poindexter - Posted - 08/01/2010:  21:17:01

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Is there anyone on the BHO who lives in Portland, OR who is interested in taking on a clawhammer student? I'd like to take regular lessons a few times a month. I took Leela Grace's class recently and would like to keep learning new stuff. I seem to stay more motivated to practice with some structure.

ScottK - Posted - 08/02/2010:  07:50:40

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Hi Matthew,

You can find a list of clawhammer teachers in Portland on Bill Martin's web site:
bubbaguitar.com/teachers.html

Also, Maggie Lind teaches clawhammer banjo in the context of a stringband class that she, Patrick Lind, and Sophie Vitells teach several times a year in 8 week sessions. If you sign up for Bill Martin's (more or less weekly) email newsletter at his web site you'll see a note whenever they kick off their fall session. I sat in on the first couple of sessions of that class when they started it a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

Scott

poindexter - Posted - 08/02/2010:  15:12:29

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Thanks, Scott. I'll check that out.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/02/2010:  21:20:51

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I live a little NE of Vancouver, Wa.
If you can stand a bit of a drive maybe
we can visit and see if it's a fit. You can
e-mail me if you like: r.d.lunceford@earthlink.net

BTW I spent quite a few years clawhammering
on a '74 RB-250.

omiimii - Posted - 08/02/2010:  22:01:04

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quote:

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Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford

I live a little NE of Vancouver, Wa.
If you can stand a bit of a drive maybe
we can visit and see if it's a fit. You can
e-mail me if you like: r.d.lunceford@earthlink.net

BTW I spent quite a few years clawhammering
on a '74 RB-250.

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you'd be a lucky person to take lessons from mr. lunceford.
if i had a car, i'd consider the three hour drive.

poindexter - Posted - 08/02/2010:  22:54:09

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Thanks for the reply, Mr Lunceford. I just sent you an email. Brush prairie is plenty close!

Clawdan - Posted - 08/03/2010:  07:45:06

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I'd definitely go see RD!
Dan

PS, Say, how many folks would be interested in a workshop up there this fall?

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Edited by - Clawdan on 08/03/2010 07:46:05

ScottK - Posted - 08/03/2010:  08:21:55

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Hi Dan,

Might be hard to guage interest level in a Portland workshop from this board, as it seems that only a few of the Portland old time crowd hang out on the Hangout. But when Adam Hurt offered a banjo workshop here he drew about a dozen folk. He offered a repertoire class focused on tunes from West Virginia.

Scott

Mr. Bill - Posted - 08/03/2010:  23:49:08

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I also endorse RD Lunceford for lessons. I took a couple from him - it's a longer drive for me...but he's right on! Great technique. Great CDs, too. In Portland there is Leela Grace of the Grace family. She teaches out of Artichoke Music in Portland. Also there is Curt Alsobrook, a right fine frailer who teaches out of Pioneer Music.
Clawdan, I would go to a workshop should one be scheduled in the greater Portland-Vancouver area. In fact you might check with RD and discuss the annual Portland Old Time Music Festival, happening every year in January. Information on the festival is found at bubbaguitar.com and Bill Martin, who operates that site, is one of the organizers of the festival. It would be outstanding to have you at that festival.
ScottK did us a great service bringing Allen Hurt to town. That was a great concert.

daveh - Posted - 08/04/2010:  07:57:54

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Scott has brought many great shows to Portland and I for one am very grateful.

Dave

ScottK - Posted - 08/04/2010:  10:37:50

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Thanks for the kudos guys, but for the record I haven't really brought anyone to town. I've just offered to host house concerts (and in a couple cases workshops) for interesting old time players who happen to be passing through town. But it's surprising how much good music you can see this way. Over the last three or so years we've been priveledged to see Reed Martin, Brett Ratliff, Foghorn Duo, Rafe and Clelia Stefanini, Frank Fairfield, Adam Hurt, Evie Ladin, the Macrae Sisters, Patrick and Maggie Lind, Alex Caton, and Carla Gover among others.

Dan, I'm not really a producer/promoter, but if you end up coming up to Portland and need a space for a workshop and/or house concert my living room is available.

Cheers, Scott

prtidwell - Posted - 08/04/2010:  11:08:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mr. Bill

I also endorse RD Lunceford for lessons. I took a couple from him - it's a longer drive for me...but he's right on! Great technique. Great CDs, too. In Portland there is Leela Grace of the Grace family. She teaches out of Artichoke Music in Portland. Also there is Curt Alsobrook, a right fine frailer who teaches out of Pioneer Music.
Clawdan, I would go to a workshop should one be scheduled in the greater Portland-Vancouver area. In fact you might check with RD and discuss the annual Portland Old Time Music Festival, happening every year in January. Information on the festival is found at bubbaguitar.com and Bill Martin, who operates that site, is one of the organizers of the festival. It would be outstanding to have you at that festival.
ScottK did us a great service bringing Allen Hurt to town. That was a great concert.

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I've actually considered a pilgrimage to Portland, specifically to recieve instruction from Curt Alsobrook. He's a super nice guy and incredible clawhammerist, and I never pass up an opportunity to recommend him to folks.

He was the banjo player for the late High on the Hog String Band (many free shows available for download at archive.com), and has done some recent duet work with a mado/guitar player named Josh Cole. You can sample (or buy) their CD (Polecat's Den) at cdbaby.com.

His playing style is probably not as "traditional" as most of the old time banjo crowd, as he frequently carries the melody and takes solos way up the neck. But regardless, it was his style that really got me fired up about the banjo and old time music in general. He's worth a look, for sure.

Good luck!

Paul

ScottK - Posted - 08/04/2010:  12:09:18

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Hi Paul,

I gotta agree that Curt Alsobrook is a rock solid clawhammer banjo player and all around great guy. Lately he's been playing more guitar in the Quality Shine jug band and the Rabbit Foot old time string band. I think he still offers banjo lessons, though.

Scott

poindexter - Posted - 08/04/2010:  13:04:46

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Well, RD seems like a really nice guy. I'm gonna meet him on Friday and I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for contacting me, RD, and thanks to everyone who posted suggestions. I'll probably try to make contact with Curt Alsobrook sometime in the future and might do another lesson with Leela Grace when she gets back in town. Time for me to practice more and start getting involved in what looks to be a great old time scene here in Portland!

daveh - Posted - 08/04/2010:  13:26:30

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Yes Dan, please play at Scott's house!!!!

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Edited by - daveh on 08/04/2010 13:27:12

Dock Jekel - Posted - 08/07/2010:  20:59:23

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Hi ScottK! It was fun jamming with you last Saturday in NOR CAL. Poindexters' right when observes that there is a great old time scene in Portland. I admit, I'm kinda jeolous. And according to Mapquest, RD's a 9hr 49m drive for me :^)