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One-Day Workshops and
Other Events at Gryphon

Seats are limited on all workshops.
Though tickets are generally available on the day of the workshop,
popular wokshops sell out before the event.
Call or stop by the shop to get your ticket in advance. 650-493-2131

Blues/Roots Fingerstyle Guitar Toolbox

Sat, Jun 08, 2013 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $40.00

Steve James
www.stevejames.com

To start this session, Steve will demonstrate some bluesy song arrangements in standard and "drop D" tuning that employ syncopated thumb-and-fingerpicking techniques, useful chord vamps, fills and turnarounds. The balance of the session will be devoted to a hands-on breakdown of a couple of these motifs, further detailing the techniques involved in playing them. Bring guitar and accessories. Some tab supplied. Some sound recording permitted..About 90 minutes.

Bottleneck Style Slide Guitar in Open Tunings

Sat, Jun 08, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $40.00

Steve James
www.stevejames.com

After introducing the two tunings most commonly used in bottleneck slide guitar ("Vastopol"...D-A-D-F#-A-d and "Spanish"...D-G-D-G-B-d) Steve will show a few useful, movable chord devices along with some pointers on effective use of the slide. The balance of the workshop will be hands-on, with one piece in each tuning demonstrated, along with techniques such as muting, cross-stringing and playing harmonics. Have a (steel string) guitar, slide and accessories ready. Some handouts supplied. Some sound recording permitted. About 90 minutes.

Recording devices are encouraged (no videos!)

Steve James...has recorded and performed extensively, and is known for his familiarity with classic blues and country guitar styles...and the original way in which he has employed them in his own repertoire. He has created numerous print and on-line tutorials for Acoustic Guitar magazine, plus DVDs for Homespun in addition to teaching hundreds of guitar and mandolin workshops over the past few decades.

World Rhythms Workshop for All Musicians

Sat, Jun 22, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Cost: $50.00

Matthew Montfort

This workshop the weekend of the equinox is a wonderful way to welcome summer with improved timing skills in a spectacular setting. Matthew Montfort is the author of Ancient Traditions � Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. The book, which is the basis for this world music workshop, received rave reviews in publications such as GUITAR PLAYER, ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN, DRUMS AND DRUMMING, and the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. Material from the book has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed jazz and rock drummer. The workshop is presented in an easy to follow, entertaining yet educational format for all music lovers. African polyrhythms, Balinese kot�kan and Indian classical music were chosen as the source material for the training because these three traditions in combination cover the major types of rhythmic organization used in most of the world's music. Not just for musicians and percussionists, this training can help anyone with a desire to improve their rhythmic skills. The workshop is open to all levels, and no musical background is required. Very simple to play percussion instruments will be provided, and participants are free to bring any percussive they enjoy playing.

Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. An award-winning guitarist (Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Colorado Outstanding Young Guitarist Award), he is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). Montfort spent three months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. He is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com , a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Tony Rice, Alex De Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He is also known for his work on electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan, and as Ancient Future's main composer.

Classical Mandolin Italian Style

Sat, Jul 13, 2013 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $35.00

Achille Bocus

The workshop is focused on the basic right hand and left hand techniques. If you like the beautiful sound of the Italian tremolo on the mandolin, Achille will show to you the secret of this right-hand technique. In the second part of the workshop we will work together on the effective way to use the left hand to make a nice and clear sound. At the end of the workshop we will play a simple Italian tune from northern Italy. The workshop is perfect for beginners who want to start practicing in the right way, and for intermediate or advanced students who want to understand better the true Italian tremolo and a better way to use the left hand.

Swing/Jazz Guitar Styles Workshop

Sat, Aug 17, 2013 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $35.00

Paul Asbell

Jazz has its own language... and for most guitarists, it's a foreign language. This workshop explores the skills you need to play Swing Jazz in an ensemble, or solo. This overview will cover chord progressions and rhythm skills, technique-building exercises for soloing, chord-melody approaches, bass-line comping, jazz harmony and terminology, and basic theory concepts that enable you to apply these skills to jazz standards. All levels are welcomed, but some experience with jazz will be necessary, as advanced topics will be covered. Many hand-out sheets will be provided, so you'll have plenty of material to work on for years to come! Participants are encouraged to bring an audio or video recorder to get the most out of the workshop.

Fingerstyle Country Blues Workshop

Sat, Aug 17, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Cost: $35.00

Paul Asbell

Fingerstyle blues guitar, in the styles of Mississippi John Hurt, Lightnin' Hopkins, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Merle Travis, Dave van Ronk, and others. Topics covered will include right hand fundamentals, such as alternate-bass technique, Delta-style drones, palm muting, and exercises to create effortless dexterity, syncopations and strong grooves. Left-hand issues range from basic chord concepts to sophisticated jazz and ragtime chord substitutions, moving bass lines, "guide tones", etc, w/ emphasis on creating your own licks, turnarounds and variations within the style. All levels welcome, but many ideas will be geared to the evolved player. Many worksheets will get handed out, with exercises, TAB transcriptions, chord fingerings, etc� enough to keep you busy for many months afterwards!, Participants are encouraged to bring an audio or video recorder to get the most out of the workshop.

Paul has performed and recorded with numerous legends of blues, jazz, and folk, including Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Howlin' Wolf, Otis Rush, Magic Sam, John Lee Hooker, David Bromberg, Jon Hendricks, Bobby McFerrin, Betty Carter, James Carter, Sonny Stitt, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Joshua Redman, Paul Siebel, Rosalie Sorrels, Mary McCaslin, former student Trey Anastasio, and countless others. He has taught guitar for over 35 years, at Dartmouth College, St. Michaels College, Skidmore College, and presently teaches at University of Vermont and Middlebury College. Paul's acoustic CD's have received glowing reviews from Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Guitar, Sing Out!, and Downbeat.

Monroe Style Mandolin Workshop

Sat, Sep 28, 2013 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: $100.00

Mike Compton
www.mikecompton.net

The workshop focuses primarily on the mandolin style of the late Bill Monroe. A brief history of Monroe's life, influences, and regional culture is covered to give the student an overall view of who the man was and what theoretically shaped the man and his sound. The objective of this section is to lend emotional perspective to the student's pursuit of Monroe's sound.

The class will spend some time covering the suggested right hand usage. This topic cannot be overstressed, as it is the most difficult aspect of Monroe's music. Without a working knowledge and understanding of the proper usage of the right hand grip/stroke, Monroe's work, in my opinion, is virtually impossible to duplicate. A brief description of the preferred left hand technique will be introduced and will be followed with a section on the more obvious techniques/ devices used in the 'language'. Some of these include tone variation, triplets, tremolos, downstrokes, slides, melody insinuation, rhythm as melody, tunings, etc. Recorded audio examples to illustrate points discussed may be included as deemed necessary. We will take a look at material from the entire range of Monroe's career, from the first string band days to his "last days on earth". Tab/standard notation will be used in order that the class as a whole will be able to reproduce covered material.

The workshop is geared toward intermediate level players interested in learning more specifically how to play the Monroe bluegrass mandolin style. All skill levels are welcome however. Some knowledge of how to read standard notation and/or tablature will be very helpful, obviously. Efforts will be made to accommodate everyone and to answer every question as no question is considered "too simple". Students should come prepared to actively participate. The class is not intended as a lecture. (Intermediate, but all levels welcome)

About Mike Compton:

Preservationist, performer, modern-day musical pioneer, composer, and educator, Mike
Compton, a musician's musician has rightly earned a reputation as one of the best and
most influential mandolin players in acoustic music today. Mike has"taken a passel of influences including old-time fiddle tunes, rock salt and nails bluegrass, and the aching allure of the true Delta blues--to create one of the most recognizable and respected mandolin voices anywhere. (David McCarty, Mandolin Magazine) Grammy award winner, nominated IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, and musical US Ambassador
throughout the world, Mike has entertained at Carnegie Hall, at the White House, and been honored by the Mississippi State Senate with State Resolution Number 45, a special honor commending his musical accomplishments.

Over a span of 35 years, Compton has made a career playing on recordings of others
adding his signature sound. Mike has made music with such diverse notables as the
iconic mountain music man Ralph Stanley, British rock legend Elvis Costello and the
Sugarcanes, guitar virtuoso David Grier, and producer T-Bone Burnett (O Brother, Where
Art Thou and Down From The Mountain tours). When the Nashville Bluegrass Band was
being put together, Mike was their first choice on mandolin, creating a "band like a
marriage made in heaven." In 1994, Mike became a sideman for John Hartford, whom he
performed with until Hartford's death. To date, Mike has performed on over 100 CDs in a
variety of genres, with some of the most beloved artists of our day.

These days, Mike is taking his craftsmanship, dexterity, mandolin mastery and
musicality, and letting us see something that we've only glimpsed in the past: Compton
playing by himself, unaccompanied and undirected. Always searching for ways to deepen his artistry, Mike continues writing, performing, and delving deeper into ways to communicate musically to his listeners, and in Mike's own words: "...our function is not merely to entertain but to communicate to one another...if you hear something that stirs your memories...or causes you to reflect on the day, I am satisfied I have done my job well."