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Tony Watt: Home

New website/calendar layout!

Please check out my google calendar below for the most up-to-date summary of where and when I'll be teaching and performing next (as well as some selected shows of friends of mine). Click on the individual entries for more info, and you can also visit my calendar page for a listing of past shows, classes, etc.

On the performing page you can find out more about my band, Southeast Expressway, and my trio with Leigh Gibson. On the teaching page you can learn about the lessons, workshops, classes and kids' academies that I'm involved in, and download some free stuff! Be sure to visit my contact page and sign up for my teaching and performing newsletters. Thanks!

Tony

Award-winning flatpicking guitarist Tony Watt has performed at bluegrass festivals throughout the United States and Europe, on the Grand Ole Opry, and elsewhere. He has been featured in Bluegrass Now Magazine and Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, and toured and recorded with Nashville-based Cages Bend, east Tennessee-based Meridian, and most recently with Rounder Recording artist Alecia Nugent. Tony currently performs with his band, Southeast Expressway, and with Leigh Gibson, guitarist for The Gibson Brothers. He has taught privately for over 10 years, and now teaches courses in bluegrass guitar and mandolin for the Boston Bluegrass Union’s Bluegrass Academy. He has also taught guitar workshops and Kids' Academies at bluegrass festivals including Grey Fox, Thomas Point Beach, Joe Val, and many more. Tony teaches guitar and mandolin lessons in Albany, NY, Cambridge, MA, and points in-between.

TWO 4-HOUR GUITAR WORKSHOPS AT PODUNK

I will be teaching two workshops at the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in E. Hartford, CT. On Thursday, August 5th I will be leading Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Beyond the Basics from 1 pm until 5 pm. Then on Friday, August 6th from 10 am until 3 pm (with an hour break for lunch) I will be teaching Introduction to Bluegrass Lead Guitar. The cost is $50 per workshop, or $85 for both (and includes handouts and a CD). Enrollment is limited to 10 students per workshop, and pre-registration is required. If you're interested in attending or have any questions, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com

BLUEGRASS RHYTHM GUITAR BEYOND THE BASICS

Thursday, August 5th - 1 pm until 5 pm - This workshop is intended for guitar players who have some experience playing bluegrass rhythm, but would like to move beyond the basic bluegrass "boom-chick". Among many topics we will cover bluegrass-specific chords, syncopated bass runs between chords and syncopated G-runs, substitutional passing chords, and a fuller sounding rhythm pattern that I call the "subdivided boom-chick" rhythm. Students do not need to be able to read music, and should bring a playable guitar and a three-ring binder (handouts will be provided).

INTRODUCTION TO LEAD BLUEGRASS GUITAR

Friday, August 6th - 10 am until 3 pm with an hour lunch break - This workshop is intended for guitar players who are new to playing lead, or have had trouble learning to play lead before. In this workshop we'll learn both right and left hand technique, how to read and learn from tablature (tab), and more. We will learn the classic fiddle tune Old Joe Clark as means to introduce a variety of lead soloing techniques. To take full advantage of this course, students should already have some ability to play basic bluegrass rhythm. You don't need to have previous experience playing any style of lead guitar, or know how to read music. Students should bring a playable guitar, a capo, and a three ring binder (handouts will be provided).

GOOGLE CALENDAR - CLICK ON AN ENTRY FOR MORE INFO