Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something blue,
And a silver sixpence in her shoe
This olde English rhyme describes a tradition of what brides should wear on their wedding day. Like most rhymes similar to this one, its origins are lost in history. However, according to the Deep Thought computer algorithm “Wikipedia” (the repository of all human knowledge worth knowing) we can explain some of the items in the rhyme. Evidently “something old” and “something blue” in a bride’s trousseau could have their origins in fending off the evil eye! Unfortunately these old English rhymes did not anticipate a more modern society where traditions have evolved so I think the rhyme is good advice for brides and grooms alike. Beware the evil eye! I’ve never really understood what an “evil eye” is or does, because after all in our society it can mean so many things. I typically think about it when I say something inappropriate in a crowd, an altogether frequent occurrence, and someone close to me gives me the “eye”, sometimes also known as the “hairy eyeball”. I guess it is better than a kick in the shins. But, with an eye towards music camp we try to mix up our instructors with some old and some new…..the blue is already there (as in bluegrass). We can assure you there are a bunch of borrowed instruments, especially if you are a CBA member and check out an instrument from the CBA lending library. The only thing that might be missing are some sixpences stuck in shoes. Maybe penny loafers would work! So, come marry yourself to this musical experience and help us celebrate many more music camp and festival anniversaries.
This month there are three instructors we’d like to introduce. I think at least one might be new to music camp, and I am told that at least one taught long before my time.
Rafe Stefanini is teahing Old-Time Guitar Back-Up level 1/2. This class will concentrate on the role of the guitar in an old time band or as the back up to a fiddle or a banjo, as well as a back up to songs and is designed for players with intermediate ability. There will be a good amount of listening done to old recordings of influential guitar masters such as Riley Puckett, John Dilleshaw, Asa Martin etc. and together we will unravel their secrets. We will be using a flatpick primarily but we will look into the use of thumb and index as well in the styles of Maybelle Carter and Roscoe Holcomb.
Rafe Stefanini has been one of the foremost interpreters of American Traditional Mountain Music on fiddle, banjo and guitar and song for nearly three decades, since his arrival to the US from his native Italy in 1983. His work with bands like The Wildcats, The L7s, Big Hoedown, The Rockinghams and his current duo with daughter Clelia has produced over 20 recordings and he has performed all around the US, Southeast Asia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and many more places near and far. As a teacher he has been a staple at music events such as Ashokan Fiddle and Dance, The Swannanoa Gathering, The Augusta Heritage Foundation, and he has been a judge at the prestigious contest at The Appalachian Mountain Music Festival in Clifftop, W.Va. many times. The late Mike Seeger once called him “a national treasure”. He is currently performing with Clelia, solo, and with Jumpsteady Boys. You can reach him at rafeyjello@aol.com or 215 888 5136. For video clips search www.Youtube.com
Carol McComb will be teaching Traditional Bluegrass and Country Singing Styles, level 2/3 This class offers detailed information and individual guidance with lots of singing in traditional bluegrass and country styles, including ornamentation, vocal technique, tone production, exercises to strengthen your voice and increase your range, etc.. Sight reading is not a pre-requisite, but you will receive exact transcriptions of artists like Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, the Louvin Brothers, Ginny Hawker, Roscoe Holcomb and more to help you remember the details of each song. Some harmony singing will be covered, but the focus will be on vocal technique and helping you find the best key for the songs you already know.
Carol McComb is a vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with over 40 years of performing, recording, and teaching experience in bluegrass and other styles. She is a veteran of the Gryphon Quintet (known for their gospel harmonies and Carol’s original bluegrass songs) who played in the CBA festival often in the 1980s. Her songs have been recorded by Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Keith Little, and many others. She has toured with Linda Ronstadt and Joan Baez. These days when Carol is not teaching, she tours as one half of the Elektra Records traditional folk and old-time duo “Kathy and Carol. Carol can be found on the net at www.carolmccomb.com
Sally Van Meter will be teaching Dobro level 3. This class is designed to get you all through the reality check of what playing Dobro is really about: Musicality: melody, lyrical phrasing, tone production, slide bar control, clarity, and again, connecting those fingerboard threads that are so important to be able to solo with ease and confidence. We will work on all of those aspects, plus learn a few songs/tunes, and what to do with them past the initial getting to know the song/tune – meaning how to solo on the fly. Much of the class will be taught by ear, and I will provide some tab, but the tab is for you to spend time with outside of class as much as possible. We will learn some good technical and practice skills and habits you can take home with you as well. We will also spend a short amount of time considering minor scale songs, and have a great time working with the bluesy side of bluegrass Dobro. There will be varying levels of ability in this class, but there is always common ground, and my hope/goal is to fill in some of the blanks for you all.
Sally Van Meter is a native Californian hailing originally from Chico, CA. She was an early member of “Good Ol’ Persons” and has played with David Grisman, Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice, Chris Hillman, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan and the Rowan Brothers, Laurie Lewis, Russ Barenberg, Kathy Kallick, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Maura O’Connell and Leftover Salmon. Sally is well known to dobro players world wide for her clean style, lyrical breaks, and powerful picking.
Registration for the 2015 CBA Music Camp opened on February 7 during some welcome precipitation. The 15th CBA Summer Music Camp will take place June 14th to 17th at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, California. More information is available at the music camp website http://cbamusiccamp.com. And we would like to remind you that you can give CBA Music Camp as a gift for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Graduation, Birthdays Valentine’s Day, and even April Fool’s Day. Check it out at our web site.
