oldwailer
753 posts
Jun 06, 2009
5:20 PM
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I've got this terrible dilemma going--thought I'd try here for some help with it. If you have the time and interest to read all this stuff, any responses would be appreciated.
This is a line-up of classes for the 2010 Harmonica Masterclass Work-shop Weekend. I want to take every class, but I have to get it narrowed down to one a day. I took a class on Sonny Terry from Joe Filisko recently, and I know his classes to be way first-rate world class stuff on my favorite all-time players--but the other classes look great too.
If you had a chance to sign up for three real-time--all day classes as follows--only one for each day--which three would you choose? Repeated ones are the same class on different days).
Friday
1. Performance Training--Taught by David Barrett.
This day-long class focuses on essential band leading and performance skills. I’ll cover: microphone/amplifier choice and setup; song selection and working with the strengths of the particular band you’re playing with; the essential hand signals for communication with a band; the different ways to begin and end songs (and their appropriate signals); how breaks work; explore the different grooves used in blues (shuffle, slow blues, swing, rhumba, two beat, boogie, etc.) so that you can communicate to the band what you want in order to achieve the feel want (hugely important). Students attending this class will have the opportunity to work on one song with the band (with my [Dave Barrett]assistance and coaching) and then perform the song in that night’s concert! How exciting is that! It’s not mandatory for participants to play with the band, but this is a very cool opportunity. This class is for all skill level of players (even the newbie’s will get a lot out of this class).
2. Rhythm, Phrasing & Skills Assessment (Dennis Gruenling)
This class offers an entire day focusing on common areas players need development in. Class covers: rhythm playing (how to keep a deep sense of rhythm in your playing, for both improvising and accompaniment); phrasing (how to utilize space and repetition in your playing to create more powerful solos); and assessments. There’s LOTS of playing in this class, focusing on what you’re doing now and how to make it better. Dennis will be listening carefully to the students throughout the day and will be giving assessments to the students of what they need to work on to better their skills. We all feel that this will be such a valuable class that we’re offering it all three days of the workshop weekend.
3. Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) Artist Study (Joe Filisko)
Saturday
1. Performance Training (Barrett)
2. Rhythm, Phrasing & Skills Assessment (Gruenling)
3. Harp Customizing Level 2 (Kinya Pollard
4. Big Walter Horton Artist Study (Filisko)
Sunday
1. Improvising Blues Harmonica (Barrett)
This is the most important class a blues musician should take. Through time players memorize licks, solos and instrumentals to build a lick vocabulary, but no one is there to show them what to do with it when it comes time to improvise. This class guarantees you walk out the door a better soloist. Topics covered are: The art of improvising through the use of Chorus Forms and Focus Notes; Soloing Concepts; Soloing Themes (Head, Hook, Body, Etc.) and Song Analysis.
2. Rhythm, Phrasing & Skills Assessment (Gruenling)
3. Paul Butterfield Artist Study (Pollard)
4. Jimmy Reed Artist Study (Filisko)
I think the only way it could get harder is if Adam and Buddha were there with a classes Overblows and twelfth position--then my head would explode!
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Philosofy
204 posts
Jun 06, 2009
6:16 PM
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DEFINITELY go for the Big Walter class. Joe considers him to be the premier Chicago Blues harp player, and you would be studying with a master teaching the player HE considers to be THE master.
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jonsparrow
407 posts
Jun 06, 2009
6:24 PM
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where is all this taking place?
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oldwailer
755 posts
Jun 06, 2009
6:25 PM
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Yeah, I hear you, Phil--right now I'm leaning heavily toward Rice Miller, Big Walter, and Blues Improv--but SO tempting to go an all Filisko Workshop. . .
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JoshTheMagish
30 posts
Jun 06, 2009
6:27 PM
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1. Improvising Blues Harmonica (Barrett)
2. Rhythm, Phrasing & Skills Assessment (Gruenling)
3. Paul Butterfield Artist Study (Pollard)
or
3. Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) Artist Study (Joe Filisko)
is my vote
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jonsparrow
408 posts
Jun 06, 2009
7:14 PM
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dam thats to far for me.
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oldwailer
757 posts
Jun 06, 2009
9:15 PM
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Next question--my wife has said it's OK for me to register for the Workshop--what shall I get her for her birthday??
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Philosofy
205 posts
Jun 06, 2009
9:35 PM
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A full set of Suzuki Fabulous harps. If she doesn't like them, just send them to me. :)
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rustywater
53 posts
Jun 07, 2009
4:12 AM
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Old Wailer,
Forget her birthday this year and in May next year you will have the blues major big time. She will either never let you hear the end of it or have screwed you big time in the divorce courts, either way you will have paid the dues Adam was talking about 10 times over, be great for your harp playing!!!
Mind you Philosofys idea will have the same effect and you could have a new set of harps to repair in your spare time once she has smashed them over your head....
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The Gloth
83 posts
Jun 07, 2009
6:48 AM
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I think I'd go for Grueling on friday, Filisko on saturday and Barrett on sunday...
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ChrisA
14 posts
Jun 07, 2009
8:05 AM
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Big Walter Horton, no questions asked.
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Buddha
601 posts
Jun 07, 2009
8:16 AM
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Ray,
Having worked with you, knowing what you need to learn and the music you like, also knowing all of the teachers personally, think you would most benefit from Dennis Gruenling session on friday.
Then study with david on his performance training on saturday.
Sunday - Improvising blues harmonica.
You already know how to properly build a harp so don't bother with that session.
As great as Joe is a playing and teaching, I don't think his offerings are your bag.
I will introduce you to Joe at SPAH so you can talk on a more personal level.
Of course, you could come and study with me for a week and I'll show you all of that stuff and tailor it to youy style of playing... :-P
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oldwailer
758 posts
Jun 07, 2009
10:55 AM
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Oh, man--there just ain't no wrong way to go here.
Chris--your suggestions are compelling--but you might underestimate just slightly about how much I love the playing of Sonny Boy II--which is the one class I kind of considered to be a non-negotiable when I started this thread.
Then, you had to go and throw in the study with you for a week--which is a good point too--but just makes this whole thing harder to decide!
Thank you all for chipping in here--and especially thanks Chris for taking the time to tailor a solution for me.
I've got some time to mull this over for a while, so I'll get it worked out later--after my head stops exploding. . .
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MJ
44 posts
Jun 07, 2009
11:35 AM
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oldwailer"Next question--my wife has said it's OK for me to register for the Workshop--what shall I get her for her birthday??"
An ironing board is what you should get her. That way when she's not ironing the laundry, she can use it to waterboard you and find out what really went on in San Jose!! lol.
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Tiandrézio
11 posts
Jun 07, 2009
12:57 PM
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"explore the different grooves used in blues (shuffle, slow blues, swing, rhumba, two beat, boogie, etc.) Two beat groove?Never heard before,can you tell me some songs that use that groove.I think it's hard to make a choice but i would choose David Barrett lessons on how to improvise.Good luck!
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snakes
252 posts
Jun 08, 2009
12:14 PM
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Friday => Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) Artist Study (Joe Filisko)
Saturday => Big Walter Horton Artist Study (Filisko)
Sunday => Improvising Blues Harmonica (Barrett)
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Zhin
314 posts
Jun 08, 2009
11:47 PM
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Ray IS a huge fan of SBW. Whenever I hear Bye Bye Birdy I think of him. lol :)
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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The Gloth
87 posts
Jun 09, 2009
4:30 AM
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Two Beat Groove = Mannish Boy ?
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Blind Melon
25 posts
Jun 10, 2009
7:29 PM
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Oldwailer,
I almost went to the 2008 Workshop and I went through the indecision that you are going through. Sadly, my schedule didn't allow me to make it (previously scheduled family vacation conflict).
I am tentatively planning on going to the 2010 Workshop and the classes I am planning to sign up for are:
Friday: Sonny Boy II (One of my favorites)
Saturday: Big Walter Horton (My favorite)
Sunday: Improvising Blues Harmonica (I have Dave's "Improvising Blues Harmonica" book/cd) and it is something I need work on.
I hope I can swing the trip. I look forward to meeting you. You are infamous around here.
Oh, any chance you will bring your guitar along?
Last Edited by on Jun 10, 2009 7:33 PM
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oldwailer
762 posts
Jun 10, 2009
10:14 PM
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Well, Melon, I didn't take a guitar to the 2009 one--and I found that I was so busy I never had time to pick anyway--I literally played harp until my throat was sore.
My wife just bought me the 2010 Masterclass today, for my birthday--so I'll see you there--and I'll bring a guitar this time.
I think at this point I'll take Friday: Dennis Gruenling--Saturday: Big Walter Sunday: Improvising with Dave.
I know Buddha is right and I need the Performance training one too--but it's pretty hard to pass up a MASTER of harp teaching the player he considers to be THE Master. I know a few of SBII's licks already--so I'll just have to figure him out for myself.
I still don't have to choose for a few days, when I get the email with the registration forms--so it could change--all of these options are really good. . .
Last Edited by on Jun 10, 2009 10:28 PM
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