Workshops with Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell

Bryan McDowell - Flatpick Guitar:   The guitar is a swiss army knife and mainstay tool in any band. This brief workshop will give you a sense of how I approach the many roles for the acoustic guitar in traditional roots music and give you a game plan for your own development. The workshop will focus on the goals and needs of those in attendance as a whole, and will include topics like: honing your sense of rhythm, chord transitioning as well as filling rhythmic space, broadening your chord knowledge, stretching your lead playing into new spaces, and even giving some glances at improvisation. All ages and levels welcome, though the topics here are most appropriate for intermediate – advanced level guitarists with a solid knowledge of guitar fundamentals.

A talented multi-instrumentalist, Bryan has amassed twenty-one first place instrumental competition wins including such notables as Merlefest (mandolin ’09 & guitar ’10), Galax Virginia’s Old Time Fiddler’s Convention (fiddle ’09 and guitar ’10), the Wayne C. Henderson Guitar Competition and the most notable at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. He is the first person in the history of bluegrass to win first place in three instrument categories (fiddle, guitar and mandolin) at the 2009 national competition in Winfield. (Here is a great interview with Bryan: https://flatpick.libsyn.com/fgm-podcast-38-with-bryan-mc-dowell; https://www.facebook.com/bryanmcdowell28)

Mark Schatz - Southern Appalachian Clogging:  Appalachian Clogging is a joyous and organic American dance form that evolved in the southeastern US from the blending of varied cultural traditions including those of the British Isles, Native Americans, and African Americans. I will emphasize the feel and pulse of the Green Grass Cloggers/Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble style of clogging as we learn the basic step, chugs, and a variety of other fun steps including the Indian, the Earl, the Lone Ranger, and the back step. We'll start from scratch and have you bustin' loose in no time!

Open to all levels. Tie up shoes are preferred, leather soled if possible, but any shoe that doesn’t stick to the floor (like new tennis shoes) will do. Flip flops are not recommended. No taps please.

A two-time winner of the IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award, Mark is best known for his contributions on some of the most iconic recordings in bluegrass by artists such as Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, Claire Lynch, Tim O’Brien, Sara Jarosz, and Nickel Creek. Mark is a master of Southern Appalachian clogging and hambone, and his stagecraft was honed through a long association with the acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, for whom he still serves as Musical Director. (https://www.markschatz.net)

Workshop Ticket $30

The workshops will be followed by a concert by the duo at 2:00PM. Tickets for the concert are available here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/progressiveconcerts/751933

Jam: Bring your instrument! There is enough room at the Buzz for multiple jams after the concert.