Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press

NEWS/PRESS

          11/23/11  -  Various Website Updates and Class Voting

          5/29/11  -  Mandolin Classes and More This Summer

          3/4/11  -  New Wernick Method Jamming Class

          2/14/11  -  Vote for the class you want on the day/time you want

          1/26/11  -  Passim Concert and Joe Val Workshops

          1/6/11  -  Winter Classes and Jams Starting Soon

          12/20/10  -  New Jams and New Times

          8/31/10  -  New Classes and Jams Starting Soon

          7/28/10  -  Two 4-Hour Guitar Workshops at Podunk

          7/12/10  -  Boston-Area Classes in Bluegrass Guitar, Mandolin and Jamming

          7/5/10  -  Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival - Band Showcase & Guitar Workshops

          4/11/10  -  WUMB's Guitar and Mandolin Clinic on Sunday, April 11th

          2/5/10  -  Two New BBU Classes in Cambridge: Directed Slow Jam & Bluegrass Lead Guitar

          12/22/09  -  Two Courses (with Jams) for Mandolin and Guitar in Cambridge, MA

          12/7/09  -  Big News & Open House Jam Session on 12/16 in Cambridge, MA

          9/22/09  -  Two Introductory Classes: Bluegrass Mandolin and Rhythm Guitar

          6/22/09  -  Two New Boston-Area Jam Sessions for Bluegrass Musicians

          6/13/09  -  Workshop with Lincoln Meyers on Sat, June 13 in Brookline, MA

          2/27/09  -  Upcoming appearances with Leigh Gibson

          1/16/09  -  Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar and Mandolin Lessons in the Boston Area

          12/18/08  -  Cages Bend "Now I’m Lonely" featured on The Bluegrass Blog

          9/21/08  -  Tony appears in Bluegrass Now Magazine

          9/20/08  -  Tony appears in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine

          7/13/08  -  Grand Ole Opry with Alecia Nugent this Friday & Saturday

Various Website Updates and Class Voting

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Wow, it's been six months since I last updated my website, and unfortunately it may be a while before I get to it again. I've cleaned up some loose ends and added some new content such as the forum, skype lessons, instrument purchasing advice, referral discount, and links to some of my favorite products.

If you've been following my teaching lately, you may know that I've started to use a new system for scheduling classes, where students can vote for the class of their choice and the days they are available. I hope to continue to use this system throughout the year to offer classes in winter, spring, summer and fall. Course descriptions can be found on my teaching page. Here is a list of the most common classes I offer:

1. Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar: Basics and Beyond
2. Beginning Bluegrass Lead Flatpicking Guitar
3. Beginning Bluegrass Mandolin: Rhythm & Lead
4. Beginner/Intermediate Lead Guitar & Mandolin
5. Wernick Method Jam Class

If you're interested in any of these classes, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com and let me know which class (or classes), and which day(s)/time(s) would potentially work best for you. Please note that your reply does not constitute a commitment on your part to take a class, but instead is just a way to increase the chances that you might be able to attend a class you're interested in.

If you don't see a class listed that you'd be interested in taking, or if you have any other questions, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com

Mandolin Classes and More This Summer

Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 -0700

This summer I will be offering a Beginning Bluegrass Mandolin: Rhythm & Lead course for adults and teens through the Boston Bluegrass Union's Bluegrass Academy. This class is meant for those who are new to the mandolin, or have been frustrated trying to learn before. Not only will we cover both rhythm and lead, but by the end of the class you will be able to jam on both vocal and instrumental tunes. You do not need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, and you don't need to be able to read music.

The Beginning Bluegrass Mandolin class will start on Monday, June 13th from 7 until 8:30 pm, and will meet every other Monday until August 7th. The course cost includes a corresponding book and companion CD (worth $25), and a year-long BBU membership worth $15. The class will meet in north Cambridge, a half mile from where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T station. This location is one block from the intersection of Rt. 16 and Mass. Ave., near the Cambridge/Arlington border. There is plenty of meter-free, permit-free parking, and it is also only a 10 min. walk from Alewife.

This summer I will also be performing and teaching at the following:

June 5th - Tony Watt & Southeast Expressway at The Real School of Music in Burlington, MA - performing at 5 pm, after the band scramble
June 23rd & 24th - Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival's Bluegrass University in Tunbridge, VT - afternoon workshops for adults and teens
July 14th-17th - Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival's Bluegrass Academy for Kids - instructing the Seniors' Band, performing on Sunday
July 26th - Tony Watt & Southeast Expressway at The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge, MA - special double-length show from 8:30 until 11 pm
July 28th-30th - Gotham Acoustic & Metro Banjo Workshops in Queens, NY - guitar workshops on the St. John’s University Campus
August 3rd-7th - Podunk Bluegrass Festival's Adult Academy in E. Hartford, CT- free and paid workshops for adults and teens
August 22nd-25th - Fiddle Pal Camp New England in Newton, MA - guitar workshops and house band member

New Wernick Method Jamming Class

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Starting on Sunday, March 13th, I will be teaching a weekly Bluegrass Jamming Class using the Pete Wernick Method. This class is open to all instruments, and all levels, and the only requirement is that you're able to switch between G, C, D and A smoothly. Pete's method is helpful for both complete beginners and more experienced jammers, and the class is sure to cover a variety of skills that I don't normally teach in my other classes and jam sessions.

The primary difference between the Wernick Method Jamming Class and my teacher-directed jams, is that the Wernick Method Jamming Class will use no handouts (other than lyric sheets if needed). Therefore students will learn important skills such as how to follow a guitar player's chords, and how to build a basic bluegrass solo by ear. These are important jamming skills that many find crucial to attending open jams (with no set repertoire and no handouts). Because of these core differences, this class will be appropriate for people who have never jammed before, and people who have been jamming for a while. For those who attend my jams, this class is appropriate for people who attend my jams between the Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced levels.

The Wernick Method Jamming Class will meet in Cambridge every Sunday from 3 until 5:30 pm, from March 13th through April 17th. The cost is $145 for 6 two and a half hour sessions. You can get more details (and sign up on-line if you're interested) by clicking here. Please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you have any other questions.

Vote for the class you want on the day/time you want

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

I'm trying out a new system for scheduling classes in the Boston area, where students can vote for the class of their choice and the days they are available. I hope to offer a variety of classes starting at the end of February or early March. Course descriptions can be found on my teaching page. Below is a list of potential classes I could offer, and the available time slots:

1. Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar: Basics and Beyond
2. Beginning Bluegrass Lead Flatpicking Guitar
3. Beginning Bluegrass Mandolin: Rhythm & Lead
4. Intermediate Mandolin & Guitar (joint class)
5. Intermediate/Advanced Rhythm Guitar

A. Tuesdays starting at 8:30 pm
B. Wednesdays between 7 and 10 pm
C. Thursdays between 7 and 10 pm
D. Fridays or Saturdays anytime

If you're interested in any of these classes, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com and let me know which class (or classes), and which day(s)/time(s) would potentially work best for you. Please note that your reply does not constitute a commitment on your part to take a class, but instead is just a way to increase the chances that you might be able to attend a class you're interested in.

If you don't see a class listed that you'd be interested in taking, or if you have any other questions, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com

Passim Concert and Joe Val Workshops

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800

I am super-excited that my band, Southeast Expressway, will be playing a show at one of the most venerable folk clubs in the country: Passim in Harvard Sq. in Cambridge. We will be playing on Saturday, February 5th at 3:30 pm; a matinee show with one long set until 5 pm or so.

Tickets cost $12 ($10 for Passim members), and reserved dinner tables require a $5 minimum food purchase per person. Details can be found at www.passim.org, and tickets can be purchased here.

FAST TRACK BEGINNER WORKSHOPS
at the JOE VAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

This year at the Boston Bluegrass Union's Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, I will once again be teaching Fast Track Beginner Classes on Friday, February 18th. This year I will be teaching two separate classes, although beginners are encouraged to sign up for both:

11 am - 1 pm: Beginning Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar
The rhythm workshop is intended for those who have played at least a little guitar before, and are able to switch between common open chords (such as G, C and D). The lead workshop is intended for those who can play bluegrass rhythm guitar, but are new to playing lead, or who have been frustrated trying to learn to play lead before. But even if you've never played any bluegrass guitar before, you will be well prepared to take the lead workshop if you take the rhythm workshop beforehand.

More details can be found on the BBU's Master Class website. Enrollment is limited, so please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions.

Winter Classes and Jams Starting Soon

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800

This winter I will once again be offering a variety of classes for adults and teens through the Boston Bluegrass Union's Bluegrass Academy. These classes are among my most popular teaching tools, offering students a cost-effective and supportive social environment in which to learn. Here is a list of the classes I will be offering this winter, but please note that the Cambridge classes will be an hour long (instead of the usual 90 minutes), and will meet weekly (instead of every other week):

1. Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar: Basics and Beyond (Brookline)
- for guitar players who want to improve their rhythm playing
- every other Thursday from 7 - 8:30 pm, Jan. 20th to Mar. 17st
- classes will be held in Brookline, near Cleveland Circle

2. Beginning Bluegrass Lead Flatpicking Guitar (Cambridge)
- for guitar players who want to learn how to take bluegrass solos
- every Wednesday from 8:30 - 9:30 pm, Jan. 12th to Feb. 23rd
- classes will be held in N. Cambridge, near Alewife Station

3. Beginning Bluegrass Mandolin: Rhythm & Lead (Cambridge)
- for those who have never (or recently) started learning mandolin
- every Tuesday from 8:30 - 9:30 pm, Jan. 11th to Feb. 22nd
- classes will be held in N. Cambridge, near Alewife Station

I will also be hosting a variety of "teacher-directed" jam sessions, where students have the opportunity to learn from each other, from tabs and mp3s I distribute, and from our discussions about how to improve our playing. Details can be found on my teaching page and on my google calendar (by clicking on the individual entries for more info). Enrollment is limited, so please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. Thanks!

New Jams and New Times

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Monday's Intermediate Jam is moving to a new time: 7 pm, which will allow for two bi-weekly jams to meet at 8:30 pm. The brand new Intermediate/Advanced Jam is geared towards those people who have taken my Int/Adv soloing class, and are working on a new handful of songs, while the Advanced Jam is for musicians who know dozens of tunes, and has no set repertoire. Here is a summary of the jam sessions I will be hosting in North Cambridge by level:

1. Weekly Beginner Jam - Every Wednesday from 7 - 8:30 pm
- For beginners on all instruments who know a few tunes

2. Weekly Beg/Int Jam - Every Tuesday from 7 - 8:30 pm
- For intermediate players who want to play slowly

3. Weekly Intermediate Jam - Every Monday from 7 - 8:30 pm
- For intermediate players who want to play up to speed

4. Bi-weekly Int/Adv Jam - Every other Monday from 8:30 - 10 pm
- For those working on tunes beyond the Intermediate Jam

5. Bi-weekly Advanced Jam - Every other Monday from 8:30 - 10 pm
- For advanced players who knows dozens of tunes

These jam sessions are among my most popular teaching tools, offering students a cost-effective, level-appropriate, and supportive social environment in which to learn. Enrollment is limited to 8 for each jam, so please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. Thanks!

New Classes and Jams Starting Soon

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

This fall I will again be teaching a variety of classes for adults and teens through the Boston Bluegrass Union's Bluegrass Academy. These classes are among my most popular teaching tools, offering students a cost-effective and supportive social environment in which to learn. I will also be hosting a variety of "teacher-directed" jam sessions, where students have the opportunity to learn from each other, from tabs and mp3s I distribute, and from our discussions about how to improve our playing. Starting in early October, I will be teaching the following classes and jams on a weekly or bi-weekly basis:

CLASSES:
Directed Slow Jam Class For All Instruments (every Tuesday at 7:30 pm)
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar: Basics and Beyond (every other Wednesday at 8:30 pm)
Lead Bluegrass Guitar and Mandolin Beyond the Basics (every other Wednesday at 8:30 pm)
Intermediate/Advanced Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin (every other Monday at 7 pm)

JAMS:
Beginner Jam Session Series (every Wednesday at 7 pm)
Beginner/Intermediate Jam Session (every other Monday at 7 pm)
Intermediate Jam Session Series (every Monday at 8:30 pm)

Courses consist of 5 ninety minute classes, except for the Directed Slow Jam Class which meets seven times. The cost varies depending on the course, but typically includes a complimentary book and CD which correspond to the course. My teacher-directed jams are usually weekly or biweekly, and typically last 90 minutes. Students can sign up for a jam session series, which guarantees them a spot in the jam of their choice and gives them a substantial discount. Otherwise, students are invited to RSVP to jams on a first come, first served basis at the regular per-session cost.

All of these classes and jams will be meeting in North Cambridge, a half mile from where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T station. There is plenty of meter-free, permit-less parking, and it also a 10-minute walk from Alewife. If you are interested in any of these classes or jams, or have any questions, please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com

Two 4-Hour Guitar Workshops at Podunk

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

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).