Slow Jam is designed for those wanting a group playing experience where all the songs use only the G, C, and D chords, and the tempos are slow. The songs are lead by faculty who will provide a Slow Jam Songbook and a wonderful, warm, and encouraging charm as you develop your musical skills. The slow jam meets every evening after the concerts.

Dobro Classes

Jimmy teaches a “hands on” class and promotes questions from the students. Backup playing, scales and the use of scales. Blues licks playing without a capo as well as creative uses of the capo are all covered. You will leave class sure of what to practice to dramatically become a better player.

Jimmy spends time with each student looking for problems that hold the student back. All of the information is placed in the context of popular Bluegrass, Country and Blue tunes.

Vocal Classes

VOCAL (all levels)

Good bluegrass style singing is dynamic, enjoyable and central to the sound. In this vocal class you will learn basic vocal techniques that will allow you to deliver a song with greater ease, confidence and conviction!

You’ll learn:

• Basic vocal technique for better tone quality, range and vocal ease.
• The characteristics of bluegrass style singing – timing, phrasing and ornamentation.
• Bluegrass harmony.
• How to learn and emotionally connect with a song.
• Projecting your voice – the right way!
• Finding your key.
• Repertoire.
• Lots of singing and more!

Come and join us!

Bass Classes

BASS (all levels)

Students will work to develop a “bluegrass way” of bass playing. Proper setup and technique will also be emphasized.

Fiddle Classes

FIDDLE (two levels, please choose one)

Beginning – For students with limited or no experience on the fiddle. Important techniques, proper form, and basic scales will be emphasized.

Intermediate/Advanced – All aspects of bluegrass fiddling will be covered including bow techniques, playing in tune, soloing, backup and fiddle tunes.

Mandolin Classes

Guitar Classes

GUITAR (three levels, please choose one)

Beginning – For guitarists with little or no experience, this class will concentrate on pick direction, hand position, basic chord changes, rhythm patterns and Carter style lead playing.

Intermediate – Flatpicking lead guitar is one focus of this class. Topics include scale fingerings, passing chords, improvisation and special effects. Advanced rhythm guitar skills are also stressed.

Advanced – A continuation of the intermediate topics with emphasis on getting a professional sound, solo development and other special topics.

Tim’s skills and topics covered in his flatpicking class. 

In the flatpicking guitar class we will focus on the tools you need to be a complete guitar player from rhythm to soloing. We will look at bass runs, alternating bass ideas, and how to effectively use dynamics to create a variety of moods for any song from breakdowns to waltzes. We will explore the mysterious world of improvisation and how to implement a simple approach to playing any song by looking at the chords and playing the chord itself (arpeggios) and a major scale (seven notes). Blues found its way into bluegrass, and we’ll look at how to incorporate major and minor blues, with examples from our heroes like Tony Rice and Doc Watson. In an attempt to be successful like banjo players, we will look at how crosspicking (mimicking a three-note banjo roll) can enhance a song and will dive into how players like George Shuffler, Norman Blake and Clarence White approached it. We’ll also introduce techniques for creating and enhancing solos for any song/tune we might encounter: tremolo, harmonized scales, ‘neighbor notes’, folded scales and more: lots of fun to be had, lots of playing time!