Dobro 1 and 2 class offered at Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago

Hello Everyone:

Please forgive the shameless promotion, but here is the class description for the next installment of my Dobro 1 & 2 class. The Dobro 2 class content will be an ongoing, ever-shifting assortment of repertoire and techniques.

Here's a link to the Old Town School of Folk Music website http://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/register/CourseList.php?Instrument=Dobro

The 8 week class series will start on Thursday, September 4^th at 6:30 & 8pm; the later class will participate in “second half” with the rest of the school; this is where the entire school gathers in the concert hall to play songs out of the OTSFM songbook. There are usually around 80-100 participants, mostly guitarists.

Dobro 1 and Rep

In Dobro 1, you’ll learn the basic skills needed to play a variety of tunes ranging from blues, hymns and solo arrangements of great melodies. We’ll be working exclusively out of D tuning (DADF#AD) which is a great place to begin your “dobrolic” journey because the nature of the tuning makes it easy to create stand-alone arrangements and play melodies and licks in two octaves out of open/first position! D tuning is commonly associated with Weissenborn guitar, so this is the place to start if you own a Weissenborn guitar! We’ll cover some music by Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Jerry Douglas.
I am a firm believer in using the power of the internet as a learning tool, so here’s how classes go: At the beginning of the session I supply a complete syllabus of basic techniques and songs that incorporate those techniques that we will master. Everything that we cover in class will be available as a video clip and/or tablature on my class website 24/7. This enables you to work at your own pace and even move ahead of class if that suits you!
I introduce/teach the technique or song; then we slowly go over and play each section – individually and/or as a class. The emphasis in class is on learning and applying, and each class includes review of songs from earlier weeks. I provide tab for most songs, but I encourage folks to play by ear if they’re comfortable trying that; students are often surprised how easy it becomes.
You are welcome to record the entire class, but there is really no need to do so, because I post video clips and/or tablature for everything on my website or on a special webpage which is exclusive to our class. As this class is “Dobro 1 and rep,” students have the option of enrolling for more than one term to further develop skills and to learn additional songs at this level.
Here and in all my classes, the teaching is great fun for me; my objective is to make learning as much fun for you

Dobro 2 – Music from Bluegrass Album Band

Music from Bluegrass Album Band – The Bluegrass Album Band series (vol 1-6) redefined and updated standards from the original masters of bluegrass – Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, et.al -Led by guitar master Tony Rice, this series is a “must-have” for any serious student of bluegrass music! This installment of Dobro 2 will focus on developing and expanding your encyclopedia of tunes. We’ll spend time listening to tunes from the series and demystify Jerry Douglas’ approach and technique to providing rhythmic support, kick-off’s, back-up and solos to these bluegrass classics. We’ll also spend time as a class learning to recognize key signatures and chord progressions by ear. All of these skills are directly transferable to different musical styles and will make you a welcome addition to any jam session. Students have the option of enrolling for more than one term to further develop skills and to learn additional songs at this level.

I am a firm believer in using the power of the internet as a learning tool, so here’s how classes go: At the beginning of the session I supply a complete syllabus of basic techniques and songs that incorporate those techniques that we will master. Everything that we cover in class will be available as a video clip and/or tablature on my class website 24/7. This enables you to work at your own pace and even move ahead of class if that suits you!