McEuen, Mitterhoff class openings at Fur Peace Ranch
Dennis E. Powell
I work with Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch here in southeastern Ohio,
and I've just learned that there are still a few openings in workshops
late in the summer and this fall.
It's important to note that Fur Peace Ranch is *not* a fantasy camp.
Students arrive on Friday and go to work with their instructors at once;
there are classes Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday morning and
afternoon. There is a big concert in the Fur Peace Station Concert Hall on
Saturday night (to which students get free tickets and preferred seating),
then classes again Sunday morning and afternoon, before the student
performance -- an open mic where those who want to can show off their
licks -- and, often, classes on Sunday night. Finally, there's a review
session on Monday morning.
The food is great and the accommodations are great. It's no surprise that
more than three quarters of Fur Peace Ranch students have been there
before, some dozens of times.
This year, more classes have been added, so there are a few openings
available -- the classes are small, typically about a dozen, and usually
fill up within a day or two of being announced. We'd like to keep adding
classes, so I'm especially interested in letting out the word!
Here are the workshops that are still open to those who are quick:
WYATT RICE, the great bluegrass guitarist (and brother of Tony), will be
teaching the intricacies of rhythm guitar the weekend of August 24. This
workshop will teach advanced and fundamental rhythm techniques including
cross picking, syncopated rhythms, passing chords, chord substitutions and
inversions. A variety of right hand patterns combined with left hand
technique along with bass runs will be taught. Here's a chance to learn
from a real master.
DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN will accent interpretation rather than memorization of
songs in his finger style guitar workshop the weekend of September 7. This
young fireball has amazed and delighted audiences across the nation with
the skill and authenticity he brings to his music. He will help students
make songs their own.
FAREED HAQUE brings the entire guitar world, from jazz to classical to
funk, to his September 7 workshop, which will focus on removing the fear
of diverse genres and putting all the varied styles to work in playing the
things you want to play. The result is a broad palette of styles, tools,
and approaches, all available for use in just about any style of playing.
JEFF PEHRSON, one of the founders of Box Set and a well-traveled and
well-collaborated (Willie Nelson, Greg Brown, Loudon Wainwright, Richard
Thompson, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Todd Rundgren, Brian Setzer,
Hot Tuna, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Jefferson Airplane, Huey Lewis and The
News, BareNaked Ladies, Ani DiFranco and a slew of others) artist, will
address various aspects of the craft and business of songwriting;
especially from the independent songwriter's perspective, in his September
28 workshop. Actual songwriting will take place, so students are invited
to bring works in progress!
Workshop students have the opportunity to get loopy with DAVID GANS
September 28, when he provides instruction in the use of a loop device as
both an accompaniment for singer-songwriters and for the creation of
multi-layered improvisations. Students would need to bring a guitar that
plugs in (acoustic or electric), and a Boss RC-20XL Loop Station. This is
a skill increasingly important to the serious guitarist. Yup, he's the
David Gans you got to know from his work with the Grateful Dead.
JOHN McEUEN, who you know as the legendary banjo player who helped found
the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will teach banjo techniques for better guitar
playing (and better banjo playing, too) in his workshop the weekend of
October 26. Students will explore alternate tunings and, to round it off,
John will share his experiences and advice in using music to put food on
the table. "Hand me down that can of beans!"
Students around the world sing -- and play -- the praises of mandolin
virtuoso BARRY MITTERHOFF (who happens to tour regularly nowadays with
Jorma and as part of Hot Tuna), and a select few will have the opportunity
to learn from him at his November 9 workshop. He'll take the instrument
into bluegrass but won't stop with just that genre. Barry's workshop is
open to students with a range of experience on the mandolin.
Keyboard players, here's your chance! PETE SEARS, who has played keyboard
and bass with everyone from Rod Stewart to Hot Tuna to Sly Stone to Taj
Mahal to, now, the Flying Other Brothers, will offer a blues and rock
keyboard workshop November 9. Pete's experience is vast and unique, and
his students will learn more in four days than they ever imagined
possible. (Participants should bring: An 88 key weighted action digital
electric piano, a small amp, a stool, sustain pedal, and headphones.)
To get more information, go to http://www.furpeaceranch.com and look
around. Then enroll -- you won't regret it!
Thanks for reading this and for stopping by.
dep