Steeped in the traditions of Old-time and Bluegrass music, which are innately interactive and improvisational, our Instrument + Ensemble Program helps students ages 8-18 learn the mandolin, banjo, guitar, fiddle, and/or upright bass as well as how to play in combined-instrument ensembles. Students attend a 50-minute group instrument class and 50-minute combined-instrument class each week.
Read our unique Philosophy of Education here or learn more about each instrument here. See schedule, financial and registration information here.
Elements of Mandolin Instruction
Beginner levels
Introduction to Bluegrass-style mandolin playing
Proper technique and fundamentals
Efficient right-hand alternate picking technique
basic open position major and minor chords
accompaniment styles and lead playing
Bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes
Introduction to song forms and taking improvised solo breaks
Intermediate levels
Confident jam participation with players of all levels
Advancing improvisation concepts including Arpeggio Patterns, Ornaments and Embellishment
‘Chop’ rhythm playing and Tremolo Technique
Speed building, major, minor and blues scales, improvisation, crosspicking, and more.
Elements of Banjo Instruction
Beginner levels
Introduction to bluegrass-style banjo playing
Basic technique for both hands including basic right-hand patterns or ‘rolls’
Standard bluegrass repertoire
Lead and backup playing
Intermediate levels
Confident jam participation with players of all levels
Accompaniment styles and taking solo breaks
Up-the-Neck playing for improvisation and accompaniment
Speed building, tone production, solid time, improvisation, single-string and melodic-style leads, and more
Elements of Guitar Instruction
Beginner levels
Flatpicking style of acoustic guitar playing used in most traditional American folk music, and especially bluegrass
Basic left and right-hand technique
Efficiency, tone and speed with a pick
basic open position major and minor chords
Introduction to accompaniment styles and lead playing
bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes
introduction to following song forms and taking improvised solo breaks.
Intermediate levels
Advancing improvisation concepts including Arpeggio Patterns, Ornaments and Embellishment
Progressing technique, accompaniment styles and taking solo breaks
Comfortable jam participation with players of all levels
Speed building, tone production, developing solid time, major, minor and blues scales, improvisation, crosspicking, and more.
Elements of Fiddle Instruction
Beginner levels
Introduction to bluegrass and old-time music
Proper technique and fundamentals including bow hold and left hand position
Standard bluegrass and old-time repertoire
Introduction to following song forms and taking improvised solos
“backup fiddle” playing, using double stops and shuffle bowing patterns to accompany other instruments.
Intermediate levels
Advance fiddle backup styles (“Chop” and more)
Introduction to Classical Violin techniques (Vibrato, Tremolo, Spiccato, etc.)
Advancing improvisation concepts including Arpeggio Patterns, Ornaments and Embellishment
Subtleties of violin tone production and efficient technique
Elements of Bass Instruction
Beginner levels
Introduction to bluegrass and old-time music
Proper left-hand technique and playing position
Arco (with French-style bow) and Pizzicato (Plucking style used in folk and Jazz) techniques
Standard bluegrass and old-time repertoire
Introduction to following song forms and taking improvised solos
Intermediate levels
Intermediate to Advanced Bowing Techniques
Upper positions of the bass include Thumb Position playing
Syncopated Grooves and Rhythmic Pizzicato Playing
Accompaniment Techniques in Alternate Styles (Blues, Brazilian, Gypsy Jazz & More)
Elements of Combined-instrument Ensemble
Appropriate for mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, cello, bass, hammered dulcimer dobro, & vocalists
Group playing etiquette
Repertoire learning
Improvisation
Backup styles & Interactive Accompaniment approaches
Listening and Group Interaction