Building Bluegrass Chops

Tickets are $40 (plus $1 service charge).

In this intermediate/advanced mandolin workshop, Steve Smith of The Hard Road Trio will first work on right hand use and development techniques. "Down strokes, eighths both down and down-up and getting into tremolo. Chords and changing chords will be viewed for hand position, comfort, and smoothness.  We'll dive into a classic Monroe tune or two with a 'learn by ear approach' and round off the workshop with kick-off/ intro licks that can be used in many different tunes and solos along with handouts. Recorders and video welcome."

Steve Smith has been performing for nearly thirty years in about as many types of musical situations as one can imagine. He has appeared as a solo artist, bandleader, in-demand sideman, session player and producer in traditional bluegrass (his first love), old time, Celtic, new acoustic, jazz and chamber music. His deep Virginia roots and thirty years of traveling the country give him a hard driving unique instrumental sound coupled with a powerful tenor.

When not working with Chris, Hard Road or the Alan Munde Gazette, Steve's solo tours have taken him from Florida to Alaska, the Caribbean to Europe. His shows feature his smoky tenor, original tunes and unique arrangements of traditional and modern music, from delicate finger style to hard driving rhythm. Recent years have also brought appearances with Jim Hurst and the Bill Evans String Summit.

One of the premiere mandolin players in America, Steve is a well-known instructor for lessons and workshops. He maintains a busy teaching and workshop schedule that has included Zoukfest in Santa Fe, the California Coast Music Camp, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp and twelve years as mandolin instructor at Camp Bluegrass.

Comments from previous participants:

"Great pedagogue – answered questions and gave attention to everyone in the class."

"An excellent instructor – not only in the information presented but especially in his personal attention to each individual student with guidance and direction for improving or correcting techniques and playing skills."