http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html Tony Watt: News/Press Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:25:46 -0700 http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#8 Two 4-Hour Guitar Workshops at Podunk

          Boston-Area Classes in Bluegrass Guitar, Mandolin and Jamming

          Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival - Band Showcase & Guitar Workshops

          WUMB's Guitar and Mandolin Clinic on Sunday, April 11th

          Two New BBU Classes in Cambridge: Directed Slow Jam & Bluegrass Lead Guitar

          Two Courses (with Jams) for Mandolin and Guitar in Cambridge, MA

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

          Two Introductory Classes: Bluegrass Mandolin and Rhythm Guitar

          Two New Boston-Area Jam Sessions for Bluegrass Musicians

          Workshop with Lincoln Meyers on Sat, June 13 in Brookline, MA

          Upcoming appearances with Leigh Gibson

          Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar and Mandolin Lessons in the Boston Area

          Cages Bend "Now I’m Lonely" featured on The Bluegrass Blog

          Tony appears in Bluegrass Now Magazine

          Tony appears in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine

          Grand Ole Opry with Alecia Nugent this Friday & Saturday]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#8 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#18 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).]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#18 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#17
1. Intermediate/Advanced Soloing for Guitar and Mandolin
Every other Monday from 7 - 8:30 pm, starting Monday, July 19th
Five 90-minute classes

2. Directed Slow Jam Class (for all instruments)
Every Tuesday from 7:30 - 9 pm, starting Tuesday, July 20th
Seven 75-minute classes

3. Introduction to Lead Flatpicking Guitar
Every other Wednesday from 7 - 8:30 pm, starting Wednesday, July 21st
Five 90-minute classes, includes a corresponding book and companion CD

4. Introduction to Bluegrass Mandolin (rhythm and lead)
Every other Wednesday from 7 - 8:30 pm, starting Wednesday, July 28th
Five 90-minute classes, includes a corresponding book and companion CD

The class price varies by course, but each is limited to 8 participants. The "non-member" cost is for those who are not currently members of the Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU). Enrollment in any course includes a yearlong BBU membership (a $15 value for only $10), therefore you should not sign up for BBU membership prior to enrolling in classes. Classes will be held in North Cambridge, a half mile from where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T station. It is only a 10 minute walk from Alewife, and there is also plenty of meter-free, permit-free parking (but please be advised that traffic can be very heavy heading outbound on Mass. Ave. and on Rt. 16 during rush hour).

Brief course descriptions can be found on my teaching page. Complete course descriptions can be found on the BBU website (http://bbu.org/ed_bg_academy.html) and on my homepage (http://www.theoriginaltonywatt.com). Enrollment is limited to 8 for each class so please let me know as soon as possible if you are interested. Please e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com to sign up or if you have any questions. Thanks!]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#17 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#16 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, NY. I will be performing with my band Southeast Expressway, and teaching various guitar workshops throughout the weekend, in addition to once again leading the Bluegrass Academy for Kids advanced Seniors Class. Here is a brief summary of my schedule at Grey Fox:

Guitar Workshop with Josh Williams and Bob Harris
Thursday, July 15th at 3 pm - Masters Stage

Tony Watt & Southeast Expressway - Band Showcase
Thursday, July 15th at 7 pm - Masters Stage

Guitar 101 with Tony Watt - Rhythm Guitar Workshop
Friday, July 16th at 6 pm - Grass Roots Stage

Guitar 102 with Tony Watt - Lead Guitar Workshop
Saturday, July 17th at 6 pm - Grass Roots Stage

Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids performance
Sunday, July 18th at 2 pm - Main Stage

Complete details and schedule can be found on the Grey Fox website.]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#16 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#15
WUMB's Guitar and Mandolin Clinic is an afternoon of classes that feature instruction from Beginners to Advanced in Guitar and Mandolin. Two sessions run in early and late afternoon, and each workshop is 3 hours long. The Guitar Clinic Space Reservation form is available at http://wumb.org/events/guitarclinicreserve0410.pdf

The fee to attend each afternoon session is $35 (WUMB Members $30). You can pay by Visa, MasterCard or Discover. If you plan to attend both sessions, and would like to order Pizza and a soft drinks or water for the 3 pm break, you must place the order to do this in advance.]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#15 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#13 teaching page and on the BBU website.

The Directed Slow Jam Class is open to all bluegrass instruments, both melody and backup, 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 such as keeping time, non-verbal communication and jam etiquette. There are no prerequisite songs, however you should be able to play melodies or backup parts (i.e. guitarists should be able to change between chords comfortably). This class will meet every week on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:45 pm for seven weeks starting on March 3rd and ending on April 14th. This class will meet in Cambridge, MA 02140 near where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T Station. The cost is $135 for BBU members, $145 for non-members, which includes a BBU membership.

The other class, Lead Bluegrass Guitar Beyond the First Fiddle Tune, is for those who have recently started playing lead guitar, or who have been frustrated trying to progress beyond a handful of tunes. Most of the students in the class will already know how to pick Old Joe Clark, but you can participate even if you don't know the tune. This class will meet every other Monday from 7:30 to 9 pm starting on February 22nd also in Cambridge, MA 02140 near where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T Station. The course will consist of five 90 minute sessions (on Feb. 22nd, Mar. 8th & 22nd, and Apr. 5th & 19th). The cost is $125 for BBU members, $135 for non-members, which includes a BBU membership.

Enrollment is limited so please e-mail me as soon as possible at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. Thanks!

Tony]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#13 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#12 BBU's website.

If you know of anybody interested in learning bluegrass guitar or mandolin, these courses are a cost-effective way to get started, and also make great gifts. In addition to these two short courses, I will be offering two bi-weekly jam sessions that will be an ideal supplement to what we cover in the respective courses.

The first class will be a Basic Introduction to Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar, and is intended for those who have played a little guitar before, and are able to switch between common open chords (such as G, C and D). You don't need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, or playing with a pick, and you don't need to be able to read music. This class will meet every other Wednesday at 7:30 pm starting on January 6th in in Brookline, MA 02445 at the same location as the Boston Front Porch jam. The course will consist of three 90 minute sessions (on Jan. 6, Jan. 20, and Feb. 3), and the cost is $80 for BBU members, $90 for non-members, which includes a BBU membership.

The second class will be a joint mandolin and guitar class, and is titled First Fiddle Tune for Mandolin and Guitar. This course is geared towards mandolin and guitar players who have played some bluegrass before, but are new to playing lead, or have had trouble learning to play lead before. We will focus on learning the classic fiddle tune Old Joe Clark as a means to introduce a variety of lead soloing techniques. You don't need to have previous experience playing any style of lead mandolin or guitar, or know how to read music. This class will meet every other Monday at 7:30 pm starting on January 11th in Cambridge, MA 02140 near the Arlington/Cambridge border. The course will consist of three 90 minute sessions (on Jan. 11, Jan. 25, and Feb. 8), and the cost is $80 for BBU members, $90 for non-members, which includes a BBU membership.

As an added bonus, this winter I will be offering two sections of my teacher-directed jam sessions for mandolin and guitar players. Each class will have a jam session every other week at the same location as the class, but during the off week. These jam sessions will be open to the public, however they will be geared towards the students in my classes. There will be a jam session every other Wednesday in Brookline, where we will only be playing the very first songs I teach in my introductory courses. And there will be a jam session every other Monday in Cambridge, where we will be playing those same tunes as well as a handful of other tunes we've all recently learned together. If you enroll in one of the courses described above, you will receive one free pass to attend the jam session of your choice.

Enrollment is limited so please sign up as soon as possible; e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. I plan on offering follow-on courses to both of these short courses starting in late February, so if you don't see a course that you're interested in, please let me know. Thanks!

Tony]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#12 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#11
The jam is primarily intended for guitar, mandolin, and aspiring pickers, however non-pickers are welcome too. All levels of pickers (both rhythm and lead) are invited to participate, although the main jam will be geared towards beginner and intermediate players. There will be jamming opportunities for folks who know just a one or hundreds of songs, and as my students know from my other jams, I will have copies of the lyrics, chords, and tabs for many of the songs we play (as well as mp3s for you to practice along with when you get home). If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to me at tonywatt@gmail.com

My new house is located in Cambridge, MA, one block from the intersection of Rt. 16 and Mass. Ave., on the border with Arlington. This location is conveniently less than a half mile (and only two turns) from where Rt. 2 hits Cambridge at the Alewife T Station. There is lots of meter-free, permit-free parking, and it is also only a 10 min walk from Alewife. If you have any questions about this Open House or anything else, please let me know. Thanks again for all your support, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it!

Tony]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#11 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#10 Bluegrass Academy, and complete details can be found on the BBU website and on my teaching page.

The mandolin class is geared towards those who have never played mandolin before, and will cover both rhythm and lead. The rhythm guitar class is intended for those who have played at least a little guitar before, and are able to switch between common open chords. For both classes, you don't need to have previous experience playing (or even listening to) bluegrass, or playing with a pick, and you don't need to be able to read music.

The mandolin course will meet every other Tuesday from 7:30 - 9 pm, starting Tuesday, October 6th, at Sandy's Music in Cambridge, between Harvard and Central Square (896 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139). The rhythm guitar course will meet every other Monday from 7 - 8:30 pm, starting Monday, October 5th, at 175 Richdale Ave. in Cambridge, MA 02140. Both courses consist of five 90 minute sessions held on a bi-weekly basis.

Enrollment is limited so please sign up as soon as possible; e-mail me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions.]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#10 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#9
The Beginner/Intermediate jams are typically held on Mondays at 175 Richdale Ave. in Cambridge, MA 02140. 175 Richdale Ave., also known as Cambridge Cohousing, is less than 2 miles from the intersection of Rte. 2 and Rte. 16 at the Alewife T Station. It also 0.4 miles from the Porter Sq. T station; about a 10 minute walk. There is ample resident parking on both sides of the street, and the Cambridge Traffic Department will be notified not to ticket there on jam nights.

The Intermediate/Advanced jams are typically held on Tuesdays, at Sandy’s Music at 896 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge, between Harvard and Central Square. We will be finishing up in time for folks to head over to The Cantab Lounge (about 4 blocks from Sandy’s) in time to catch the featured act upstairs or jam in the downstairs.

The cost for both directed jams is $20 (or $10 if you only want to play rhythm, or already know the leads), and and the jam size is limited, so you should RSVP to me at tonywatt@gmail.com if you’re interested or have any questions.]]> http://theoriginaltonywatt.com/news.html#9 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Bluegrass Guitar & Mandolin - Lessons, Classes, Workshops & Jams - Tony Watt - News/Press