Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (runs 5/12 through 6/16: 6 classes)
$120.00 advance / $130.00 after 4/19
Register online

We'll sing and play together, explore core old-time repertoire, both songs and instrumentals. Open to players of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, uke, guitar, dulcimer, string bass, autoharp, harmonica, or any other instrument you might find in an old-time string band. Besides playing and singing tunes and songs we already know, each week we'll work out at least one new piece of material as a group. There will be lots of singing, including some harmony singing; this is not going to be all fiddle tunes though we'll certainly play some. Song/tune choices will be available in advance, along with source recordings, and we can do requests, too. Lyric sheets will be given out, but not written music; we'll learn this material the same way that our sources did, by ear.

This will be a hands-on class, lots of playing and singing. We will not be dealing with issues of technique as applied to specific instruments, it will be more about the repertoire and exploring what makes it sound "old-time". The goal is to have a great time playing and singing old-time music with other people. (Minimum class size: 10)

*You should be able to play simple chord changes on your instrument (if you play a chord instrument) and be able to pick up simple melodies by ear if you play a non-chord instrument. Probably not for raw beginners, but beginner-intermediates are welcome, especially if they like to sing. Intermediate-advanced players who want a chance to do more singing would also be very welcome.

If you have further questions or requests, feel free to email instructor Suzy Thompson: suzy@ericandsuzy.com

Suzy is a fiddler, guitarist, and singer who has been playing old time string band music since the 1970s in many bands including Any Old Time, Blue Flame String Band, Backwoods Band, Thompson's String Ticklers, and recently in a trio with Evie Ladin & Allegra Yellin. She is the director of the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention and occasionally writes reviews for the Old Time Herald. She has taught old time music at many music camps including Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Augusta Old Time Music Week, CBA Camp, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and Lark in the Morning.

www.ericandsuzy.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.