In partnership with the Metro Parks & WCBE 90.5 FM The Columbus Folk Music Society presents: the 2016 Central Ohio Folk Festival May 7 & 8 Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park (Indian Ridge Area) Continuous concerts Dance Tent Open Jamming and over 48 music workshops! Registration is on-site and required for attending workshops. Where else can you learn all this stuff for $20 in a weekend? Visit the Store/ Registration Tent to register. Visit www. columbusfolkmusicsociety.org for a listing of the many other festival events. A multitude of workshops on: guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, song writing and more. Also some how-to workshops on: stage craft, playing by ear, home recording and music production, sound gear, choosing and taking care of your instrument with some other things mixed in as well. We are proud to say that most of our workshop presenters also perform and teach music in real life. Well, its all real. Workshop Listings SATURDAY KEY: Beg = for beginners; Adv Beg = advanced beginners; Int = intermediate level; Adv = Advanced players; All = all levels. Workshops last 50 minutes. 11:00 AM SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Basics of Purchasing an Instrument Josh Wydick Participants will learn things to look for when purchasing an instrument, things such as: how to identify structural issues (especially for used instruments); proper sizing (finding an appropriately sized instrument); what makes an instrument a good beginner instrument ; what to look for in new instruments. All Tent 1 Songwriting Challenge: Part I Dave Hawkins A kernel of an idea can be the beginning of a wonderful song. Attendees bring ideas for songs; rudiments will be covered and a challenge will be made to return the next day to the Songwriting Challenge: Part II workshop to take the beginnings of your song workup to completion. Adv Beg Tent 2
Old-time and Cajun Guitar Randy Markey Old-time fiddlers and banjo players may seem to get the glory, but good, solid backup guitars are always in demand. Veteran guitarist Randy Markey will teach fundamental techniques of playing good rhythm guitar for Old- time and Cajun music. Adv Beg/Int Tent 3 Sea Chanty Workshop - with New Sea Shanties! Andy Beyer This is an introduction to singing Sea Shanties. With the instructor as Shanty Man, and a lead sheet of choruses, we ll cover seven more familiar shanties (and maybe more if time permits). All are invited! All Tent 4 12:00 NOON SATURDAY WORKSHOPS A Christmas Parody on the Mountain Dulcimer Laura Elder Christmas in May? Of course. Add to your repertoire early a few somewhat original arrangements to: Christmas in Ohio, Jolly Joyful, and The Friendly Beast Jubilee. Capo required. Int Tent 1 Cajun Jam Workshop (All instruments) Creole du Nord (band) A great opportunity to play along and learn about Cajun music. Bring your acoustic instruments and join in. Most songs are in the key of C or G and they are easy to learn. Washboards, scrub boards and spoons are also welcome. Come join Creole du Nord (Creoles of the North) to enjoy this great music in an intimate setting. All Tent 2 Stage Craft: Turning Music into Performance The Matchsellers (band) While music is the main focus of most concerts, there is a LOT a performer can do without touching an instrument to enhance the experience. Learn how to use stage banter, humor, audience interaction, storytelling and other techniques to effectively connect with your audience and craft a performance. Handout provided. All Tent 3 Moving through American (including Native American) Folk Music History Bing Futch (festival Headliner) With the Appalachian mountain dulcimer and Native American flute, two instruments indigenous to North America, Bing will take participants on a trip through the haunting ceremonial tones of First Nations people, the Irish and Scottish tunes of early settlers, the rhythms, work songs, spirituals and blues handed down by African descendants of slaves and the melting pot of musical influences brought to this country by immigrants. Participants will be brought right up to the present as the evolution of folk music extends into 2 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
the realms of pop, rock and even dance cultures. It s a lively and engaging presentation that will have attendees singing, clapping, dancing and smiling, for folk music is truly the music of the people. All Tent 4 1:00 PM SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Cajun / Creole Fiddle Mark Palms Learn the popular styles of fiddling found in Southwestern Louisiana. So closely related to old-time fiddling, this style incorporates slides, blues notes and a driving Cajun rhythm. Also learn about jamming and seconding or playing chords on the fiddle in the Cajun and Creole style. Participants will soon be jamming in this workshop. Adv Beg/Int Tent 1 Basics of Home Recording & Music Production Brian Szuch An introduction to the world of home recording and music production. We will explore the basics of required hardware, equipment and software as well as simple tricks and techniques to help maximize your results. All Tent 2 Playing Effective Rhythm Guitar The Matchsellers In many forms of folk music, the acoustic rhythm guitar is both an essential and often overlooked member of the ensemble. Learn how to play guitar in a way that enhances the sounds of those around you, while still having fun yourself. There will be a focus on using bass runs, dynamics and rhythms in old-time, bluegrass, blues and folkstyle guitar. Adv Beg/Int Tent 3 Hymn Sing on the Mountain Dulcimer Laura Elder Adding chords to simple tab arrangements. Songs covered: Blessed Assurance; How Great Though Art; and Standing in the Need of Prayer. Adv Beg Tent 4 2:00 PM SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Basic Fiddling Carol Palms Fiddle music is an integral part of American culture and history. This workshop will help you develop smart fiddle skills that can lead you into the style of playing that is the inspiration for modern bluegrass, folk, and country music. Adv Beg Tent 1 Understanding Modes (Related Scales) All Instruments Jim R. Miller What s in a mode? Mountain dulcimer players tune Ionian or Mixolydian. Old-time fiddlers in a jam call a modal tune; banjo 3
players (and sometimes fiddlers) discuss the best way to retune for that mode. We ll work through some tunes in modes commonly used in folk, Irish, and Old-time to give you an understanding of the modes and how to play tunes using them. We ll play tunes in Ionian, Aeolian, Dorian and Mixolydian modes. Sheet music will be provided (standard notation) with simple mountain dulcimer tab. Adv Beg Tent 2 The Folk Music Revival of the 60s Mustard s Retreat & Bill Cohen A combination of exploration, interactive dialogue and questions and answers with reminiscences about what we collectively remember from this time period in folk history and how it changed and informed who we all became. Could include a couple of songs! All Tent 3 Mountain Dulcimer Jamming Without a Net Bing Futch (Headliner) Learn how to jam by the seat of your pants with confidence! Learn how to play tunes that you don t know. Rhythm and melody creation, harmony, counter-point, chops and arrangement support are all covered in this workshop that focuses on improvisational skills. Capo required. Int/Adv Tent 4 6.4 3:00 PM SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Learning the Songwriting Process & Singing Harmonies with The Underhills The Underhills (performing band) Learn how the individual members of the band work together in the songwriting process from how the original song idea might start, to working up the score and lyrics to putting on the finishing touches. Also learn special tips for harmonizing seamlessly as members of a band. Adv Beg Tent 1 Intermediate/Advanced Bluegrass Fiddle Caleb Powers This workshop will explain, demonstrate, and offer hands on opportunities to learn various skills and techniques to build your proficiency on bluegrass fiddle. Int/Adv Tent 2 Building Your Performing Career David Tamulevich None of us would be here unless music was an essential part of our lives. We will discuss the many ways music can enhance your life (from hobby to community to performing in public) and, should you decide you want to make music a career, tips and steps you can take to help you along your way. All Tent 3 46.4 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
Basic Autoharp Bill Schilling The purpose of this workshop is to introduce participants to the autoharp, acquainting them with different harps, playing styles, setups, simple repairs, practice hints, and/or resources. Participants will hear and use different playing styles. Beg Tent 4 4:00 PM SATURDAY WORKSHOPS Flatpicker s First Grade Wolf (aka Marie Smith) Make that first step beyond playing rhythm guitar and learn a few basic bluegrass style licks and bass runs. From string bending to hammer-ons and pull-offs, start sticking notes into your strumming. No sheet music or tablature required just fingers, strings and ears! Bring a capo. Adv Beg Tent 1 Intermediate/Advanced Bluegrass Mandolin Caleb Powers This workshop will explain, demonstrate, and offer hands on opportunities to learn various skills and techniques to build your proficiency on bluegrass mandolin. Int/Adv Tent 2 The Craft & Technique of Playing Banjo Seth Swingle (performer) This workshop will be a hands-on instruction in the craft and technique of playing and may include banjo-specific repertoire and show pieces. Adv Beg Tent 3 Noodling to Make Music (All Instruments) Brett Ridgeway This is simply a FUN workshop that will teach you to make music, not only on your instrument, but even on an instrument you have never even played! As a group, we will put together original pieces and be jamming and playing WITH NO PRESSURE at all! If jamming makes you nervous, this will knock that fear away giving you new freedom and fun! All Tent 4 SUNDAY 10:00 AM SUNDAY WORKSHOPS One Irish Jig; Reel & Polka (Key D) on Mountain Dulcimer Andy Beyer In this workshop we will learn the difference between these three essential pieces of Irish music and work on the tempo of each. This may be new to some of you, and we will be working at 1/4 to 1/2 speed, so as to get the gist of each piece and actually be able to play them. Int Tent 1 Whistling by Ear; Penny Whistle & Flute Jim R. Miller We ll learn how to whistle by ear. Once you know the D-scale on your 6.5 6.5 5
instrument or by whistling, you can get started playing (or whistling) by ear. We ll also cover the basics of playing the whistle and there will be a few sanitized D-whistle loaners available for use. Beginner flute and recorder players are also welcome. All Tent 2 Basics of Sound Equipment for the Traveling Musician Brian Szuch An introduction to the components, setup, and maintenance of sound equipment, instruments, and related gear for the traveling musician. All Tent 3 Learning to Play by Ear (All Instruments) Brett Ridgeway FREE YOURSELF from the dependency of reading music, standard notation or tab to learn a tune! This is a HANDS-ON workshop for all instruments and will help you to learn and understand your instrument from the inside out. Using simple ear training exercises and playing a simple scale, you will be picking out tunes by ear by the end of this workshop. All Tent 4 6.6 11:00 AM SUNDAY WORKSHOPS Starting from Scratch on the Mountain Dulcimer Linda Sigismondi This is a workshop for the very beginner. Participants will be shown how to tune the mountain dulcimer, how to find notes, and how to strum. Participants will also learn how to play several easy melodies. DAD or DAA tuning. Beg Tent 1 Co-Writing & Incorporating Storytelling into Song Mustard s Retreat (performing duo) Songwriting can be an intensely personal thing! It allows you total artistic freedom, but it limits you to your own vision. Working with someone else can expand your palette and make a better song. We will explore that exciting process as well as how to make it a successful experience. All Tent 2 Lead Soloing and Improvisation on Guitar Brian Szuch A unique method of developing solo, improvisational, and accompaniment skills on guitar by maximizing basic chord information you already know. We ll help unlock the fingerboard and teach ways to develop simple phrases into musical passages for leads and solos. The workshop will be very interactive. Adv Beg Tent 3 Learning to Play the Native American Flute Bing Futch (Headliner) This beautiful, haunting and expressive instrument dates back 4,000 66.6 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
years on the North American continent. Originally used in courtship, later in ceremonies, and more recently in ensemble performance, the Native American flute now enjoys great popularity in all types of music. In this workshop you ll learn the basics: flute anatomy, how to hold it, breath control, major and minor scales, ornamentation techniques and how to discover your very own spirit song. You ll be surprised at just how easy it is to play! If you don t have a flute, there will have a limited supply of loaners (also available for purchase). Key does not matter if you wish to bring your own. Beg to Int Tent 4 12:00 NOON WORKSHOPS Fiddle for Beginners Henry Barnes Beginner fiddle addresses the fundamentals of American fiddling by teaching basic bowing patterns that are used in traditional North American dance music. The class will consist of tune-up, presentation on bowing, and a tune will be taught for each bowing pattern. A few loaners will be available. Beg Tent 1 Intro to the Bodhran Rick & Hillary Wagner Participants will learn how to: hold the bodhran (a Celtic frame drum) and tipper (beater) as well as how to play basic rhythms for hornpipes, jigs and reels. Pizza boxes (makeshift drum) and beaters will be available for use by participants. All Tent 2 Traditional Banjo Styles Seth Swingle This presentation will be hands-on and topics will include the many traditional banjo styles which include: minstrel stroke-style, claw hammer, two-finger thumb lead, three-finger, and up-picking. Adv Beg/Int Tent 3 Songwriting Challenge: Part II Dave Hawkins This workshop is a continuation of the workshop Songwriting Challenge: Part I offered Saturday morning. Bring your song workup back and you will work together with the others to help bring your song along the path to completion. Adv Beg Tent 4 1:00 PM SUNDAY WORKSHOPS Songwriting: Finding Your Voice in the Creative Process Steve Dawson Steve will talk about the creative process, the craft and art of writing and performing original songs, and ways to unlock each writer s unique voice. Using his own songs as examples, he ll explore inspiration, follow-through, crafting, editing and arranging, as well 7
as the building blocks of all songs: chords, melody, harmony, rhythm and lyrics. Questions will be encouraged! All Tent 1 Irish Fiddle Tunes with Ornaments Rick & Hillary Wagner This workshop is designed for intermediate or more advanced Irish fiddlers as well as those who are new to Irish fiddling. The class will work on an Irish jig, hornpipe, and reel and learn appropriate bowing technique and stylistic ornaments. Int/Adv Tent 2 Introduction to Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar John Sherman Introduction to playing Celtic tunes using DADGAD tuning and demonstrating its advantages. Demonstration of the various dance related tune types (reels, jigs, hornpipes, airs). Tablature and notation of some popular tunes will be available. All Tent 3 Care and Feeding of Your Stringed Instrument Josh Wydick (luthier) Students will learn basic maintenance such as: changing strings, cleaning the instrument and how to identify issues that should be addressed such as fret-wear, buzzing and cracks. All Tent 4 2:00 PM SUNDAY WORKSHOPS Guitar for Beginners Caleb Powers Participants will learn the basics on how to play the guitar. A few loaners will be available. Beg Tent 1 Advanced Old-time Fiddle Henry Barnes This workshop will discuss the nuances that make tunes and their players special with a concentration on rhythmic styles as well as bowing, intonation and practice methods. Int/Adv Tent 2 Unique Banjo Tunes with Obscure Tunings Seth Swingle Seth will teach unique banjo tunes in obscure tunings from musicians like Fred Cockerham, Hobart Smith, Banjo Bill Cornett, W.L. Gregory and Matokie Slaughter. Int/Adv Tent 3 Mountain Dulcimer The Oh! Of It Bing Futch (festival Headliner) More than playing the mountain dulcimer, you want to express yourself through the instrument just as you would express yourself by saying something. Your voice has a rise and fall, certain words are accented, there s a speeding up and slowing down all tied to your emotions. Your music can be the same way, and should be. We ll go 8 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
over the many different ways to achieve expression through your playing including techniques like: hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides, bends, vibrato, palming, harmonics and more. Beg to Int Tent 4 6.8 3:00 PM SUNDAY WORKSHOPS Playing Harmony on Mountain Dulcimer Linda Sigismondi In this workshop participants will start with a simple song and will be shown how to make harmonies using octaves, thirds and fifths. Rounds will also be explored as a method of harmonizing. Handout provided. (DAD tuning) Adv Beg Tent 1 Drama of Drop D Tuning on Guitar Wolf (aka Marie Smith) Learn the tuning and some quick chord forms and licks for Drop D alternate tuning on the guitar. Includes how to play a deep, rolling bass accompaniment to any key. Bring a capo. Adv Beg Tent 2 Canoodling Your Noodle (All Instruments) Brett Ridgeway In this workshop participants will understand how to play without relying on what is written on a musically-prescribed piece of paper! This is not a tune workshop, but takes learning much farther, teaching you to mix it up, learning to improvise and embellish on the fly. If you play any tune ten times through, you will learn the techniques and skills to play it ten different ways, never having to play the tune in the same way twice. Handout provided. All Tent 3 Songs of Tom Paxton Bill Schilling The purpose of this workshop is to share some of the songs written by Tom Paxton (who stopped full-time touring in 2015). Paxton s songs have been covered by many people over the years. Come prepared to sing and play along on old favorites as well as less familiar Paxton songs (handouts provided), or choose to lead one with the group. All Tent 4 About our 2016 Festival Workshop Presenters BARNES, HENRY (Columbus, OH). Henry has been playing fiddle most of his life. His teachers include Ginny Christopherson and Bobby Taylor. His repertoire includes the vast old-time style of American folk fiddle with a focus on the fiddle styles of West Virginia and the Ohio River Valley and integrates the Suzuki method into his approach to learning folk music. Henry is also a music instructor. 9
BEYER, ANDY (Worthington, OH) www.hardtackers.com. Andy is a Mountain Dulcimer player and instructor and has been involved with the Central Ohio Folk Festival since its inception. He has been associated with the CAP program at OSU and the Upper Arlington Learning & Leisure program. Andy holds two degrees in Education from Youngstown State in addition to a degree in Instructional Design that he has used in his music education programs. DAWSON, STEVE (Chicago, IL) www.stevedawsonmusic.com. Steve has been writing songs for over 25 years, has performed all over the U.S. and Europe with his band Dolly Varden and as a solo artist, and has been called one of the most underrated songwriters in American music. Dawson has taught songwriting classes for 10 years at Chicago s legendary Old Town School of Folk Music and he s currently working on a book about songwriting and the creative process with Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune. ELDER, LAURA (Lancaster, OH). Laura is a seasoned player of the Mountain Dulcimer and has been praised as one of the hidden masters of the instrument. She has conducted Mountain Dulcimer workshops at Harmony Harvest, Dulci-more, Southeast Ohio Dulcimer Festival, the Central Ohio Folk Festival, Kentucky Music Week, Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival and The Great American Dulcimer Convention. FUTCH, BING (Orlando, FL) Festival Headliner www.bingfutch.com. Award winning singer songwriter, performer, and instructor. Specializing in Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, basic piano, ukulele and general music theory, he has been an instructor at numerous national festivals and events. Whether it s a one-on-one private lesson or presenting challenging concepts to dozens, Bing s positive, encouraging and insightful teaching style has earned him world-wide acclaim as an excellent and patient teacher. HAWKINS, DAVE (College Hill, OH) www.davehawkins.com. Dave has been a part of the Central Ohio Folk Festival since its inception in 1997. Dave started his career performing in Central Ohio in the mid-70s. Today he is a touring Nashville songwriter with seven full length albums in release and a guest artist on many more. MILLER, JIM R. (Ravenna, OH). Jim plays Irish flute, whistle and recorder and participates in Irish and Old-time music in a number of sessions in Northeast Ohio. He has performed and presented workshops at the Mohican Appalachian Festival, Coshocton Dulcimer Festival, Dulci-more, Music Along the River, and other festivals in Ohio and Pennsylvania. MORRIS, ANDREW (Warsaw, IN) thematchsellers.com. Andrew has been a professional bluegrass musician with his current duo, The Matchsellers, for over 2 years. He grew up playing a variety of styles. Though only 26, he 10 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
has taught music in the U.S. & Europe and served as a Fulbright Cultural Ambassador to Germany from 2012-2013. MUSTARD S RETREAT (Ann Arbor, MI) www.mustardsretreat.com. Mustard s Retreat (Michael Hough & David Tamulevich) have been performing music together for over forty years and have been writing songs together for nearly that many. Two of their songs appear in the new Rise Up Singing song book. They are also members of the songwriting collective, The Yellow Room Gang. PALMS, MARK (Manchester, MI) www.creoledunord.com and www. raisinpickers.com. Mark is a musician who continues to chase the heritage of traditional American music on fiddle, banjo and accordion. Borrowing from the original string band sounds of Mississippi and the traditional Cajun and Creole sounds of Louisiana, he performs in several bands that carry on and extend the cultural connection so strongly evident in the American musical journey. POWERS, CALEB (Columbus, OH). Caleb grew up in Central Ohio and is the son of active, string band fiddler and banjo player, Les Powers (The North Fork Rounders). He joined the bluegrass music scene with the band, The Relentless Mules, and in addition to performing with various other folk/ roots/traditional ensembles, including Donkey Nation. He is also a music instructor. RIDGEWAY, BRETT (Industry, PA) www.brettridgewaymusic.com. Brett teaches several workshops at string band clubs, and does group and Skype (worldwide) lessons. He is a full-time multi-instrumentalist and instructor. He also tours promoting traditional Old-time music and history and has released eight recordings. A composition written and performed by Brett was featured in the sound track of The Path of the Wind, a 2009 movie featuring Wilford Brimley. SCHILLING, BILL (Salem, OH) www.billschilling.org. Bill has been a folk-style singer and multi-instrumentalist for over forty years. He leads Dulci-more, directs the Dulci-more Festival, coordinates folk music at the Weatherbury Farm, and works with Folknet, the Canton Folk Song Society, and the Dulcimer Society of Trumbull County. He is also a long time workshop presenter at festivals. SHERMAN, JOHN (Columbus, OH) www.jjshermanmusic.com. John has been an arranger, performer and teacher of Celtic music (mainly guitar and banjo) for the past three decades. He currently performs with fellow string multi-instrumentalist Randy Clepper and The General Guinness Band. SIGISMONDI, LINDA (Gallipolis, OH) www.lindasigismondi.com. Linda is a Mountain Dulcimer player and folksinger; her music includes traditional Appalachian tunes, traditional and contemporary folk music and some 11
original compositions. She organizes the music and workshops for the Fort Salem Dulcimer Festival and has taught workshops and performed at many folk festivals throughout West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and New York. SWINGLE, SETH (Earlysville, VA) www.sethswingle.com. An awardwinning musician & scholar with a passion for the banjo & traditional music, Seth has studied under the late Mike Seeger and was also awarded a scholarship to study traditional Mande music in Mali, W. Africa, where he now spends part of the year with the Mali musical community. He has performed at the popular Festival sur le Niger and on Malian national television. He gives talks and performances on banjo history at universities throughout the Southern U.S. He is a first class presenter and performer. SZUCH, BRIAN (Westerville, OH). Brian is a frequent performer and instructor at the Central Ohio Folk Festival. He has played guitar since age 8 and is a member of bands Halfway Home and Avalon Nine. In addition to guitar, he plays mandolin, dobro and keyboards. UNDERHILLS, THE (Bloomington, IN) theunderhillsmusic.bandcamp. com. This six-member acoustic band are masterful at weaving together guitars, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and bass to create an original sound evocative of old-time folk and bluegrass, while experimenting with new ideas and grooves. They are skilled songwriters and harmonizers, as they carve out their own niche in the world of folk music. WAGNER, RICK & HILLARY (Dayton, OH) www.jimsredpants.com. They have been writing original and arranging traditional tunes together for the past 20 years. They have conducted workshops at the Central Ohio Folk Festival and at other festivals and venues. They both give private music lessons. WOLF (MARIE SMITH) (Lancaster, OH) bluegypsyband.webs.com. Wolf is a 58 year old hillbilly from Fairfield County. She has played guitar for 49 years and performed since age 12. She currently fronts Second Wind Old- Time Bluegrass Band and also performs in the Blue Gypsy Band in addition to pursuing a solo career as an entertainer. WYDICK, JOSH (Columbus, OH) josh.wydick@gmail.com or www. guitarhouseworkshop.com Josh apprenticed under master luthier John Bolzenius for 2 years and has worked at Guitar House Workshop for 5 years, with 3 years full-time in the repair department. He does the majority of setups, crack repairs and electronic work. 12 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org