Minnesota Bluegrass Fall Jam

FALL JAM Workshops

Verlon Thompson: Songwriting Workshop

All Day Thursday, November 14, Half Day Friday, November 15
Registration limited to 15 – REGISTER NOW

Verlon Thompson is a successful Nashville songwriter and long time friend, co-writer and bandmate of Guy Clark. You will find that not only is he an accomplished songwriter but he is an amazing guitarist with a gift for storytelling and a voice that just makes you want to hear more.  We are delighted to have an opportunity to offer this workshop to our community.

This hands-on workshop for songwriters is limited to 15 seats at Verlon’s request because he wanted to have plenty of one-on-one time to spend with each person attending. 

Writers of any and all skill levels will benefit from Verlon’s shared experience of 35 years as a professional songwriter. From concept (the “art”) to craft (the nuts and bolts construction), Verlon will guide the class in the writing and presentation of your song.

You’ll also learn tricks-of-the-trade for finding inspiration, letting a rhythm and groove guide you along, ways for your guitar to open up song ideas, and the importance of the presentation and performance of your creation.

REGISTER NOW FOR SONGWRITING WORKSHOP

Graham Sones: Pete Wernick Method Jamming Class

Saturday, November 16, 9 am to 12 noon (Check location at the front desk when you arrive)
Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged:
https://www.letspick.org/class-pages/gs-2019-11/#register

Graham Sones is a more than forty-year veteran of the banjo, a Scruggs-style picker who enjoys his craft and helping students learn to play. He’s played with many top shelf bands over the years most currently with the Tony Rook Band.

Graham hosted this very popular workshop last year and it was so well received we just had to bring him back again! Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged so you can receive class materials in advance and we are sure to have enough on hand the day of the workshop.

REGISTER NOW FOR JAMMING CLASS

More Workshops!

Lil Rev  -  Joining the Jam
Friday, November 15 at 6:30 pm, Conference Room E

Come spend a fun and informative hour with Uke Master and Jam leader Lil Rev as we explore the art of playing well with others. We'll talk about jam etiquette, listening, dynamics, tempo, tuning, repertoire, types of jams, spoken and unspoken jam language, playing by ear and much, much more! if you ever wanted to take part in a bluegrass or old time jam and didn't know where to begin, this hands on class will give you the tools you need to feel confident to do so. Skill level:  For all instruments. Open to all levels. 

Lil Rev  -   Harmonica From Scratch    
Friday, November 15 at 9:00 pm, Conference Room E

Join National Blues Harp (Harmonica) Champ Lil Rev for the best intro to harmonica class you'll ever find. Rev will teach all the basics for the complete beginner and have you playing in about an hours time. Learn how to hold the harp, lip position, how to get a single note, major scale, simple folk songs, chords and train sound, blues riffs and much more.
Skill level: For all festival attendees who want to learn to play harmonica. For absolute beginners or those who need a basics refresher.

Canote Brothers: 
Backing Up Fiddle Tunes In C, D and F
Saturday, November 16 at 9:30 am, Regency Room

Fit right in when you bring your uke to an old time jam! Learn several approaches to the Boom-Chuck Rhythm, and learn the all important Freight Train Strum! Then we’ll practice with a Real Live Old Old Time Fiddler!

Skill level: For all instruments. ​Be comfortable and confident with first position chords in the keys of C, D and G and able to keep time while changing between them.

Doug Lohman: What To Do When You Don’t Have a Sound Engineer Saturday, November 16 at 10 am, Conference Room B

It’s fun to listen to Doug talk about his years of experience as a professional sound engineer, the shows he has worked, and the people he has worked with. He really should write a book and I hope he does one day.

Meanwhile, in this informative workshop, Doug will demystify the process of setting up and “running sound” using recorded music through a small PA he will take you through the language and show you what happens when you do xxx, allowing you to hear the difference in real time. You’ll leave with a new confidence in running sound for your own group when you need to and a better understanding of how to work with a professional when you have that opportunity!

Joe Meyer: Bass Workshop
Saturday, November 16 at 10 am, Conference Room C

Versatile. That’s the word that describes Joe Meyer. Crossing genres as easily as changing shoes, Joe plays upright bass in several groups including bluegrass sensation Harpers Chord, Random Road, and Vista Jazz Club.

Joe's workshop will focus mainly on understanding the basic approaches to walking bass lines. That said, if you have questions about bowing techniques for the bass, Joe would be your guy to ask!

John Wallace: Fiddle Bowing
Saturday, November 16 at 11:30am, Copenhagen Room

John is a well-known fiddler and has taught Old-Time Fiddle at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor for over 20 years. He is a regular judge at fiddle contest. John's workshop will focus on bowing techniques.

Marty Marrone: Stagecraft - Go Beyond Playing Songs -- Put on A Show!
Saturday, November 16 at 1 pm, Conference Room B

Marty Marrone has been playing Bluegrass since Bill Monroe taught him how. His experience includes a stint on the road with Special Consensus as well as being active in several local bands including Tangled Roots, The High 48’s and his current project The Pale Ales Bluegrass Band, which will be on the main stage Friday night of the Fall Jam.

In “Stagecraft” Marty will bring his years of experience to bear on topics like “Doing the Bluegrass Dance” (working the single mic), connecting with the audience, and using humor to keep them engaged while the banjo is tuning. This workshop is a “must do” for anyone thinking of being the front person for a band.

Willie's American Guitars: Care and Feeding of Fine Wood Instruments
Saturday, November 16 at 1 pm, Conference Room C

The experts at Willie's American Guitars will present the care and feeding of your fine wood instruments, including humidity issues (it’s that time of year again),  cleaning, and protecting your guitar's finish - what to use and what to avoid. Bring your questions!

They may even bring along one or two of the Custom Martin Guitars Willie's ordered to commemorate their 30th anniversary!

Dave and Suzanne Rhees: Métis Fiddle Showcase
Saturday, November 16 at 1:00pm, Copenhagen Room

Dave and Suzanne Rhees will present a combination slide show and performance on the Métis fiddle tradition of the Canadian plains and northern U.S.  The unique nature of the tunes reflects the hybrid culture of the Métis people, who are descended from indigenous women and French-Canadian and Scottish fur traders.  

Dave (fiddle and guitar) and Suzanne (flute and accordion) have a duo called Bundle & Go which specializes in exploring the roots and branches of Celtic music.

Corey Mohan: Square Dance Calling Workshop
Saturday, November 16 at 2:00pm, Copenhagen Room

No experience necessary, learn some beginning calling and dancing too. Corey will also teach some 4 hand techniques. Come for the fun and bring some friends. Dancers and musicians also welcome. Corey has been a caller for 30 years with the Twin Cities Monday Night Square Dance and a frequent MBOTMA festival caller.

Canote Brothers: Old Time and Novelty Song Repertoire
Saturday, November 16 at 2 pm, Regency Room

Let’s sing our hearts out on old time classics from Charlie Pool, Riley Pucket, Uncle Dave Macon, and many more! Song Sheets, harmony ideas and back-up playing suggestions provided! Skill level: For all instruments. Know basic chords.

Jeff Wood: Making Slow Songs More Interesting
Saturday November at at 3 pm, Conference Room B

Jeff will once again put his slightly geeky knowledge of different voicings for standard chords to use in helping you take your guitar playing up a notch. You’ll come away energized and excited to hit the woodshed with your newfound skills!

Heath Loy: Banjo Workshop
Saturday, November 16 at 3 pm,  Conference Room C

Heath Loy is a seasoned and accomplished banjo player. He is a 5th generation musician representing a classic bluegrass lineage.   Proficient and tasteful, he is one of the most sought after banjo players in the Upper Midwest. In this workshop, Heath will do a deep dive into the 3 T’s of banjo playing: Timing, Taste and Tone.

U Can Jug or Nots: From a Jam to a Band
Saturday, November 16 at 3:30 pm,  Regency Room

The U Can Jug or Nots were chosen as the 2019 Duluth Battle of the Jug Bands winner on May 26. The U Can Jug or Nots’ mission is the preservation and enjoyment of jug music. It’s a combination of old timey, early country, blues, gospel and pop of the ’20s and ’30s.

They make and modify some instruments (jugs, spoons, washboard, can shakers, box drum, jingle bells) and also play ukes, guitars, uke bass, mouth harp, toys, kazoos, and so on. Who can make jug music? U Can!

Bob Douglas : Old Time Mandolin
Saturday, November 16 at 4:00pm, Copenhagen Room

Bob was an original member of the Powder Milk Biscuit Band, the Tune Jerks and the Biscuit Boys. He has played on numerous CDs and has a recent CD out called “Just Tunes.” Bob will teach Old-Time mandolin tunes and how to back them up.

Jon Garon and Mark Kreitzer:
Fitting the Guitar to the Song
Saturday, November 16 at at 6 pm, Conference Room B

Jon and Mark are at it again! They’ll discuss ways to make the guitar fit the song using different chord voicings, picking patterns and such, presented as usual with skill and humor! Jon Garon owns My Favorite Guitars, an authorized Martin dealer (www.myfavoriteguitars.com).

Clay Hess: Bluegrass Flatpicking
Saturday, November 16 at 6 pm, Conference Room C

How much do we need to say here? It’s Clay Hess, former lead guitarist for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and leader of the Clay Hess Band since 2012. How many times do you get a chance to sit in a room and talk flatpicking with a guy like this?