Name: John Cerrigione Address: 56 Egypt Road, Ellington, CT 06029 Phone: 860-872-3264 BIO: John Cerrigione is a multi-instrumentalist from Ellington, CT. He has performed and taught workshops on Autoharp, Mountain Dulcimer, Guitar and Banjo at various festivals across the country, including the Augusta Heritage Program, Mt. Laurel Autoharp Gathering, and the Nutmeg Dulcimer Festival. Recordings to date include Wood Stoves and Bread Loaves, Winter s Turning and Joy to the World with his wife Heidi. He and Heidi also perform in Doofus with Neal & Coleen Walters of Pennsylvania and in Jerimoth Hill with Atwater-Donnelly of Rhode Island. For more information on-line, visit: http://doofusmusic.com/jhweb.html WORKSHOP INFORMATION: Autoharp Title: Boot Camp for Beginners Level: Beg Come and join us for an introduction to playing the autoharp. This 3-hour workshop is for new players and for those who play a little and might want to brush up on the basics. We will cover picks, right and left hand technique, 4/4 and 3/4 timing, playing in a group, how to learn a song, playing by ear, and how to practice. Unsure about common autoharp terms such as chromatic, diatonic, open chording, etc.? Come with any questions. Time permitting, we will talk about autoharp setup and tuning, and some maintenance that you can do yourself to keep your instrument in good playing shape. Hope to see you there!
Title: Autoharp I Level: Novice/Beginning For students just beginning to play the autoharp. Tuning the instrument, simple strum patterns, and singing with the autoharp will be covered. The repertoire will be familiar melodies as well as common old-time tunes. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Title: Autoharp Strum Variations Level: Adv Beginner Strum variations in both ¾ and 4/4 time, as well as beginning melody picking will be covered. The repertoire will be familiar melodies as well as common old-time tunes. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Title: The Diatonic Autoharp Level: Novice/Intermediate Keys: G,D,A For those players new to the Diatonic Autoharp. Topics will include open chording and right hand techniques. The repertoire will be familiar songs as well as common old-time tunes. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Come and enjoy as we explore diatonic playing. Title: Singing with the Autoharp Level: Beginning/Novice For students just beginning to play the Autoharp. We will explore some simple back up strum patterns as we accompany our voices singing familiar melodies. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Come and have some fun singing with the Autoharp.
Title: Waltzes on the Autoharp Level: (can be Adv Beg - Intermediate) Tablature will be provided for picking the melody on some of my favorite waltzes. The emphasis will on learning a new waltz or two. Come and enjoy adding some new tunes to your autoharp repertoire. Title: Calypso Strum Level: (can be Adv Beg - Intermediate) Learn to play Yellow Bird with a combination of melody picking and calypso strum pattern. We ll be putting masking tape on our strings to get a cool marimba sound. Come and enjoy the fun! Title: Autoharp Duets Keys: F,C Description: Participants will get a chance to experiment with several examples of duet playing. From call & answer to counter melodies. We ll pair up and have fun interacting together.
Banjo Title: Beginning Clawhammer Banjo Level: Novice/Beginning Tuning: G For students just beginning to play clawhammer banjo. Tuning the instrument, basics of frailing, and beginning exercises will be covered. The repertoire will be familiar melodies as well as common old-time tunes. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Tablature will be provided. Title: Banjo Adding spice to your playing Level: Beginning/Intermediate Keys: D ( adade) Explore right and left hand techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, double thumbing, and syncopation. Learn how to apply these techniques to your banjo repertoire. Tablature will be provided. Title: Banjo Repertoire Keys: D ( adade) Tablature will be provided for several old-time tunes. Emphasis will be placed on learning new tunes, and also incorporating hammer-on, pull-offs and slides into your playing. Bass Title: Beginning Acoustic Bass Level: Novice/Beginning No Instrument required For students wanting to explore playing the Bass. Simple Bass pattern techniques and song accompaniment will be covered. Come and have a fun experience with a new instrument.
Guitar Title: Basic Guitar Backup Level: Novice/Beginning This workshop is for guitar students just beginning to play back-up guitar. The basics of strumming with an alternated bass rhythm will be covered. We ll accompany ourselves singing familiar songs, as well as playing along with common old-time fiddle tunes. Use of the capo will also be discussed. Title: Fingerstyle Guitar Travis Picking Level: Beginning/Intermediate Description: This workshop is intended to demonstrate the basics of Fingerstyle Travis Picking. Syncopated patterns with the right hand fingers while maintaining a steady bass rhythm will be covered. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Guitar tablature will be provided. Title: Playing Guitar in a Jamming Situation Level: All Instruments: Guitar/Also all instruments are welcome Together we ll practice playing back-up chords to melody instruments or singing accompaniment. We ll discuss a bit of chord theory and ear training techniques to make our chord selections easier. Use of the capo and other helpful techniques will be discussed. Open to all instruments and all levels that are willing to participate.
Mt Dulcimer Title: Back-up Playing Level: Beg/Nov Together we'll practice playing back-up chords to melody instruments or singing accompaniment. We'll discuss a bit of chord theory and ear training techniques to make our chord selections easier. Also included will be the use of walking bass lines between chord changes to add variations for your back-up patterns. Title: Intros, Endings and Connecting Bass Runs Together we ll share ideas for intros and endings to be used in songs you may already play. Also included will be the use of walking bass lines between chord changes to add variations for your back-up patterns. Title: Reading guitar chord shapes This is a helpful jam skill when you can "read" what chord the guitar player is making, or at least recognize that changes are happening. John will relate his guitar shapes to your dulcimer shapes to produce the same chords. Title: Easy Duets Level: Adv Beg Playing with a partner is enjoyable when you have individual parts. Tab will be provided for some arrangements you can share with a duet partner.
Title: Softer side of the dulcimer Level: Adv Beg Put away the pick and try some easy finger picking patterns. We ll explore some fingering patterns in 3/4 and 4/4 time. Title: Frailing the dulcimer Learn a right hand technique that's been adapted from the claw hammer banjo style. This rhythmic style of playing is well suited to old time songs and tunes. Title: Hammer- ons, pull-offs, slides Level: Adv Beg Left hand techniques to smooth your playing. We will identify passages that can benefit by incorporating these ideas. Title: Chord shapes up the neck Level: Adv Beg Expand your chord shape repertoire on the higher frets beyond the first position. These will add layers as we sing familiar songs. Title: Fun songs for kids of all ages Level: (can be beg, adv beg, or int) We'll learn some light-hearted songs to tickle your funny bone. Come join in the fun.
Title: Beyond single string melodies Level: Adv beg or int) Many tab books provide single string melodies. This session will focus on adding harmony to those songs using the middle/bass strings for a chordal sound vs a drone sound. Title: Tunes by ear Level: (can be beginner, adv beginner or intermediate) Learning tunes a phrase at a time, recognizing repeating patterns, and chord progressions. Tab provided at end of class for later reference Title: Slow jam Level: All invited All Welcome Description: We ll discuss a bit of Jam etiquette and share songs with one another around a circle. Come and enjoy interacting with other players. Title: Working with Sound Level: All invited Description: An interactive workshop. Participants will get a chance to experiment with different kinds of microphones on their instruments and to experience working with sound equipment.