a few simple tunes by ear (I will also pass out the music) and work on rhythm, intonation, and sound quality.

Harmony singing. Always wanted to but didn't know how? There are several approaches to mapping out good harmony parts. Jane has been a vocal arranger for many years and can get you started -- or, if you just want more practice, come pick out your own harmony lines and sing along with us!

Open tunings for guitar. Discover the wonderful world of open tuned-guitar styles. Bob Vasile is an expert on open D and DADGAD tunings. Learn how to break out of standard tuning and create new sounds and textures in your playing.

Tone and expression for guitarists. Danny Gotham will critique your playing and offer suggestions to improve your technique—and your sound. Learn the intricacies of good tone production (whether you flatpick, fingerpick, or both) and the skills required for good expression in your playing.

CAGED theory for guitar. Unlock the mystery of the fretboard. CAGED is a fundamental approach that will open up endless new applications and revelations. Bouzouki, Mandolin, Ukulele, beginning banjo and basic bass: Bob and Danny will cover all the bases for beginners . If you want to become a “doubler” and add a second instrument to your music making, consider one of these.

Flatpicking for Fingerpickers, and vice-versa. If you only do one style, consider adding a second. Diverse guitarists have more fun!

Capo tricks. It’s not a cheater, it’s a tool! Danny will show you some handy capo skills to spice up your music.

Tentative schedule

Friday June 24th, 7 pm: “Meet and greet” We will gather for introductions; instructors will talk briefly about the workshops, and students will make their choices.

Then - lots of informal music making — for all of us!

Saturday June 25th, 9:30am: We start the day at 9:30, and make our final choices for the workshops. The morning sessions will go from 10 to 1.

We’ll take a break from 1 to 2:30 for lunch, jamming/practice time and one-on-one sessions, if needed.

Afternoon sessions are approximately from 3 to 5:30.

We then gather for a group meal, and then end the day (approximately 7:00 to 9:00) with performance time—for students and instructors alike.

Sunday June 26th, noon:There will be three sessions, going to approximately 3:00.

We’ll then take a break until about 4:00 for another group meal, and any last-minute practice sessions. We close picknbow with one more group performance that will end at approximately 5:30.

We will all help clean up and will be finished by 6:00.

For further info and enrollment, contact Danny Gotham at 919.967.4934 or steelstringer@gmail.com