Demonstrations

On Friday afternoon, we offer an entire class-session that is devoted to demonstrations, or demos. Demos are essentially presentations or mini-performances combined with explication and Q&A sessions. They are similar to the kind of round-robin events called “workshops” that take place at many Folk or Bluegrass Festivals. Following are a few examples of the some of the demos we’ve offered in recent years.

• Old-time finger picking styles
• Singing with the Banjo
• Banjo-Fiddle duets
• All Scruggs All the Time
• Ragtime Fiddle Tunes
• Tips on Playing in a Band
• Composing for Banjo
• Jazz & Swing on Banjo, 3-finger Style
• Modal Tunes on Banjo
• Waltzes & Jigs Played Clawhammer Style

Why attend Demonstrations? Although there’s no hands-on instruction, demonstrations offer a valuable learning experience. By watching our instructors play in the demos, and listening to their explanatory remarks and verbal interchanges, you get a strong sense not only of the state of the field, but also of the history of bluegrass and old-time music. What’s more, observing the instructors in action is a great way to discover whose styles you are most attracted to, and whose methods of presentation suit you best.