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This October is shaping up to be a blast! Here are the public performances on the docket-
October 7-8
Mystic Folkways Festival at Mystic Seaport
I'll be hosting a stage from 12:30-4pm where some excellent old time musicians from the region will be jamming old time fiddle tunes, string band blues, swing and more, and there may be some appearances by musicians from the other stages who want to come throw down for a few.
October 13-15 all day and night
Jam Camp North: I'm on teaching staff at this annual event in Charlton, MA, where master Bluegrass, Old Time, Blues, and Celtic musicians from around the country will lead attendees in jams ranging from slow sessions for beginners to full on raging sessions not for the faint of heart.
October 14
Thames River Cruise/New London County Historical Society
Join us for a beautiful fall cruise up the Thames River from new London to Norwich, CT and back on a Block Island ferryboat, while Jerry Bryant, Jeff Davis and I regale you with chanteys, river songs, nineteenth century fiddle tunes, songs from the West Indies trade in the age of sail, ballads, and music from the days when Long island Sound was the highway to New York aboard steamboats and the entry to ocean paths to the wide world aboard sailing ships. (Yes, I got a leave of absence from Jam Camp to do this!)
October 22
First Old Time Jam: Roots Music Stomp at the United Theatre
First in a monthly series I'm hosting, this will showcase an astonishing range of guest musicians expert in styles including Old Time, Blues, Cajun, Irish, and Chanteys. Over the course of two hours you'll get a whirlwind tour of the American Roots Music styles that have shaped American vernacular music. Come prepared to sing, and if you don't want your feet to move bring your lead boots.
...and a preview of November:
November 2-5
Fiddle Hell
I'm teaching nine sessions of fiddle, banjo, and dance band at his immersive teaching camp, held in a big hotel in Westford, MA, that annually draws hundreds of fiddlers from all over the country and teaching staff from all over the world. Pretty much any style of fiddling you've ever heard of is taught by expert players, as well as other instruments, and there are concerts and jamming everywhere. If you're a fiddler or traditional musican, it's really Fiddle Heaven.
I'm also teaching regularly at the United Theatre in Westerly, RI where the Roots Music Stomp takes place- if you'r interested in lessons on fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, button accordion, or ukulele, I have some slots open.
LESSONS
​​I can help you learn to play music.
I've taught many people to play all kinds of music on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, five-string banjo, and button accordion. Whether you're just starting out or you want to refine your skills, learn a new style or technique, overcome bad habits and get a fresh start, or develop your understanding of how music works on your instrument, I can help you. I can teach you music you know and love or introduce you to the details of a specific traditional style that's new to you, help you improve your ability to learn by ear, and train you in ways to practice that will allow you improve your skills as quickly and efficiently as possible.
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While you're learning music you're interested in on the instrument you're excited about playing, I'll help you understand the theory and structure of the music, so that you'll also be able to hear how the music fits together. This will give you the skills and understanding you need to start to learn new material on your own, opening the whole world of music to you.
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During lessons, I'll help you become aware of how your body and brain work together to develop the mental and physical habits the let you play with freedom and authority. An experienced and knowledgeable teacher can spot the tension and awkwardness that comes with asking your hands to make previously unfamiliar motions and show you how to avoid letting those things become bad habits. ​
I also teach lessons on line through Zoom.
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Call or email and we can set up an introductory lesson. If you've been wanting to play, there's no time like the present!
Instruments, styles, techniques
Fiddle- Styles: Old TIme, Blues, Cajun, Irish, Country, Folk, Rock, Swing Bowing, Repertoire, Ornamentation, Improvisation
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Guitar- Styles: pretty much any Amercan Roots style
FIngerstyle or flatpicking
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Banjo- Styles: Old time. folk, blues, contemporary
Clawhammer, two and three-finger picking, various up-picking
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Mandolin- Styles: Old time, Blues, bluegrass, folk, contemporary
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Button Accordion- Styles: Cajun, Creole, Zydeco​, Contemporary
One-row and three-row accordions
