Tuesdays, 8:15 - 9:15 pm (starts 4/27)
$120.00 advance / $130.00 after 4/19
Register online

Bluegrass is the playing style popularized by Earl Scruggs that is also used by musicians such as Bela Fleck to play everything from jazz to classical music. In a course designed for those just starting out on the banjo, you'll learn all about left hand technique and forming chords and get comfortable the right hand roll patterns that are the building blocks of the style. You'll use rolls to accompany songs, learn how to read tablature and get comfortable with the basic left-hand techniques of slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs. You'll then combine rolls with left-hand techniques and tackle Earl Scruggs' version of "Cripple Creek," the universal bluegrass banjo instrumental, along with several other tunes.

*Things to bring to class: a five-string banjo (doesn't have to have a resonator by the way!), two metal fingerpicks, a plastic thumb pick, and a banjo strap if you have one already.

Bill Evans is the author of Banjo For Dummies, the most popular banjo instructional book in the world. He has taught literally thousands of players all over the world in a teaching career that spans over thirty-five years. Some of his more well-known students include Chris Pandolfi (The Infamous Stringdusters) and Greg Liszt (Crooked Still). Bill's instruction is hands-on and practical—he wants you to get out there playing as soon as possible! A very well known Freight performer, Bill has performed with Dry Branch Fire Squad, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Jody Stecher, Laurie Lewis, and Kathy Kallick, as well as with the bands Bluegrass Intentions and Due West. Today, he tours widely with fiddler Megan Lynch. Their 2009 debut CD let's do something... yielded the Top Ten Folk Single of the Year "Rocks and Water."

www.nativeandfine.com

You can register for classes and workshops online with a credit card (just click on the "register online" link) or through the Freight box office in person with cash, check, or credit card. Please note that a service charge applies to all credit card transactions. You can also mail a completed registration form and check for tuition to:

For more information, email: andrea@freightandsalvage.org or call 510-644-2020 ext. 127.

Advance registration is recommended to assure space.