Intermediate Guitar: Shady Grove: The 1996 Album by Jerry Garcia & David Grisman (Winter)
No class on January 20th
Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s 1996 album Shady Grove is a sparkling, vibrant journey through a thoughtful selection of folk songs from English, Irish, Scottish, and American traditions. Throughout the album, the two career-long friends bring old sounds into the improvisational territory they are known for, offering bright, new renditions of dormant classics.
For fans of the Grateful Dead, Shady Grove is one of the most fully realized examples of Garcia’s folk-rooted acoustic guitar virtuosity and a window into the bedrock of his early repertoire and lyrical sensibilities.
Songs will be covered two per week in the order they appear on the album, as follows:
1: Shady Grove; Stealin’
2. Off to Sea Once More; Sweet Sunny South
3. Louis Collins; Fair Ellender
4. Jackaroo; The Ballad of Casey Jones
5. Dreadful Wind and Rain; I Truly Understand
6. The Handsome Cabin Boy; Whiskey in the Jar
7. Down in the Valley; Hesitation Blues*
8. Review
Notes: Garcia explores a range of flatpicking and fingerpicking styles in this album. The primary focus of the class will be on Garcia’s approach to the backing rhythm. Some of Garcia’s flatpicked melodic fills and solos will be covered through demonstration and written notation but not exhaustively since we are covering the complete album in the eight-week session. Fingerpicking songs will be demonstrated to those with the capability to follow. For those new to fingerpicking, a strummed version will be taught and tips, pointers, and exercises may also be offered for those interested in adding fingerpicking skills to their toolbox.
* Hesitation Blues is a hidden track that plays several seconds after the conclusion of Down in the Valley.
Prerequisite: Students MUST be able to play the basic 1st-position chords: A B7 C D E F G as well as Am Em and Dm.
Materials: A capo is required for this class. A clip-on tuner and a notebook and pen are also recommended.
Please contact the instructor at bhartlage@gmail.com if any questions prior to enrolling.
Classes are now being held at Winchester Thurston in Shadyside.
You will be contacted with more information about the class closer to the start date.
Refunds, Pro-rates and Cancellation Policy: Refunds will only be issued if Calliope cancels a class due to insufficient enrollment. If that happens, you will be notified in advance and will receive a refund or credit within 30 days from the start of class. No refunds will be given to those who cancel their registration within 2 days before a class starts or after class begins. Classes may not be pro-rated; please plan accordingly. Confirmations will be sent approximately a week before a class starts via email (please specify if you prefer to be contacted by phone).