By Jim & Nancy Nikora

We have been graced, again, with an opportunity to host a workshop with one of the masters of acoustic music. Stacy Phillips will be in town on November 8th and would like to present a bluegrass workshop. Stacy is one of the early bluegrass rebels, playing with the likes of Peter Rowan, Bela Fleck, Mark O’Connor, Leon Redbone, and others. He has written over 25 of the best books of the genre, including two volumes of American fiddle tunes and an authoritative method book for Western Swing fiddle. He also has two DVD series. He is equally proficient on both Dobro and fiddle and because we will only have time enough for one workshop, I need to get some feedback to decide which would be more widely attended.

Here is some info that he provided me for the workshops:

Dobro -

- Aimed at all levels of players
- Picking patterns
- Slants
- Playing in all keys
- Licks and how to vary them
- Building solos out of scalar patterns
- Incorporating rolls into solos
- Playing in minor keys
- Using open strings in all keys
- Will teach at least one tune and discuss other styles
- String pulls
- How to “fake” at jam sessions

Fiddle - Bluegrass Fiddle Boot Camp

- Designed for all backgrounds - from traditional to conservatory trained
- Create bluegrass solos based on Benny Martin, Chubby Wise, Kenny
Baker, etc.
- Learn how to harmonize double stops and make variations like the pros
- Blues scales, transposing licks and faking while still sounding like a
bluegrass fiddler
- Learn moves to make the key of B easy

Both of these workshops are taught by ear with handouts at the end of
the session. You are encouraged to bring recordings of examples you want
to learn and you will be welcome to audio record the session but no
video, please. If you would like more info about Stacy, you can visit
his website at www.stacyphillips.com.

Please get back to us as soon as possible if you are interested in
attending one of these workshops and which is your preference.
Remember, we will only be able to do one, and even that is dependent on
knowing if we will have sufficient attendees.

Thanks for your interest and support of these fine musicians and their
workshops and concerts. We look forward to hearing from you.

[Ed. Note: You can reach the Nikoras at nancy@blue-note.com]