Beginning Bluegrass Classes at Lily P's
NEW ALL-DAY CLASSES IN MARCH & APRIL 2025:
In the next couple months, I am going to be offering single-day versions of my most popular classes: (1) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin and (2) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments). Both classes are specifically designed to prepare students to join bluegrass jams and will be held on Saturdays in March and April. Here are the class details:
(1) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin (joint class)
– Saturday, March 1st from 1:30 until 8:30 pm (dinner included)
– for those who want to learn to play solos on guitar and/or mandolin
– held at Lily P's (click here for FREE garage parking info)
– the 7-hour-long class includes a catered dinner at 5:30-ish
– this class will prepare you for most jams with instrumentals
– $145 tuition includes handouts, MP3s, and a catered dinner
– please let me know if you have any food preferences/restrictions/allergies
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin is a joint class for both guitar and/or mandolin players who are new to bluegrass soloing or those who have been frustrated trying to learn to play solos before. In this class, we'll learn how to read tablature (tab for short) and we will dive right into learning our first two fiddle tunes. Students do not need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, and you don't need to be able to read music. Students should bring a playable mandolin or acoustic guitar (ideally with steel strings) and the appropriate accessories (picks and an electronic tuner for both, and a capo for guitarists). Handouts and corresponding MP3s will be provided, and while you are welcome to bring a recording device, it's not necessary as I will be recording the class and sharing the recording afterward.
Please Note: you may have heard about my brand new flatpicking guitar camp which I've modestly titled Tony Watt’s NE Flatpicking Camp (tonywattbluegrass.com/camp). The camp will be held March 28th – 30th, at a recently renovated hotel in Hadley, Mass. (between Amherst and Northampton). We're asking all campers to know how to flatpick at least two fiddle tunes, which is the same number of fiddle tunes that this Beginning Bluegrass Soloing class will cover. That means that if you're interested in attending the camp but aren't sure if you'll be prepared, this single-day class will be a perfect way to get in shape for camp!
(2) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments)
– Saturday, April 12th from 1:30 until 8:30 pm (dinner included)
– learn to jam on singing songs you may have never heard before
– the 7-hour-long class includes a catered dinner at 5:30-ish
– held at Lily P's (click here for FREE garage parking info)
– this class will prepare students for most beginner/slow jams
– this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
– $145 tuition includes handouts, MP3s, and a catered dinner
– please let me know if you have any food preferences/restrictions/allergies
The Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class is open to all bluegrass instruments: banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and Dobro (a.k.a. resophonic guitar), and is geared towards beginner and intermediate musicians who are interested in learning how to play with other musicians. We will focus on the basics of bluegrass jamming including collaboration, ear training, keeping time, non-verbal communication, and jam etiquette. The primary goal is to provide the students with the skills and experience needed to participate in bluegrass jams.
There are no prerequisite songs, and you don't need to be able to play solos on your instrument, sing, or read music. Guitar, banjo, and mandolin players should be able to switch between the chords G, C, D & A smoothly (and ideally, E and F as well). This class will focus on the skills necessary to play songs you've never heard before, including how to follow a guitar player's chords. You are welcome to bring a recording device, however, it's not necessary as I will be recording the class and sharing the recording afterward.
If you've been wanting to join bluegrass jams, but aren't sure where to start, or if you've already been jamming, but want to learn the finer points, this will be a great place to start! Please let me know if you have any questions about either class, and/or if you'd like to join us, please just email me at tonywatt@gmail.com, thanks!
WEEKLY CLASSES FROM 2024:
I am announcing another round of my two most popular classes specifically designed to prepare beginners to join various kinds of bluegrass jams. These classes will meet on various Sundays at Lily P's. Lily P's is closed on Sundays so we won't be able to eat there, but we'll have the place to ourselves and all the free garage parking we could ever hope for! Lily P's is less than a mile from the Leverett Circle exit off I-93 and is also only a 10-minute walk from both Kendall (Red Line) and Lechmere (Green Line). Here are the details of both classes:
(1) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class:
Various Sundays from 5 until 6 pm
Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments)
-- learn to jam on singing songs you may have never heard before
-- seven hour-long classes held various Sundays from 5 until 6 pm
-- classes held at Lily P's (click here for important info about the FREE parking)
-- class meets on April 7, 14, 21 & 28, and May 5, 12 & 19
-- this class will prepare you for most beginner/slow jams
-- this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
-- $130 tuition includes 7 hours of class time, various handouts, and MP3s
-- classes held immediately before the teacher-directed jams for beginners
The Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class is open to all bluegrass instruments: banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and Dobro (a.k.a. resophonic guitar), and other instruments with instructor permission. This class is geared towards beginner and intermediate musicians who are interested in learning how to play with other musicians. We will focus on the basics of bluegrass jamming including collaboration, ear training, keeping time, non-verbal communication, and jam etiquette. The primary goal is to provide students with the skills and experience needed to participate in bluegrass jams.
There are no prerequisite songs, and you don't need to be able to play solos on your instrument, sing, or read music. Guitar, banjo, and mandolin players should be able to switch between the chords G, C, D and A smoothly (and ideally, E and F as well). This class will focus on the skills necessary to play songs you've never heard before, including how to follow a guitar player's chords. You are welcome to bring a recording device; however, it won't be necessary as I will record each class and share the recordings between classes.
(2) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin:
Various Sundays from 4 until 5 pm
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin (joint class)
-- for those who want to learn to play solos on guitar and/or mandolin
-- seven hour-long classes held various Sundays from 4 until 5 pm
-- classes held at Lily P's (click here for important info about the FREE parking)
-- class meets on April 7, 14, 21 & 28, and May 5, 12 & 19
-- this class will prepare you for most jams with instrumentals
-- this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
-- $130 tuition includes 7 hours of class time, various handouts, and MP3s
-- taking both classes (soloing & jamming) is highly recommended
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin is a joint class for both guitar and/or mandolin players who are new to bluegrass soloing or those who have been frustrated trying to learn to play solos before. In this course, we'll learn how to read tablature (tab for short) and we will focus on the two kinds of songs found in most bluegrass jam sessions: singing songs (a.k.a. vocals) and instrumentals (such as fiddle tunes). We will also examine the most common competing approaches to soloing such as melody-based soloing versus non-melody-based soloing, and improvised soloing versus playing a prepared solo. The primary goal is to provide you with the skills necessary to play bluegrass guitar and/or mandolin solos and participate in bluegrass jams.
Students do not need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, and you don't need to be able to read music. Students should bring a playable mandolin or acoustic guitar (ideally with steel strings) and the appropriate accessories (picks and an electronic tuner for both, and a capo for guitarists). Handouts and corresponding MP3s will be provided, and while you are welcome to bring a recording device, it's not necessary as I will be recording each class and sharing the recordings between classes.
Please let me know if you have any questions whatsoever about either of these classes. And if you would like to join us for one or both classes, please just email me at tonywatt@gmail.com, thanks!
NEW ALL-DAY CLASSES IN MARCH & APRIL 2025:
In the next couple months, I am going to be offering single-day versions of my most popular classes: (1) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin and (2) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments). Both classes are specifically designed to prepare students to join bluegrass jams and will be held on Saturdays in March and April. Here are the class details:
(1) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin (joint class)
– Saturday, March 1st from 1:30 until 8:30 pm (dinner included)
– for those who want to learn to play solos on guitar and/or mandolin
– held at Lily P's (click here for FREE garage parking info)
– the 7-hour-long class includes a catered dinner at 5:30-ish
– this class will prepare you for most jams with instrumentals
– $145 tuition includes handouts, MP3s, and a catered dinner
– please let me know if you have any food preferences/restrictions/allergies
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin is a joint class for both guitar and/or mandolin players who are new to bluegrass soloing or those who have been frustrated trying to learn to play solos before. In this class, we'll learn how to read tablature (tab for short) and we will dive right into learning our first two fiddle tunes. Students do not need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, and you don't need to be able to read music. Students should bring a playable mandolin or acoustic guitar (ideally with steel strings) and the appropriate accessories (picks and an electronic tuner for both, and a capo for guitarists). Handouts and corresponding MP3s will be provided, and while you are welcome to bring a recording device, it's not necessary as I will be recording the class and sharing the recording afterward.
Please Note: you may have heard about my brand new flatpicking guitar camp which I've modestly titled Tony Watt’s NE Flatpicking Camp (tonywattbluegrass.com/camp). The camp will be held March 28th – 30th, at a recently renovated hotel in Hadley, Mass. (between Amherst and Northampton). We're asking all campers to know how to flatpick at least two fiddle tunes, which is the same number of fiddle tunes that this Beginning Bluegrass Soloing class will cover. That means that if you're interested in attending the camp but aren't sure if you'll be prepared, this single-day class will be a perfect way to get in shape for camp!
(2) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments)
– Saturday, April 12th from 1:30 until 8:30 pm (dinner included)
– learn to jam on singing songs you may have never heard before
– the 7-hour-long class includes a catered dinner at 5:30-ish
– held at Lily P's (click here for FREE garage parking info)
– this class will prepare students for most beginner/slow jams
– this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
– $145 tuition includes handouts, MP3s, and a catered dinner
– please let me know if you have any food preferences/restrictions/allergies
The Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class is open to all bluegrass instruments: banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and Dobro (a.k.a. resophonic guitar), and is geared towards beginner and intermediate musicians who are interested in learning how to play with other musicians. We will focus on the basics of bluegrass jamming including collaboration, ear training, keeping time, non-verbal communication, and jam etiquette. The primary goal is to provide the students with the skills and experience needed to participate in bluegrass jams.
There are no prerequisite songs, and you don't need to be able to play solos on your instrument, sing, or read music. Guitar, banjo, and mandolin players should be able to switch between the chords G, C, D & A smoothly (and ideally, E and F as well). This class will focus on the skills necessary to play songs you've never heard before, including how to follow a guitar player's chords. You are welcome to bring a recording device, however, it's not necessary as I will be recording the class and sharing the recording afterward.
If you've been wanting to join bluegrass jams, but aren't sure where to start, or if you've already been jamming, but want to learn the finer points, this will be a great place to start! Please let me know if you have any questions about either class, and/or if you'd like to join us, please just email me at tonywatt@gmail.com, thanks!
WEEKLY CLASSES FROM 2024:
I am announcing another round of my two most popular classes specifically designed to prepare beginners to join various kinds of bluegrass jams. These classes will meet on various Sundays at Lily P's. Lily P's is closed on Sundays so we won't be able to eat there, but we'll have the place to ourselves and all the free garage parking we could ever hope for! Lily P's is less than a mile from the Leverett Circle exit off I-93 and is also only a 10-minute walk from both Kendall (Red Line) and Lechmere (Green Line). Here are the details of both classes:
(1) Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class:
Various Sundays from 5 until 6 pm
Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class (for all bluegrass instruments)
-- learn to jam on singing songs you may have never heard before
-- seven hour-long classes held various Sundays from 5 until 6 pm
-- classes held at Lily P's (click here for important info about the FREE parking)
-- class meets on April 7, 14, 21 & 28, and May 5, 12 & 19
-- this class will prepare you for most beginner/slow jams
-- this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
-- $130 tuition includes 7 hours of class time, various handouts, and MP3s
-- classes held immediately before the teacher-directed jams for beginners
The Beginning Bluegrass Jamming Class is open to all bluegrass instruments: banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, and Dobro (a.k.a. resophonic guitar), and other instruments with instructor permission. This class is geared towards beginner and intermediate musicians who are interested in learning how to play with other musicians. We will focus on the basics of bluegrass jamming including collaboration, ear training, keeping time, non-verbal communication, and jam etiquette. The primary goal is to provide students with the skills and experience needed to participate in bluegrass jams.
There are no prerequisite songs, and you don't need to be able to play solos on your instrument, sing, or read music. Guitar, banjo, and mandolin players should be able to switch between the chords G, C, D and A smoothly (and ideally, E and F as well). This class will focus on the skills necessary to play songs you've never heard before, including how to follow a guitar player's chords. You are welcome to bring a recording device; however, it won't be necessary as I will record each class and share the recordings between classes.
(2) Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin:
Various Sundays from 4 until 5 pm
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar & Mandolin (joint class)
-- for those who want to learn to play solos on guitar and/or mandolin
-- seven hour-long classes held various Sundays from 4 until 5 pm
-- classes held at Lily P's (click here for important info about the FREE parking)
-- class meets on April 7, 14, 21 & 28, and May 5, 12 & 19
-- this class will prepare you for most jams with instrumentals
-- this class will include multiple opportunities to jam, especially later on
-- $130 tuition includes 7 hours of class time, various handouts, and MP3s
-- taking both classes (soloing & jamming) is highly recommended
Beginning Bluegrass Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin is a joint class for both guitar and/or mandolin players who are new to bluegrass soloing or those who have been frustrated trying to learn to play solos before. In this course, we'll learn how to read tablature (tab for short) and we will focus on the two kinds of songs found in most bluegrass jam sessions: singing songs (a.k.a. vocals) and instrumentals (such as fiddle tunes). We will also examine the most common competing approaches to soloing such as melody-based soloing versus non-melody-based soloing, and improvised soloing versus playing a prepared solo. The primary goal is to provide you with the skills necessary to play bluegrass guitar and/or mandolin solos and participate in bluegrass jams.
Students do not need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, and you don't need to be able to read music. Students should bring a playable mandolin or acoustic guitar (ideally with steel strings) and the appropriate accessories (picks and an electronic tuner for both, and a capo for guitarists). Handouts and corresponding MP3s will be provided, and while you are welcome to bring a recording device, it's not necessary as I will be recording each class and sharing the recordings between classes.
Please let me know if you have any questions whatsoever about either of these classes. And if you would like to join us for one or both classes, please just email me at tonywatt@gmail.com, thanks!