Click on the Facebook album below for pictures from our Winter Recital. All of the performers did a great job and the recording is available for download in our student portal. Enjoy!
This Saturday, I’ll be playing the music of The Band with my fellow Elegant Bachelors at Venkman’s in Old Fourth Ward. From time to time we will play an entire night of a band’s catalog. In the past we’ve played an entire night of music by The Beatles, The Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers.
For me, it is always great to revisit these catalogs and absorb myself in the songs. Although I have played these songs many times, there is always something exposing itself for the first time. Whether it’s a new lyric, different chord or riff, or a new version that I haven’t heard before.
The Band are a musicians’ band. They were road tested, solid players with great vocals, musicianship and stage presence (some of the many reasons they made a great backing band for Bob Dylan). Other classic bands can be put in this category, Little Feat, Steely Dan, etc., but the Band possessed a rawness that is difficult to capture. They were Americana before it was a musical genre. How did this Canadian-American band so perfectly capture the essence of American music, blues, soul and country?
Much like The Band are a musicians’ band, Robbie Robertson is a guitarists’ guitarist. He has a unique style that is understated, tasteful, funky, sensitive and confident. Perhaps his most trademark technique is the use of pinch harmonics (picking the string with the thumb of the right hand immediately after the pick strikes the string). Add to that unapologetic bends, string squealing and chunky double stops and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with. He was a songwriter, singer and lead guitarist of one of the most influential rock and roll bands of the 20th century. Have a listen here for the band at their peak with some live recordings released a few years ago from 1971. They are not just any band, they are THE BAND.
Rehearsals for our first adult band will begin on Tuesday, November 1st. Brandon Marsolo will be playing drums and coaching the ensemble. The group will focus on rock and blues techniques. Brandon has plenty of experience in leading rehearsals and will be able to provide expert instruction on individual and group performance. This is something I think that has been missing at the Shed and there is a lot to be learned from playing in a group setting.
You are welcome to use our equipment at the Shed or bring your own. The cost will be $30 per 90 min rehearsal from 8:00-9:30. The rehearsals will culminate in a final performance at our recital on December 18. Tuition will be pro-rated and added to your monthly invoice. There will be no make-up classes, but we are happy to adjust invoices prior to payment if you will be absent. You can sign up online through our student portal or email us directly if you are interested. Limited to 6 students.
It’s almost that time of year again! I know it’s only September, but we’re already gearing up for our 2nd annual Winter Recital. The date is set for Sunday, December 18 at The Red Light Cafe at 7 pm. So mark your calendars and be thinking of what songs you would like to play!
For those of you that have not participated in a recital yet, we will have an adult set and a kids set. All students have the opportunity to perform solo or with teacher accompaniment. Feel free to play some festive tunes and wear some festive gear, after all it is the most wonderful time of the year!
Our students played a diverse and challenging selection of material to a packed house at the Summer Recital! With everything from Bach to Leon Bridges; gospel and folk songs to jazz, rock and hip hop; piano, guitar, bass and ukulele, this night was a beautiful representation of our little music school. We strive to be rooted in the past and forging ahead to new musical territory. I couldn’t be more proud of all of the performers and hope you take it on yourself to keep hopping up on stage and honing your craft. Not only is the recital a venue to show friends and family what you’ve been working on in your private lessons, but it is a creative outlet to connect with other musicians and students. There is a great deal to be learned from each performance opportunity and it is a gift and privilege that I hope you all cherish.
Big thanks to our Guitar Shed photographer in residence, Cindy Wnek for capturing some great moments at the Summer Recital! Also, big thanks again to the Red Light Cafe for having us back. Until the next one…. keep on Shedding!
P.S. If you haven’t already downloaded the audio from the evening, you can login and download the file from our library page. You can also click on the link below for pictures!
Summer Recital Poster by Kayla Shults
This Wednesday is the first Guitar Shed Open Mic at The Pullman in downtown Kirkwood! What exactly does that mean? Well, this is the first one so it will be a learning process for everyone. But here are some guidelines….
This is a songwriter open mic, so the performance of your own material is encouraged but not required. Before I began writing my own songs, I learned a great deal from performing covers. Sorry, no spoken word or comedy is allowed. While it is important to practice your instrument on your own, I am a firm believer that the real learning takes place in front of an audience. This is a great low pressure way to hone your chops at a neighborhood watering hole. Did I mention they have great food?!
Sign up begins at 8:30 pm but you can sign up at any point throughout the night. Performance slots will be a maximum of 15 minutes starting at 9:00 pm and ending at 11:00 pm. This is a public open mic, so you don’t have to be a student at Guitar Shed to perform or attend. However, I encourage my students to do both! We will have a small PA system with a couple of mics and instrument cables. So just bring your axe, some friends and some songs!
The Pullman
1992 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317, USA
(404) 371-1115
