Welcome to the North Cascades Bluegrass Workshops & Schedules.
Sponsored by Access Living
Click on any “workshop picture” to see details. Download Schedules and a Location Map Below
.
Click on any “workshop picture” to see details. Download Schedules and a Location Map Below
.
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Jens Kruger
Date:
Time:
Location: Museum
Workshop Description: During this workshop Jens will provide insights into how to find your own music and voice, how to develop skill and broaden your understanding of musical structure. Bring your banjo, as this workshop in hands-on, where you can try different sounds and thrills.
Intended Audience: All levels are welcome but basic knowledge is recommended.
Curriculum: Jens will talk about composition, musical structure, chord connections, intuitive playing, improvisations as well as traditional playing styles and approaches.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjos and some questions.
Bio: Born and raised as a German citizen in Switzerland, Jens Kruger started playing accordion and harmonica at just five years old, taking up the banjo at ten. By the age of 16 he was working as a full time musician. Jens was signed to a recording contract with CBS in 1982, making his debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry with Bill Monroe just a short time later in 1982. Jens’ talents have earned multiple IMBA award nominations, cover stories for Banjo Newsletter and other publications, as well as appearances on programs such as the 60 Minutes radio broadcast and late night tv’s The David Letterman Show. In 2013 Jens was awarded the coveted Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, now called the Banjo Prize. Though known to many for his American Folk music, Jens’ technical abilities and classical influences have led him to work as a composer for many string quartets, chamber orchestras and symphonies. Jens has served as President of Double Time Music Inc. since 1997 and as Research and Development Director for Deering Banjos since 2003. Jens has been performing worldwide with his brother Uwe and Joel Landsberg as the Kruger Brothers since 1992.
Jens Kruger
Jens Kruger’s Approach to Banjo
Kruger Brothers
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Uwe Kruger
Date:
Time:
Location:
Workshop Description: We will look at some licks and tricks I learned from Doc, concentrating on flat pick techniques. Bring your guitar, steel string acoustic preferred, and a pick and capo. Questions welcome!
Intended Audience: Anyone interested in Folk Guitar with a basic understanding of chord progression. Not for complete Beginners, but open to all.
Curriculum: I will demonstrate pick technique, Right and Left hand positions, dynamics in volume and quality of sound. We will play in a seated position.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your guitar, a pick and a recording device, a cell phone is perfectly adequate. There will be no printed material available.
Bio: Touring Musician since 1979, been living now in Western North Carolina since 2001. Recorded with the Kruger Brothers (Lead Vocals and Guitar) since 1993 and I have played and performed with Doc Watson on numerous occasions.
Uwe Kruger
Flat Picking Guitar Doc Watson Style
Kruger Brothers
Band Association: Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor: Joel Landsberg
Date:
Time:
Location:
Workshop Description: We’ll discuss learning how to “open your ears” and be aware of the importance of the role of the bass in the band, along with basic hand positions, finger exercises and just getting comfortable with your instrument.
Intended Audience: Beginning to mid level Bassists.
Curriculum: General bass “Bassics”. Tone, timing, intonation, and learning to develop your skills to listen to what’s going on around you.
What your attendees need to bring: Bring your instrument, a tuner and plenty of questions!
Bio: With over 50 years of bass playing experience in every genre from Latin Jazz to Broadway show tunes and Country Rock, I’ve been primarily playing with the Kruger Brothers for the last 30 plus years. Our music is a collaborative style of Folk, Bluegrass, Classical and original compositions and we approach our trio very much like a small orchestra. Born in New York City, I spent years studying Jazz and Classical music while playing in various style bands from Rock to Reggae. After moving to Switzerland in 1989 I met up with Jens and Uwe and we began the journey that we are still on today. I enjoy sharing some of what I’ve learned along the way with aspiring musicians. For me, the most important part of the magic of making music is to have fun and be able to communicate with people who might not even speak the same language.
Joel Landsberg
What do I do when I don’t know the tune???
Kruger Brothers
Workshop Instructor(s): Geary Allen
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: Originally from England and now residing in East Tennessee, Geary Allen is the guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Burnett Sisters Band. He also worked as the lead guitarist and singer for the Tennessee Bluegrass Band for a year and a half, and have had two of his originals (“Coming Down the Line”, and “Sorrow, Grief and Pain”) appear in the Bluegrass Today charts. More than a decade of professional touring and teaching experience has allowed Geary to attain a very well developed understanding of both lead and rhythm bluegrass guitar. He is able to articulate complex musical concepts in simple terms, and demonstrate those concepts so that musicians of all skill levels can understand them.
Workshop Description: This is an interactive workshop in which I will demonstrate the explain the function of the guitar as a rhythmic instrument in a bluegrass band. I will demonstrate a range of techniques such as right hand strumming patterns and basslines that can be used to back up other instruments. I will also discuss dynamic and timing concepts that will allow your rhythm guitar playing to develop further nuance and colour. This workshop will be beneficial to bluegrass guitarists of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
Intended Audience: Bluegrass guitar players of all skill levels.
Curriculum: Right hand strumming patterns, walking basslines, using hammer ons and pulls offs in your rhythm playing, dynamic sensibility, manipulation of timing (pushing the beat), understanding the function of the guitar as a rhythm instrument in a bluegrass band, filling in the gaps with single string runs, listen to and learn from the masters (Doc Watson, Clarence White, Lester Flatt etc).
What your attendees need to bring: Guitar, pencil and paper, recording device.
Geary Allen
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
The Burnett Sisters Band
Workshop Instructor(s): Anissa & Anneli Burnett
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: North Carolina native, Anissa Burnett, is a highly accomplished multi-instrumentalist and is known for her unique qualities of traditional yet contemporary style of fiddling.
Workshop Description: This will be a Q&A plus hands-on fiddle workshop.
Intended Audience: This workshop is for all levels of fiddle playing. Could be useful for fiddlers who play with other fiddlers in a professional setting, or in a casual setting such as a jam.
Curriculum: We will focus on topics such as when to play and when not to play, how to not overplay or underplay when twin fiddling, and how to work with another person as a team and less as two individual people playing at the same time. We will talk about harmonies, playing leads together, and some tips when backing up another fiddler or musician.
What your attendees need to bring: Since there will be some hands-on practice, bring a fiddle! Don’t worry if you don’t have a twin fiddle partner. If you don’t want to bring a fiddle, just bring an open mind! There will be plenty of time for questions throughout the workshop.
Anissa & Anneli Burnett
Twin Fiddling: tips and tricks for all levels!
The Burnett Sisters Band
Casey Holmberg
Driving Lessons: The Elements of Drive on the 5-String Banjo
Fog Holler
Clare Armenante
Deconstructing Fiddle Tunes So You Can Start Jamming Sooner
Fog Holler
Noa
Bass Fiddling Basics
Fog Holler
Tommy Schulz
The Yodel!: A versatile technique for full-bodied Bluegrass-style singing
Fog Holler
Workshop Instructor(s): Sophia Burnett
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: The Burnett Sisters Band
Instructor’s Bio: Sophia is a multi-instrumentalist and Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) music instructor. Although she began learning fiddle at the age of four, Sophia came to love the upright bass a few years later and continues to excel as a student in the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program at ETSU and as a professional, touring musician in the Burnett Sisters Band and the performing old-time band at ETSU.
Workshop Description: We will cover the fundamentals of bluegrass and old-time bass playing. This includes tips on how to pull the best tone from your instrument, how to improve your timing and which notes to play over chords. We will also cover the concept of walking baselines and learn how to use them.
Intended Audience: Beginner/intermediate bass players.
Curriculum: We will be reviewing right and left hand positions, basic timing tips and tricks, walking basics, and an intro to slapping bass.
What your attendees need to bring: Bass, pencil and paper for notes, phone or recording device.
Sophia Burnett
Beginner Skills and Tips for Bluegrass Bass
The Burnett Sisters Band
Workshop Instructor(s): Jeff Scroggins
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Full Cord
Instructor’s Bio: Jeff Scroggins has won numerous banjo contests, including the prestigious National Bluegrass Banjo Championship. In 2009, he founded the award-winning Jeff Scroggins and Colorado and spent the next 10 years headlining bluegrass festivals and taking his fiery style to stages around the world. Jeff has taught banjo for over 35 years. He has also hosted countless workshops and been an instructor at music camps in the US, Canada, and Europe.
Workshop Description: Improve your knowledge of the banjo neck and learn ideas and patterns for building your own licks and using them to improvise and arrange. We will also discuss the aesthetic aspects of arranging and improvising as well as the importance of technique, and we will learn several useful technique building exercises for both left and right hands.
Intended Audience: Beneficial for all levels, but particularly useful for intermediate to advanced levels. Much of the information is not instrument specific and could be of interest to anyone looking to improve their arranging and improvising skills.
Curriculum: We will learn systems for practicing and memorizing chord locations and relationships using arpeggio exercises. We will also learn licks and picking patterns that make use of the chord knowledge learned from the previous exercises and practice using them in common bluegrass tunes. We will briefly discuss aesthetics and their application in arranging and improvising and discuss the importance of technique in facilitating greater freedom of musical expression.
What your attendees need to bring: Banjo. Pencil and music stand could also be useful.
Jeff Scroggins
Mapping the banjo neck for improvising and arranging and considering the roles of technique and aesthetics in the process
Full Cord
Workshop Instructor(s): Mike Sanyshyn, Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie, Jeremy Kneeshaw
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Jackson Hollow
Instructor’s Bio: Canada’s Country Fiddler Mike Sanyshyn is CCMA and BCCMA Fiddle Player of the Year and Juno Award Nominee. Tianna Lefebvre is a highly decorated vocalist and co-founder of Jackson Hollow. Charlie Frie is a seasoned bassist and vocalist. Jeremy Kneeshaw is a multi-instrumentalist and studio artist with several solo albums and awards.
Workshop Description: Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie and Mike Sanyshyn will demonstrate a crash course in their approach to singing whether it’s lead or harmony. Jackson Hollow will cover vocal techniques, vocal care, basic theory and harmonies. Supported by Jeremy Kneeshaw on acoustic guitar.
Intended Audience: This workshop is designed for a beginner-intermediate audience.
Curriculum: Vocal Health – warm ups/maintenance; Basic Theory – chord progression, intervals; Vocal Blend – intonation, tone, Harmony.
What your attendees need to bring: A recording device or notebook/pencil.
Mike Sanyshyn, Tianna Lefebvre, Charlie Frie, Jeremy Kneeshaw
Vocalize with Jackson Hollow
Jackson Hollow
Workshop Instructor(s): Charlie Frie and Jeremy Kneeshaw
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Artist/Band Association: Jackson Hollow
Instructor’s Bio: Charlie Frie is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s Jazz Studies program and has numerous awards. Jeremy Kneeshaw is a versatile instrumentalist from British Columbia and an award-winning performer and producer.
Workshop Description: -Know your Role in the Rhythm Section
-How to be a sideman and learn your role on and offstage.
-How to prepare for a gig.
Intended Audience: Beginner/Intermediate
Curriculum: -Progressions and improvising basics
-Head’s Up Hockey (being present in performance and supporting the singer)
-What to do to get and keep the gig!
What your attendees need to bring: Instruments, recording device or notepad and pencil
Charlie Frie and Jeremy Kneeshaw
Roles of the Rhythm Section
Jackson Hollow
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Band Association: Outlander’s Progressive Bluegrass Social Club and Paper Bluegrass Revival
Workshop Instructor: Matt C. Bruno
Date: September 1st, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 10:45 am
Location: Playground Shelter
Workshop Description: The Pentatonic Scale is the basis for the melodies of many popular bluegrass songs. This makes understanding how to use the Pentatonic Scale is very important.
This workshop provides a broad overview of the what the pentatonic scale is and how to use it to play both melodic breaks as well as backup rhythm. We’ll use a few popular songs to illustrate how to use this scale in all forms.
This is designed for intermediate players – but beginners and advanced players likely will benefit too. Attendees should be able to participate in a jam (i.e. play chord progressions, maybe lead songs and take breaks). Attendees are encouraged to review the handout information in advance.
Intended Audience: Mandolin players
Curriculum: This is more an intermediate course – though beginners and more advanced players can likely benefit too. The main prerequisites are being able to play a song (chords and melody) and ideally able to take basic breaks. We’ll cover:
1. What the Pentatonic scale is – High level overview of what the Pentatonic Scale is and why it’s important to know.
2. Standard Pentatonic patterns and some specific keys – There are a few “general” patterns that make using the Pentatonic in any key a lot easier. We’ll cover the basics of those and specifically look at the key of G.
3. How to use the Pentatonic scale to play rhythm – the chord tones for a basic 1 4 5 progression live within the Pentatonic Scale. Knowing where these notes are can help you play rhythm in more interesting ways.
4. How to use the Pentatonic scale to play melodies and solos – Since the melodies for many popular songs are based on the Pentatonic, using that scale for solo breaks is an easy start.
What your attendees need to bring: Mandolins and tuners. Optional notebook and pen to take notes.
Bio: Matt C Bruno currently resides in Seattle WA, is a co-founder of the Outlanders Progressive Bluegrass Social Club, and hosts a weekly jam Wednesday’s at the Machine House Brewery in Seattle’s Hillman City neighborhood.
Matt’s workshops focus on providing actionable information for players at nearly all levels. His attention to detail and progressive learning help make it easy to both understand and utilize the information provided quickly. Aside from private coaching and workshops, Matt’s website (www.mattcbruno.com) provides a host of free educational content including chord charts and lessons on songs.
Matt’s educational materials have been widely used by groups like the California Bluegrass Association and the Washington Bluegrass Association in addition to nationally recognized players like Frank Solivan (Dirty Kitchen) who said:
“I absolutely love how Matt C Bruno has laid out his instruction assets. They are easy to read, follow and they will be a continued resource for me when teaching at workshops, music camps and private lessons.” – Frank Solivan
Matt C. Bruno
Pentatonic Scales for Mandolin players – beyond the basics
Paper Bluegrass Revival
Danny Waltman
Beginner Bass
Paper Bluegrass Revival
Neil Sowinski
Intermediate Banjo
Paper Bluegrass Revival
James Triola
Beginner Guitar
Paper Bluegrass Revival
Band Association: The Librarians, Mild Mallard
Workshop Instructor: Nakos Marker
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Workshop Description: This is will be an interactive lesson, with ample time for attendees to ask questions or bring up specific concerns.
Intended Audience: Anyone who plays a horizontal guitar with a bar. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend
Curriculum: It’s no secret that dobro players are few in number, so this workshop will be tailored to who is attending. There will be no handouts and no specific repertoire, licks or tunes covered. We will identify some common bad habits and how to fix them, and look at some basic exercises to develop and reinforce the fundamentals that secretly make you play well, focusing on a jam or performance context.
What your attendees need to bring: Please bring your instrument, a tuner, and anything you are musically struggling with, working on, or interested in.
Bio: For over 15 years, Nakos has strived to be Bellingham’s most versatile dobro player. While lately he is more likely to be found playing other music, he is familiar and friendly with bluegrass. His expertise is in technique, arranging, and single-note melody.
Nakos Marker
The Dobro Workshop
The Librarians, Mild Mallard
Workshop Schedule Here F Printable Workshop Schedule-TBD
Workshop Location Map Here F Printable Map
Note: Schedules and Workshop Locations are subject to change so check back a few days before the festival to make sure you have the correct one.
Printed schedules and maps will be handed out at the festival.