By Nancy Nikora

Thanks for your patience! After many e mails and calls back and forth, we have great news. Stacy Phillips will present TWO workshops in Madison!

We will host a fiddle workshop on Friday evening, November 7th, from 6:30-9:30 and a Dobro workshop on Saturday morning, November 8th, from 10:00 until 1:00. The cost is $60.00 for each of the three hour workshops. We know the price is a little higher than our recent workshops, but Stacy is providing a longer workshop, and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. While these will be small classes, Stacy asks for a minimum of 7 participants in each group to make it worth while. Reserve your place ASAP, so we don’t have to cancel either event.

Stacy’s “Bluegrass Fiddle Boot Camp” workshop is designed to fit the needs of fiddlers of all backgrounds - from traditional players to the conservatory trained. Unlock the secrets of creating authentic bluegrass solos on songs, based on the playing of the greats like Benny Martin, Kenny Baker, Chubby Wise, etc.

Having trouble choosing what notes to harmonize a melody line for a double stop passage? This workshop shows how the big boys do it, and how you can make your own variations that will improve your skills at jam sessions and band situations.

Saturday’s Dobro workshop will also be taught for all levels of player. Stacy will cover picking patterns, slants, playing in all keys, and building solos out of scalar patterns. He will demonstrate licks and how to vary them, how to incorporate rolls into solos, and much much more.

One change from our previous offerings is that payment is required in advance. In the past we have taken payment at the door, but we were disappointed this summer by a few folks who had us hold places for them but canceled without paying on the day of Mike Compton’s workshop. This isn’t fair to participants who were turned away, or to the generous musician planning on a certain number of students.

Please email me [nancy@blue-note.com] to get your name on the list for the workshop, making sure to note if you are a fiddle or dobro student. Follow up to be confirmed by sending your check no later than October 29th to me, so we can pay Stacy in cash. All proceeds from the workshops go to Stacy; Jim and I do this because we are lucky enough to have a great home for music and we love having it filled with old friends and new. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Stacy has graciously provided both his phone and e mail address if you want to contact him personally, but please send reservation requests and payment directly to me.

Jim and I look forward to hearing from you soon, and seeing you in a month.