WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS – MONDAY
Adding Bass Runs To Your Guitar Chords (Jerry Parks) Including a few simple bass runs going between chords can really add to the sound of your rhythm playing. In this workshop we’ll cover several of these simple runs that can be used in any key. A bonus will be the famous bluegrass “G” run.
Cajun Fiddle For Kids (Kelly Thibodeaux) For beginner and intermediate youth, participants will learn how to saw, play a simple Cajun two-step and learn enough sound effects to illustrate a short narrated folk story about a kingdom of magic frogs located deep in a Louisiana swamp. Sounds include frogs, crickets, skeeters, gators, snakes, wind, rain
Get Offa That Page! (Kim Drapek) This workshop will help unveil the mystery of picking up tunes around the campfire. Come learn how to tell what key a tune is in, how to identify the bare bones of sounds you hear in the air, and generally how to get your bearings without sheet music.
Introduction To Ukulele (Amy Burrow) In this workshop you’ll learn basic techniques and we’ll have fun learning to play simple accompaniments to familiar songs. Printed music and handouts will be provided. Just bring a desire to have fun with music, a standard-tuned ukulele (GCEA, high G preferred), and an electronic tuner, if you have one.
Introduction To Western Swing (Jeanine Orme) We will learn one (or more) Western Swing classics that includes harmony parts. We will also explore taking a solo break with a tune. We will play mostly by ear during class, but sheet music and listening files will be shared with students by email or Google Drive.
Scotland-to-Oregon Pipeline (Linda Danielson) Learn a Western U.S. version of an old Scottish tune, by ear. Find out what tunes came from Scotland to Oregon and how they got here and changed along the way. Which of them do we hear at OOTFA events? Feel free to record. Printed music will be provided.
Slow Circle Jam (Allison Lindley) Jam with friends, playing in a round-robin format, taking turns calling, starting and ending tunes. This will be a fun social forum for practicing with a group, picking up new tunes by ear, sharing a tune you know, asking questions and practicing etiquette typically expected during OOTFA jams around the state.
Twin Fiddle (Sherry McKenzie) We’ll learn two twin fiddle tunes (lead and harmony parts) with stylistically correct bowings. We’ll learn the lead by ear, but standard notation will be provided for both lead and harmony.
WORKSHOPS – TUESDAY
Finger Picking Guitar (Josh Humphrey) This workshop will cover the basics of fingerpicking technique for new players, as well as some variations, bass runs and advanced rhythm for more advanced players. We will focus on position of the hand, the production of tone, and clarity of sound.
Introduction to Bluegrass Fiddle (Jeanine Orme) Have you ever wanted to join a bluegrass jam session? We will learn a classic bluegrass tune, discuss how to play a solo break with a vocal tune and how to tastefully play some accompaniment on the fiddle. We will play mostly by ear during class, but sheet music and listening files will be shared with students by e-mail or Google Drive.
Introduction To Improvisation For Kids (Miya Saito-Beckman) Improvisation gives us an opportunity to be self expressive and inventive in our playing. We will discuss the theory behind improv but will also get the hands on experience of taking solos! You will learn how to back up and accompany one another so that you can continue to jam out with your friends for years to come. This is the chance to let your musical creativity take over in a supportive and instructive environment.
Learned the Notes—Now What? (Linda Danielson) A hands-on workshop for advanced-beginner to intermediate fiddlers, about ways you can make a fiddle tune your own: starts, stops, tags, licks, micro-variations, and kicking the rhythm. It’s about how to figure out what you can do and when to do it to make a string of notes on paper into a fiddle tune. Feel free to record.
Next Step For Ukulele (Amy Burrow) You’ll feel most comfortable if you already know a few chords and simple strum patterns. Taking your playing to the next level, we will explore new songs with an emphasis on fiddle-friendly tune and how you can contribute during jams. You’ll learn a few more chords and strums. Printed music and handouts will be provided. Please bring a ukulele and a digital tuner, if you have one. The ukulele should be tuned to high G, C, E and A.
Scales and Arpeggios (Sherry McKenzie) Why these are important to developing good tone and intonation. Ideas for adding a structured warm-up into your practice before you start playing or practicing fiddle tunes.
Slow Circle Jam (Kim Drapek) See Monday workshop on “Slow Circle Jamming” and come try it out. It’s great fun.
FREE WORKSHOP TUESDAY 2:45 to 3:15
Supporting A Young Musician (Jenny Jonak) Get helpful insight into ways to encourage, excite, and motivate your youth to play, to practice, to want to improve their musical skills – and to enjoy playing! This workshop is FREE BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED— whether you are already a musician or accompanying your family at camp —EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
WORKSHOPS – WEDNESDAY
Beginning Bass Backup for Fiddle Tunes (Ken Luse) This class will introduce the role of the bass fiddle in providing backup to fiddlers, and how it differs from other rhythm instruments. It will focus on timing, tempo and common keys used by fiddlers.
Bowing—Why Bow Direction Matters (Sherry McKenzie) We’ll cover how to apply different bowing options to songs you already know to help you feel more solid and confident in your playing. We’ll discuss ideas for Old-Time and Texas-style bowings. Please come with questions you may have on a song you know and questions on bowing.
Celtic Fiddle (Miya Saito-Beckman) – Learning to play an instrument is like learning a language! It is important to learn the correct pronunciation and style to play in. Here we will learn a Celtic fiddle tune together, and then explore the various ornaments that we can play, to make it sound more authentic. After learning the tune, we will delve into the accompaniment and chords we can use to help make a complete arrangement of the piece.
Dance Workshop for Kids (Amy Burrow) Here’s a chance to get your yee-haw on! No experience needed. You will listen to calls that guide you through the steps as you move to some great old-time music. We’ll dance a Virginia Reel, a polka and a square dance. You’ll be prepared with a few basics for the Wednesday evening dance and step out with confidence.
Introduction To Scottish/Cape Breton Tunes (Jeanine Orme) This work -shop will be best suited for intermediate level players, or come listen and learn the tunes later at your own pace. We will learn tunes that may include a reel, strathspey, march or air, discussing some techniques and embellishments. We will play mostly by ear during class, but sheet music and listening files will be shared with students by e-mail or Google Drive.
Playing Back-Up For Vocals (Allison Lindley) Playing behind a vocalist can be challenging but, in this workshop, we’ll take away some of the mystery. Several techniques will be covered, like staying away from the melody line, adding harmony lines, double stops, fills and chops. Bring your fiddle, – this will be a hands-on experience in fiddling behind a vocalist or other lead instrument.
Roots to Roots in Northwest Fiddle Music (Chico Schwall) We’ll get a backstory on the music we play and find some surprising roots to today’s NW fiddle-playing, including French, Scottish, African-American and Native American ancestors. We’ll discover the stories in the music we know, and use them to lead us to other cool tunes. We’ll follow one of these threads to learn a tune whose NW history may surprise you. Open to all ages and any instrument, although the workshop will be geared toward the fiddle.
Slow Circle Jam (Kim Drapek) Check out the description for the “Slow Circle Jam” on Monday. Put those new jamming skills together for a circle jam and relax after all those classes.