Enviroguy - Posted - 09/29/2009:  09:25:21

This is to let all hangout folks in the Toronto area know that a workshop is being put together in Toronto for sometime (tba) in November. It will focus on banjo techniques for accompanying fiddle in fiddle-banjo duets. If you have any interest in this planned half-day workshop in Toronto's west end, please chime in and I'll get your contact info and keep you posted
Thanks!
Dennis (aka Enviroguy)

Edited by - gottasmilealot on 10/21/2009 18:09:07

steve davis - Posted - 09/29/2009:  11:59:25

I'd love to go to that,but I can't get away this year.

swiggin - Posted - 09/30/2009:  09:39:13

I am definitely interested in the event, especially as I plan on moving the the west end soon. Just a couple of questions, not that it's imperative, but who will be teaching the event, and what sort of format will it be? Anyways, thanks for bringing to my attention.

Seth

Couchie - Posted - 09/30/2009:  15:26:56

Sounds like something I'd like to be involved in.

Don.

O=='=(::}

http://www.doncouchie.com

Enviroguy - Posted - 09/30/2009:  19:23:56

Seth and all, Sorry to have left out relevant details, since the teachers are still not totally confirmed. They will be the very best fiddler and banjo player on the Ontario bluegrass scene. I'll firm this up shortly - it is beginning to look like we'll have enough interested students to go ahead! Stay tuned!
Dennis

Paul Ryan - Posted - 09/30/2009:  20:02:14

Thanks Seth. Do you know if that would be a weekend or weekday? Sounds interesting..
Thanks

www.ryantunes.com

Paul Ryan - Posted - 09/30/2009:  20:03:34

Oops meant thanks to Enviroguy. Oh heck, thx both!!

www.ryantunes.com

axsis - Posted - 10/01/2009:  04:08:40

I would be interested as well


Cheers!
Don

Enviroguy - Posted - 10/01/2009:  05:09:11

Paul and all, I am aiming for a weekend day in November, likely a Saturday. I could do a poll of interested people though to see what the most popular dates would be, once the teachers have given me some suggested dates. I know a lot of interested folks are working weekdays, so a weekend seems like the most likely choice.
Dennis

CannedCorn - Posted - 10/05/2009:  09:52:53

I would be interested in that. I work shifts so I may or may not be available on a weekend, but once you've firmed the date up, I'll be able to tell. Keep me in the loop, though!

Ron Bellis - Posted - 10/05/2009:  10:14:12

Count me in. Thanks for trying to put this together Enviroguy. We need way more of this type of thing in Toronto.

Enviroguy - Posted - 10/08/2009:  06:52:51

Folks, the plans are gelling nicely for the Toronto workshop. The date has now been tentatively set as November 21st in Toronto. The teachers will be Chris Quinn (BHO "Forum Fixture") and John Showman on fiddle - both of the Foggy Hogtown Boys. I can't say enough good things about the musicianship of these two guys, and I'm looking forward as much as anyone to hearing them and learning from them at this workshop.

(Check out the Foggies' website at www.foggyhogtownboys.com for some music samples.) There was a good example (mp3) of North Carolina Breakdown as a fiddle-banjo duet in there somewhere, but I've lost it! If anybody finds it, please let me know!)
I'm looking forward to meeting some of you folks on November 21.

DD

Chris Quinn - Posted - 10/08/2009:  08:51:06

I am looking forward to this fiddle/banjo workshop. I encourage folks who expect to attend to post a wish list of topics to cover. I will try to address the ideas in a cohesive manner and will use discretion to keep it all on track. I've already got some ideas, but I would like to consider yours too.

So, what are some things we should cover in this fiddle/banjo workshops?

Chris Quinn
www.foggyhogtownboys.com

Enviroguy - Posted - 10/08/2009:  09:01:19

Chris, there appear to be a variety of "devices" in banjo backup for fiddle that you can choose to use. I guess there might be a baseline backup that might be a bit dull, but that you could use all the way through the backup section. You might also jump to an up-the-neck section, start chunking, do some fills, do some rolls with descending notes etc.
I hope you cover: what options there are and some of the thinking that you go through in deciding which to use when in your backup. You might also illustrate "don't's" as well as "do's" of the backup.
Just my two cents worth!
Dennis

Chris Quinn - Posted - 10/08/2009:  09:21:55

Dennis,

Good points all.

It may also serve me well if students could rate themselves as beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

BEGINNING LEVEL: You have the most basic skills. You can pick a little, and know some chords and/or scales, but haven't played much with others.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 1: Beyond beginning level, you can keep rhythm and play a few basic melodies in slow jams. You know basic chord shapes, a few scales, and some common chords in a few keys.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 2: Almost ready for advanced, you can keep good rhythm and take breaks while jamming with others. You know some major and minor scales and the Nashville Number System.

ADVANCED LEVEL: You have some performance experience. You can play solos and backup in a band or jam setting in time and mostly up to speed. You know common chords in several keys, the Nashville Number System, scales, etc. For harmony singing, you can hear a note and match it with your voice – that is, hold a tune.



Chris Quinn
www.foggyhogtownboys.com

yardapeJV - Posted - 10/08/2009:  21:14:23

Wow, I was just cruising this site looking for advice on a banjo mute and stumbled upon this post. I happen to live in the west end of Toronto, and I happened to have joined a banjo and fiddle group today. What an odd coincidence! Needless to say I plan on attending, so please keep me in the loop about it!

I've only been playing banjo for a month and a half, but I am an serious guitar player and singer and I've been playing banjo almost every day. But I guess I'd still be in the beginning level...

Enviroguy - Posted - 10/21/2009:  09:43:05

I hope everyone who posted on this topic has now received a final announcement on the workshop from me. If not, please let me know or check out my home page for some further information. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. We're about half full so far... lots of room, but the calendar is closing in on November 21st. So if you've been thinking of coming, please let me know as soon as possible.
Dennis

Enviroguy - Posted - 11/01/2009:  03:32:09

Hi All,
Just a short note to remind you that the Banjo – Fiddle workshop is less than three weeks away – November 21st. Several people who expressed interest in the workshop still haven’t signed up. I’d like to get a few more people for the workshop – there are at least 4 more spaces.
Chris Quinn reminded me to let people know that the banjo backup for fiddle that he’ll cover also works for backing up singers, mandolin or other soloing instruments, even (you guessed it..) another banjo. 90% of the time in a band situation the banjo is in a role of backing up, so learning your options is important groundwork for becoming a skilled and appreciated player. Chris is among the best backup banjo players I’ve heard and reflects what he always instills in his students - that as a musician in a jam or a band situation, you are carrying out a musical “conversation” - never drowning out or excluding others. Thanks to those who have expressed interest and do sign up as soon as possible.

SJL - Posted - 11/01/2009:  05:37:09

Enviroguy,

A couple of questions. Do you know what time this will be? I assume that it would be fairly early, as I believe that the Foggies will have resumed their Saturday afternoon gig at the Dakota by then.

Where will it be? If it is close to the Dakota it would be a good opportunity to complete the day by hearing Chris and John in a performance setting.

What will the cost be?

Will Chris be spending any time on what tone ring is best to use for backing up fiddles?

"If the woman is alive at the end of the song, it ain't Bluegrass".

2007 Hatfield Walnut Custom

1976 (?) Aria Pro Tree of Life