Lively workshops focusing on instruments and bluegrass techniques (known to break into legendary jam sessions) are a signature feature of FreshGrass.
Béla Fleck: 3-Finger Banjo
Holy cow: we got Béla Fleck! The master will discuss and demonstrate the three-finger banjo style (touching on its evolution), improvision, and new techniques he’s been developing, and will field any questions from the audience.
Altan: Traditional Irish Music
Emerald Isle icons Altan will instruct a master class in traditional Irish music, opening up a new world of styles and techniques to string band players of any level.
Band in a Box with The Mammals
The Mammals, the boisterous Americana band led by Mike + Ruthy (who this year released the outstanding record “Sunshiner”), brings a super fun festival game to the FreshGrass stage. Call it live-band karaoke — sign up to perform for the crowd with a pro backing band, with just one rule: the song has to be a simple, well-known tune (or something so easy that you can teach it to the band in 30 seconds). Sweet Caroline for the fiddle, anyone?
Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger: Old-Time Fiddle
Bruce Molsky and Darol Anger will explore old-time mountain music for fiddlers — the stuff that was played in rural communities for generations before the earliest days of the radio. We don’t have to tell you — these folk roots have informed and transformed everything from Americana and popular music to rhythm and blues, including 20th- and 21st-century classical music. Journey through it with the pros.
Happy and Adam Traum: Blues Arrangements for Two Guitars
Happy and Adam Traum might be the FreshGrass Festival’s favorite father-son duo. Explore the tried and true for duos with these two — how to complement one another using different chord voicings, how to solo with both a flat pick and finger style, and improvisational ideas for call and response. They’ll also look at different types of blues progressions and grooves. We’ll be there.
