Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch: Getaway Weekends

Fur Peace Ranch: On the Road

1/12/09 – 1/16/09
Miracle Springs Resort and Spa
(Desert Hot Springs, California)

Click Here to Sign Up for the Miracle Hots Springs Getaway Weekend

Nestled in the foothills of Joshua Tree National Park, beautiful Miracle Springs Resort and Spa overlooks the Palm Springs Valley.

People come from all over the world to take advantage of the powers of our hot mineral water spas. The springs rise from a deep well and pour directly into our pools and spas. Protected and undiscovered until the 20th century, the curative nature of these waters is the secret of life in Desert Hot Springs.

After soothing your body, mind and soul you'll be ready to enjoy the myriad of other activities the resort has to offer. Miracle Hot Springs staff will be happy to tell you about the championship golf courses, hiking, shopping, gaming, sightseeing, entertainment and desert night life available to you.

Jorma Kaukonen Fundamentals of Fingerstyle w/ TA Marjorie Thompson

This workshop explores essential fingerstyle fundamentals using Jorma's repertoire as a vehicle. We will emphasize alternating bass, and melody lines that break out of pattern picking. Variations used within the songs will include chord inversions up the neck, as well as typical licks and fills characteristic of songs in different keys. It will be assumed that students have familiarity with first position chords, and may even have substantial experience as lead or rhythm guitarists. Examples of some songs covered in recent classes include Keep on Truckin; Nine Pound Hammer; Search My Heart; I Know You Rider. Jorma will break down each piece methodically and provide individual attention to each student as the songs are built. Teaching assistant Marjorie Thompson will support this instruction with the individual mini- tutorials in class, after class review sessions, and class notes that reflect each piece as it is developed, with partial tabs, chord patterns, notations and alternatives. She will also make clean recordings of Jorma's renditions reflecting the class notes. These and other handouts (lyric sheets, etc), along with CD copies of the recordings, will be assembled and sent to each participant in the weeks following as a "Jorma pack" for continued study.

Country Blues Licks and Tricks/ Fingerstyle

This workshop will focus on licks and tricks developed by some of the country blues guitar masters of the 1920's and 30's, some of whom mentored Roy directly, in the 1960's. Roy tries to "spiral" each special chord or trick into subsequent tunes so the students become accustomed to applying the finger positions in different keys. We will study many turn-arounds, endings and chord inversions. Much of what we will work on can be used in "jazzing up" tunes that you already play. Says Roy "Although I travelled and studied with The Rev. Gary Davis and gained inspiration from his style, I do not really sound like him. But was a great influence on my playing. It is important for each player to develop his own sound, but it doesn't hurt to borrow from the past and share in an important legacy."

Roy Book Binder

Roy has been described as a guitar pickin' hillbilly bluesman. Back in the 60's he began his career, traveling and learning guitar from the legendary Rev. Gary Davis and Pink Anderson, a medicine show entertainer who recorded back in 1928. Book Binder has recorded five albums and has performed at most major blues and folk festivals in the U.S. and Europe, including Merlefest. He has toured with Bonnie Raitt, and has shared the stage with many great bluesmen including; BB King, John Jackson, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. Roy has appeared regularly on Nashville Now, a national cable TV show and has been included in Sheldon Harris' book, The Blues who's who. Roy is a veteran teacher whose engaging style of music and storyteller have enraptured his students at many workshops nationally. He is a regular at the Fur Peace Ranch. www.roybookbinder.com

1/19/09 – 1/23/09
Miracle Springs Resort and Spa
(Desert Hot Springs, California)

Click Here to Sign Up for the Miracle Hots Springs Getaway Weekend

Jorma Kaukonen Proficient: Repertoire and Skillbuilding

For players with a well honed thumb, and fingerstyle experience, Jorma will employ his effective teaching technique of presenting his songs by breaking them down into comprehensible parts. He will demonstrate the variety of licks, runs and embellishments that provide style and nuance, and also represent a vocabulary of tools that may be used in various keys. This is an excellent repertoire- building workshop, and will encourage skills that can also be applied to original music, improvisation and arranging.

GE Smith Acoustic Leads

Why acoustic lead? Lots of reasons. First you don't have to haul that pesky amp around. Then there's the interesting parts. When you do something on acoustic guitar it is all on you, hands and heart. Direct and immediate. Instant gratification when you do something worthwhile. We will approach both left and right hand techniques, get happy about our relationship with the fretboard; the whole fretboard, work on maximum tone generation and economy of motion- [hey, what's that?]. Also hopefully have a few laughs and a decent meal or two. See you there - GE

GE Smith

GE is one of the most in-demand blues/rock guitarists in the world. Millions of TV viewers know him from his ten years of fronting the Saturday Night Live band. GE has played with greats like Hall & Oats, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Tina Turner and Peter Wolfe. In 1985 Smith was named the musical director for Saturday Night Live. Leading the SNL band for 10 years, it was arguably the best late-night band on television at the time and GE won an Emmy for his role. Smith has played with the broadest possible spectrum of artists, from Red Buttons to Allen Ginsberg. www.greenmirror.com

Schedule for Miracle Springs Getaway:

Monday
5:00 P.M.	Arrival
6:45pm	Orientation
7:45 PM – 9PM	Dinner
TUESDAY
8:00 – 9:30 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
5:45 P.M. – 6:45 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 PM – 9:00PM	Workshop
WEDNESDAY
8:00 – 9:30 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
5:45 P.M. – 6:45 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.	Performance BY INSTRUCTOR(S) FOR STUDENTS
THURSDAY
8:00 – 9:30 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 5: 00P.M.	STUDENT Performance Workshop	(start time subject to change)
6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.	OPTIONAL Evening Workshop	(INSTRUCTOR CHOICE)
9:00P.M. – WHENEVER	STUDENT CAMP JAM
FRIDAY
8:00 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.	Breakfast
10:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.	RECAP Workshop
12 NOON	Departure

6/30/09 – 7/3/09
Full Moon Resort
(Big Indian, New York)

Click Here to Sign Up for the Full Moon Resort Getaway Weekend

Full Moon Resort is located in the mountains of the Hudson Valley, one half hour west of Woodstock, New York, "the most famous small town in the world", and only fifteen minutes from Belleayre Mountain.

The natural beauty of the valley is quietly breathtaking. Mountains rise up all around, with eighty thousand acres of wilderness beyond. Wildlife abounds. The crystal clear waters of the Esopus Creek gently carve through ancient, moss-covered rocks. The air itself is so sweet and pure, you can practically taste it. Immersed in nature, Full Moon is a showplace for the seasons. In the spring, apple blossoms and songbirds herald rebirth and awakening. On long, warm summer days relax and cool off at the spring-fed pool. Fly fishermen from around the country are drawn here to three of the Northeast's most fabled trout streams - the Beaverkill, East Branch of the Delaware and the Esopus Creek….which literally runs along the property's edge, winding through the mountains to the Ashokan Reservoir.

The Full Moon Chef applies classic techniques with a New American flair, to make each meal at the resort a celebration of fresh cuisine.

The breakfast buffet consists of fresh baked goods, natural eggs, pancakes or French toast served with locally produced maple syrup, and bacon. Natural whole grain cereals, along with low-fat yogurts, milk, juices, organic soy milk and fresh fruits compliment the buffet. Locally-roasted Catskill Mountain Organic Coffees, hot chocolate and an assortment of black and herbal teas top off this magical morning meal.

Jorma Kaukonen Proficient: Repertoire and Skillbuilding

For players with a well honed thumb, and fingerstyle experience, Jorma will employ his effective teaching technique of presenting his songs by breaking them down into comprehensible parts. He will demonstrate the variety of licks, runs and embellishments that provide style and nuance, and also represent a vocabulary of tools that may be used in various keys. This is an excellent repertoire- building workshop, and will encourage skills that can also be applied to original music, improvisation and arranging.

GE Smith Acoustic Leads

Why acoustic lead? Lots of reasons. First you don't have to haul that pesky amp around. Then there's the interesting parts. When you do something on acoustic guitar it is all on you, hands and heart. Direct and immediate. Instant gratification when you do something worthwhile. We will approach both left and right hand techniques, get happy about our relationship with the fretboard; the whole fretboard, work on maximum tone generation and economy of motion- [hey, what's that?]. Also hopefully have a few laughs and a decent meal or two. See you there - GE

Schedule for Full Moon Getaway: June 30 - July 3, 2009

TUESDAY
12:00 P.M	Arrival
1:00 – 3:00pm	Lunch and Orientation
4:30 – 6:30	Workshop
7:00 – 8:00 pm	Dinner
8:30 – 10:30 pm	Workshop
10:30 -	Campfire by Stream
WEDNESDAY
8:00 – 9:00 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.	Workshop
10:30 -	Campfire by Stream
THURSDAY
8:00 – 9:00 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 6: 00P.M.	Workshop
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.	Workshop/Performance
FRIDAY
8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.	Breakfast
9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.	Workshop
11 A.M.	Departure

7/6/09 – 7/10/09
Full Moon Resort
(Big Indian, New York)

Click Here to Sign Up for the Full Moon Resort Getaway Weekend

Jorma Kaukonen Proficient: Repertoire and Skillbuilding

For players with a well honed thumb, and fingerstyle experience, Jorma will employ his effective teaching technique of presenting his songs by breaking them down into comprehensible parts. He will demonstrate the variety of licks, runs and embellishments that provide style and nuance, and also represent a vocabulary of tools that may be used in various keys. This is an excellent repertoire- building workshop, and will encourage skills that can also be applied to original music, improvisation and arranging.

Beppe Gambetta Flatpicking Guitar

The workshop will focus on flatpicking technique from the old traditional schools to new modern approaches. Using individual and group exercises we will explore Beppe's repertoire using different "crosspicking" and "tremolo" forms. Included will be technique, rhythm, improvisation and arrangement, Licks and strumming patterns.

Beppe Gambetta

Born in Genoa, Italy, Beppe began his musical training in a classical plectrum orchestra before drawing on traditional European and American guitar techniques to develop his own original style. In 1977, he formed the acclaimed Italian bluegrass band Red Wine. As a dynamic solo performer he has toured Europe, America, Canada and Australia while rediscovering, teaching and promoting flatpicking. Beppe has collaborated with masters of the acoustic scene (Gene Parsons, Tony Trischka and many others) on ambitious projects such as reviving and contemporizing the energy of the "brother" duets with guitar master Dan Crary. Along with Carlo Aonzo, mandolin player from La Scala Orchestra in Milan, Beppe has conducted extensive interviews as part of his comprehensive study and revival of the musical forms present in Italy at the start of the twentieth century. The result of this research was the production of two acclaimed albums, Serenata and Traversata (recorded with American mandolin legend David Grisman.) An accomplished author and teacher, Beppe wrote the first Italian manual on flatpicking and recorded many instructional videos. www.beppegambetta.com

Barry Mitteroff Mandolin: Bluegrass and Beyond

An opportunity to learn from a masterful player and teacher, this workshop will provides technical and academic instruction in a variety of styles associated with the mandolin, especially the legacy of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, and its impact on Swing, Jazz and Blues. We will focus on creative approaches including improvising solos. The course will be tailored to student experience and thus accommodate a range of experience. The format will consist of class lectures and hands-on exercises and may be complemented with individualized instruction.

Barry Mitteroff

Barry Mitterhoff is a mandolinist who cannot be pigeonholed into one style. He performs a dazzling array of styles that include bluegrass, classical, swing and jazz, and a variety of ethnic styles such as Brazilian, Neapolitan songs, Klezmer and more. He has recorded on the BMG, Sony, Flying Fish, Rounder and other record labels with artists as diverse as Metropolitan Opera tenor Jerry Hadley, Julius LaRosa, Tom Chapin, Hazel Dickens, Tony Trischka and under his own name. He has performed at the White House, the Library of Congress, the Rainbow Room, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall. He can be heard on the soundtracks of You've Got Mail, Mickey Blue Eyes, Two Family House as well as recording music for the Coen Brothers film, O Brother Where Art Thou. Mr. Mitterhoff has toured throughout Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, Czech Republic, Japan, the United States and Canada. Along with his performing and recording activities, he also is active as a mandolin teacher, including at the Fur Peace Ranch. He is a acclaimed now as sideman to Jorma Kaukonen in Electric and Acoustic Hot Tuna. www.mandozine.com

Schedule for Full Moon Getaway: July 6 - 10, 2009

MONDAY
3:00 P.M	Arrival
6:00- 8:00 P.M	Dinner and Orientation
9:00 P.M	Campfire by Stream
TUESDAY
8:00-10:00 A.M	Breakfast
10:30-12:30 P.M	Workshop
1:00 – 3:00 P.M.	Lunch and Orientation
4:30 – 6:30 P.M.	Workshop
7:00 – 8:00 P.M.	Dinner
8:30 – 10:30 pm	Workshop
10:30 -	Campfire by Stream
WEDNESDAY
8:00 – 9:00 am	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30pm	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.	Workshop
10:30 -	Campfire by Stream
THURSDAY
8:00 – 10:00 A.M.	Breakfast
10:30 – 12:00 P.M.	Workshop	(Instructor will schedule breaks)
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.	Lunch
3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.	Workshop
6:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.	Dinner
8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.	Workshop/Performance
FRIDAY
8:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.	Breakfast
9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.	Workshop
11 A.M.	Departure

The Fur Peace Ranch Getaway Weekends are very special events!

Won't you join us!