Wednesday, June 17, 2009

June National Guitar Workshop

Artist Corner:
David Wilcox

The ability to match words to music is a skill that requires just as much dedication as learning an Eddie Van Halen solo note for note. There are very few masters of this craft and this year we are lucky to feature one of them. David Wilcox first came to prominence in the late 80's when his first A&M record, How Did You Find Me Here? was released to critical acclaim. Combining a voice that is a cross between James Taylor and Nick Drake while his guitar skills rely on altered tunings and partial capos. This gives the music an organic feel while keep a level of sophisication throughout.

At our 2009 Songwriting Summit David will giving an afternoon masterclass on his approach to crafting songs. David's latest release, Open Hand, is an excerise in economy. The whole album was recorded over the course of one week during this past December. All the tracks were recorded live with a band that included Dan Phelps on guitar and keyboard, Jon Evans on bass and James McAlister on drums. A simple concept of creating some great music and recording it live as it happens.

As a guitarist, David blends incredibly complicated fingerpicking patterns with beautiful melodies. In my opinion, it is the goal of every great guitarist to make the difficult sound effortless and very few singer/songwriters do this as well as David Wilcox. His command of altered tunings is on par with Joni Mitchell, which gives his harmonies an incredible open feel.

Don't miss this chance to get up close with one of the greatest songwriters around. Register for our 2009 Songwriting Summit in Purchase, NY from August 9th through 14th.

http://www.davidwilcox.com


Benedetto Guitars CEO Howard Paul Coming to NGW!


Howard Paul, CEO/President of Benedetto Guitars will be visiting our McLean, VA and our Jazz Summit in Purchase. Howard will be bringing some of the latest Benedetto Guitars for our students to try out.

There will also be a presentation by Howard on the history of archtop guitars.

Jazz Guitars - The Perspective of a Manufacturer/Player

Archtop guitars have defined the voice of jazz since Lloyd Loar's 1922 Gibson L5. The metamorphosis from the 16" acoustic carved guitars without cutaways to chambered solid body electrics and laminated archtops impacted players, manufactures, retailers, and certainly music itself. Howard Paul, a gigging guitarist and President/CEO of Benedetto Guitars will discuss Bob Benedetto's philosophies, the application of architectural principals and difference materials, and the practical aspects of modern jazz guitar making. This is a unique prospective from the premier jazz guitar manufacturer today. Bob Benedetto's business partner since 2006, Howard has performed extensively with guitar greats including Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Jack Wilkins, Joe Beck, Frank Vignola, Dan Faehnle, Jimmy Bruno, and many others. He performs regularly in his trio with bassist Ben Tucker. In addition to his music, he spent ten years as an Army logistics officer, and as a steel company executive.

http://www.benedettoguitars.com


Teacher Spotlight
Veteran Faculty Share in the Strength of NGW

In the 26 years of the NGW's existence, the strength of the program lies in the talent and expertise of the teachers. Matt Smith, Kim Perlak, and Dennis McCumber have been vital assets to the NGW program and are continuing to bring their knowledge and passion to the students.

Matt Smith is one very busy New York City based musician. On any given day, Matt can be found wandering the globe spreading the love, performing, producing, writing, teaching, recording, or giving up the secrets of playing guitar at one of his "Chop Shop" concert/clinics for Ovation and Hamer guitars. Matt is a self-taught singer-songwriter and guitarist who plays a bunch of crazy stringed instruments in just about any style, and has a simple, friendly way of sharing his knowledge with others. Matt has performed with, opened for, or recorded with many artists including, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Trey Anastasio, Buddy Guy, Greg Allman, and many others. Recently, Matt has performed at the NYC Blue Note as well as Carnegie Hall, Central Park, and Eisenhower Park with the NY Pops Orchestra. Matt continues to perform at numerous international guitar festivals. Matt has an extensive discography, including a recent release from his latest project, Meet the Monstas, and a plethora of books from the Workshop Arts/Alfred Publishing Company.

"This is my 20th year teaching at NGW. I've become lifelong friends with the staff and faculty, and have seen so many students grow into great musicians. I've structured my Chop Shop and Bluesblaster classes to be entertaining, inspiring and filled with enough real world information to keep you busy for years! NGW is the first and BEST in its field!!!"

http://www.mattsmtihsworld.com

Kim Perlak is a guitarist and American music scholar and has been on the NGW faculty since 1999. In December, she received her doctorate in Guitar Performance at the University of Texas at Austin. Kim completed a Master of Music degree at Yale School of Music and received her BM, Magna Cum Laude, at Stetson University. As a soloist and collaborator with classical, jazz, and folk musicians, she has been featured in university concert halls across the country, on NPR and CBS Sunday Morning, and at Austin's famous club, Ruta Maya. Kim is on the faculty of Concordia University-TX, Austin Community College, and Austin Guitar School. Her lecture-concerts on American musical culture have been funded by the Carolina Institute for Leadership and Engagement in Music. Her recording with guitar, flute, and cello - Yong, Kim, and Cathy at Yale - is available at cdbaby.com.

At NGW, Kim teaches Classical and Beginner Intensive Core, and is the Coordinator of the Intern Program. "The Classical Core is a lot of fun for me to teach because I was once a classical student at NGW. I'm always amazed at the amount of progress each student makes in one week through this kind of intensive curriculum and collaboration with the other students. Beginner Intensive Core is another favorite of mine - and a class I helped to develop in 2000. This class is truly amazing. Every year, brave individuals who are new to the guitar come for an intensive jump-start and get farther than they ever imagined in one week."

http://www.myspace.com/kimperlak

Dennis McCumber has been a guitar instructor and performer for more than 20 years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in music education from The College of Saint Rose. Dennis performs regularly in the New York City area with various rock, blues, and funk bands, and occasionally as a classical soloist. Dennis has shared the stage with such greats as Robben Ford, Eric Krasno, and Big Bill Morganfield, son of the late great Muddy Waters. Dennis has performed at the Chicago Blues festival, as well as the Hard Rock Café on Beal St. in Memphis, TN. His trio, The MG3's, is a featured act at Club Groove in New York City, where they are advertised as a "3 piece slamming funk band." He also performs with the soul jazz/funk band, The Ex-Caminos. In addition to performing, Dennis has been a middle school music teacher in the Bronx for the past 10 years. While teaching in the Bronx, he was given a guitar lab by VH1 Save the Music and a keyboard lab from the radio station Hot97 Hip Hop Symphony. Dennis has been an instructor at the National Guitar Workshop since 1996, where he teaches blues, funk, and rock. He resides in Westchester County, NY.

Dennis is very excited to be part of four different summits this summer. He will be teaching his course, "The Total Blues Guitarist, by with his book of the same title, at the Blues Summits in Chicago and Purchase, NY. Dennis is also involved in the very exciting Jam Summit in Purchase. "To be able to spend time with Jimmy Herring and Oteil Burbridge can only be filled with life changing inspiration." Dennis' personal favorite is the Funk Summit in Purchase. "This is a dream come true for me! I have always enjoyed teaching the Funk Improv classes at the workshop and now I get to dedicate an entire week to my favorite style of music." Dennis will get to share all the cool tricks and licks he has developed over the many years of playing funk music.

http://www.dennismccumber.com


Beatles Boot Camp with Lou Manzi


Focus on the timeless music of the Fab Four in the "Beatles Boot Camp" seminar. Over the week, students will learn a wide variety of Beatles tunes, from the early days through their last recordings. In addition to learning to play several songs each day, students will analyze each song's chord progressions, strums, and licks.

According to the seminar's teacher, Lou Manzi, "It's a real blast to hear all those parts together. Just think of the great opening riff to 'Day Tripper'. You're in the class and you start it off, then the bass part kicks in, then a couple of people come in with the accompanying chords. Then we all start singing and play through the entire song, while somebody plays the solo (we learn many of the solos from the recordings). Now that's a fun experience, and it's what we do with each song we cover."

Lou's love of the Beatles and enthusiasm for this class comes across clearly in his description: "I love to teach this class because I love the music so much, and I love to see and hear the students have a great time with the music and each other. There is very little theory or scale practice involved with this one. It's pretty much play, play, and play some more."

Beatles Boot Camp will run at our SUNY Purchase, NY location from July 19th to 24th.

You can find out all about these events at the National Guitar Workshop

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Stevie Vai to be Guest at National Guitar Workshop

Just Announced!
STEVE VAI

Rock Summit
Purchase, NY July 19-24

Limited Spots Available
Register Today!

Steve Vai

This will marks Vai's first time with NGW on the East Coast, and is Vai's only summer East Coast Appearance.

As a Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso, Steve Vai's sheer breathtaking facility on the guitar is acclaimed in the rock world and beyond. Starting with his groundbreaking "Passion and Warfare" album in 1990, and throughout the years since, Vai has consistently used music as a microscope peering into the human spirit, with equal attention paid to both the darkest obsessions and the most exalted impulses contained there. While Vai clearly had what was needed to make indelible impressions during his stays with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, it's as a solo artist that he's made his most precious contributions. Each of his solo releases are unique, varied, compelling and, even when the music is looking darkness square in the face, genuinely uplifting. His most recent studio album, "Real Illusions," is a major achievement from a musical alchemist of the highest order. In addition to his recording career, Steve is involved with many worthwhile organizations. He is a former Trustee for NARAS (National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences), a board member for Hollywood Arts, and works closely with his own Make a Noise Foundation, raising money for music education. Steve has just finished a live concert DVD entitled "Where the Wild Things Are." The two hour and forty minute concert film, which was filmed in Minneapolis, will be released in August.



Register for the workshop HERE

National Guitar Workshop
(800) 234-6479
P.O. Box 222
Lakeside, CT 06758
Fax: 860-567-0374




***************************************

Be sure to sign up for the new Sojournstar Music Network!

If your on the East Coast, be sure to sign up for
MusicRVA Social Network!

and if you want to make money while having fun and promoting your band, music or business, then you must
Join me at Weblo Virtual World for Fun & Profit!