*MEMBERs-ONLY HOME PAGE*

Welcome to the MBSC 2020 ONLINE TRACK, July 6-11

Thanks for a great week of camp!

Recordings of past classes are viewable via the class hyperlinks in the Daily Schedule below.

The CLASS RESOURCE page has downloadable recordings/notation that the Faculty wants to share with their classes.

Camp Daily Schedule

Click on the Day below to view the classes/events, which are all clickable hyperlinks to join the Zoom Meeting and participate at the appropriate time. NOTE: All displayed times are ET (East Coast U.S., where Vero Beach, FL is located)

+ Monday, July 6

1:00-2:00p

Community Meeting - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDING
Orientation, & Learn All-Camp Tune

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 1 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING
A: Taylor Morris & Melissa Brun - How to Learn at Camp (All Levels): Are you new to camp? Do you feel like learning “by ear” is overwhelming? Are you wondering how to get more out of your camp experience? Good news: learning is a skill you can improve! Come learn about ways to improve your learning.
B: Natalie Haas - Swedish Tunes (Int/Adv): Come and learn some rocking polskas, bridal marches, schottisches and waltzes! In addition to learning the tunes, we will explore second voices as well as different rhythmic and chordal ideas for accompaniment.
C: Trina Basu - Beginner Improvisation (All Levels): Improvisation can spark your imagination in ways you never thought possible. Learning the art of improvisation takes many years but there are some great first steps to get you started in exploring ideas, sounds and feelings on your instrument. We will think about the ideas of freedom, structure, deep listening and applications of these concepts to help expand your creative voice.
D: Natalie MacMaster - Getting Jiggy! (Int/Adv): Learn a couple of dandy trad square dance jigs from Cape Breton.
E: Darol Anger - Making New Tunes From Old Ones (Int/Adv): One of the best ways to write a new tune is to take an old one that you like, think about what makes it special, then use elements of that tune to make a new tune. We start with rules of Good Listening (listen, echo and rephrase) to get started, then vary elements such as the key, changing note length, melodic direction, extension, repetition, expansion, condensation, and so forth. If there’s time, we’ll look at 2 tunes I wrote from older ones: The Crooked Road To Buffalo (Buffalo Gals) and Ride The Wild Turkey (Cuckoo’s Nest).
F: Tessa Lark - Classic Classical Giveaways (Int/Adv) How to avoid common pitfalls of a Classical musician venturing into other styles, and understanding stylistic nuance for improvised American music.

4:00-5:00p

TUNE Class 1 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Taylor Morris
Intermediate: Hanneke Cassel
Advanced: Joe K. Walsh

8:00-9:00p

Nightly Play-Along Jams - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING / Social Hour
Pool Deck: General Style jam with Colin Cotter and Cullen Luper
Mulligans: Scottish jam with Natalie/Hanneke
9p Beach Hang after the Jams: Beach Hang

+ Tuesday, July 7

1:00-2:00p

TUNE Class 2 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Lauren Rioux
Intermediate: Rushad Eggleston
Advanced: Natalie MacMaster

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 2 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING
A: Rushad Eggleston - Fearless Improvisation Techniques (All Levels): Or, how to become a Sneth Goblin.
B: Joe K. Walsh - Voice-led arpeggios (Int/Adv): One of my very favorite musical exercises, voice led arpeggio practice is a great way to deepen our knowledge of where to find the chord tones on any chord progression, and to find and internalize ways of connecting one chord to the next. Applicable for any creative decision making, such as soloing, creating bass lines, fills behind a vocalist, etc...
C: Hanneke Cassel - Learn a Scottish March (Beg/Int): We’ll learn a great tune “The Duke of Fife’s Welcome to Deeside” in the key of A. We’ll move slowly, but you should know how to play an A scale and arpeggio.
D: Casey Driessen - Chopping Through Odd Times (Adv): No, this is not about the strange days in which we live... Have you ever struggled with music that's not in 4/4? Do you have friends that like to play in "strange" time signatures? Put aside your fears of the "odd" and in this workshop we will explore some basic chopping patterns for uneven grooves.
E: Colin Cotter - Singing While Fiddling (All Levels): Many find it challenging to make civil conversation with extended family while also eating Thanksgiving Dinner; many more find it challenging to sing while also playing the fiddle. We will go over some ideas for practicing one or both of the above challenges of multi-tasking and spend a bit of time working on improving our dual-wielding powers.
F: Emri Stenn - Irish Trad Tunes (Int/Adv): In this class, we’ll be having a chat about Irish Traditional Music and learn some tunes from different Irish regional styles. We’ll also be exploring different ornamentations commonly used in Irish Trad.

4:00-5:00p

Review Tune Class 1- CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING
Beginner: Taylor Morris
Intermediate: Hanneke Cassel
Advanced: Joe K. Walsh

8:00-9:00p

Nightly Play-Along Jams - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING / Social Hour
Pool Deck: General Style jam with Colin Cotter and Cullen Luper
Mulligans: Bluegrass jam with Lauren A/Trevor
9p Beach Hang after the Jams: Beach Hang

+ Wednesday, July 8

1:00-2:00p

TUNE Class 3 - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Trina Basu
Intermediate: Darol Anger
Advanced: Casey Driessen

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 3 - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDINGS
A: Darol Anger - Only 4 "Keys:" Playing from Frames (Int/Adv): Moving around the violin neck can really open up your playing if you realize that there are only four frameworks for any scale. This is something that most lead guitarists do all the time, but it’s just as possible on the fiddle, maybe easier in some ways. The four “keys” start with each successive finger on the left hand, but use the same notes- the relationships don’t change, only the fingers.
B: Zach Brock - Workers Comp (Int/Adv): “Comping” chords (slang for accompanying) can seem overwhelming at first. In this class we'll cut through the hullabaloo to make them more readable/hear-able. We'll also cover basic comping rhythms and learn how to create bass patterns and lines.
C: Hanneke Cassel - Learn an Original Reel (Adv): We’ll learn one of my tunes — with bowings, grace notes, and chords.
D: Colin Cotter - Beginning Tune (Beg): We will learn the melody to an easy, fun tune. We will then go over some chord options to play along with said tune. We will possibly then learn a second fun tune if your lizard brains are firing on all cylinders, your cerebra soaking up the notes like a ShamWow.
E: Rushad Eggleston - How to Suck Effectively (All Levels)
F: Lauren Rioux - Learn tunes by John Hartford (Int/Adv): I love John Hartford tunes and always want to learn more. I bet you’ll feel the same either right now or after you take this class.

4:00-5:00p

Community Meeting - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDING
Camp Picture, & Prepare All-Camp Tune Parts for Video

8:00-10:00p

Live Faculty Performance - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDING
Broadcast publicly for Scholarship Fundraiser

+ Thursday, July 9

12p-12:30p

Hanneke leads "Beyonce Workout"
Wear exercise clothes and get ready to dance/sweat for a solid 30 minutes!

1:00-2:00p

TUNE Class 4 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Melissa Brun
Intermediate: Natalie Haas
Advanced: Arun Ramamurthy

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 4 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
A: Arun Ramamurthy - A Guided Listening of Indian Classical Music (All Levels): Are you a newcomer to Indian Classical music? In this class, we’ll listen to recordings of legends in Carnatic and Hindustani styles, answering your who/what/why/how questions. We’ll decipher compositional and improvisational structures, approaches to Raga and Tala, and how artists interact in this improvisational genre. Walk away with a better understanding of the music, and the ability to listen more actively.
B: Mike Block - Eurhythmics (All Levels): We will learn to use our full bodies to internalize rhythms and poly-rhythms, improving our coordination and sense of pulse by walking weirdly around the room in circles. Its almost like dancing, but less fun! :) Unless you hate dancing, in which case, this will be MORE fun!
C: Casey Driessen - Notating the Chop (Int/Adv): Interested in how to read and write the percussive bowed string technique known as chopping? In this workshop, we will cover the fundamental chopping bow strokes, how they are notated, and how to combine them into written grooves.
D: Lauren Rioux - Wicked Good Fills (Int/Adv): Learn how to fill space when the vocalist isn't singing. We'll use the Flatt & Scruggs' song "Don't this Road Look and Rocky" to work on the conversational, emotional, rhythmic and theoretical components of supporting the vocalist. Download a helpful worksheet ahead of time via this link: https://jamwithlauren.ck.page/752d10c4a3
E: Michael Thurber - Walking Bass lines (Int/Adv): I will go through a step by step explanation of what a 'walking bass line' is and how to approach making one. We will discuss weaving a line through chord changes and the power and simplicity of I and V chords.
F: Emri Stenn - Irish Trad Tunes (Int/Adv): In this class, we’ll be having a chat about Irish Traditional Music and learn some tunes from different Irish regional styles. We’ll also be exploring different ornamentations commonly used in Irish Trad.

4:00-5:00p

Review Tune Class 2 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Lauren Rioux
Intermediate: Rushad Eggleston
Advanced: Natalie MacMaster

8:00-9:00p

Nightly Play-Along Jams / Social Hour - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Pool Deck: General Style jam with Colin Cotter and Cullen Luper
Mulligans: Old-Time jam with Lauren Rioux
9p Beach Hang after the Jams: Beach Hang

+ Friday, July 10

1:00-2:00p

TUNE Class 5 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Michael Thurber
Intermediate: Zach Brock
Advanced: Mike Block

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 5 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
A: Natalie Haas - Celtic Cello accompaniment techniques (Int/Adv): We will take an easy tune and explore all the ways to provide back up for it including harmonies, riffs, basic chordal substitutions, shuffling, chopping, and creating a cohesive arrangement with many repetitions of the same melody.
B: Taylor Morris - Introduction to Improvisation (Beg): Come hang out with Taylor to learn some simple exercises you can try on your own (or with friends when it's safe to hang out!) to build your confidence with making things up!
C: Melissa Brun - Strings 101 (Int/Adv): What kind of strings do you use? Why do you use them? Join me for a fun and informative discussion (sponsored by D’Addario orchestral) on why strings sound different from one another, why strings make a difference, how to care for them, and how to make thoughtful string choices.
D: Joe K. Walsh - Improvising on fiddle tunes (Int/Adv): How does one strike the balance of improvising on a tune while still maintaining a recognizable relationship to the melody? That balance is hugely important in many styles. In this session we will examine and play with various elements that can be used to develop variations and improvisation, using approaches that work on fiddle tunes as well as more wide-open improvisatory styles.
E: Arun Ramamurthy - Carnatic Singing & Solfege (All Levels): Indian Classical Music as an oral tradition, begins with the voice. Like “Do Re Mi...," ICM has a similar solfege system “Sa Ri Ga...” We will learn how to sing using this solfege language, through call and response and creating our own melodic phrases. We’ll also discuss Tala and how to keep time with our hands.
F: Sheila Graziano - The Basics Of Appalachian Clogging (All Levels): This workshop will cover basic clogging steps, and get your feet moving to the music! A uniquely American dance form, this percussive dance style come from the natural blending of Irish, Scottish, African, Welsh, Dutch-German, and Native American rhythms that occurred in the 1800s, as immigrants shared their dances in the mining regions of Appalachia. Don't know the tune that's being played in the session? Great time to get up and knock out some steps!

4:00-5:00p

Review Tune Class 3 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Trina Basu
Intermediate: Darol Anger
Advanced: Casey Driessen

8:00-10:00p

Open Mic Night: Live Student Performances - CLICK LINK TO VIEW RECORDING
(Not public: just playing for eachother in the camp community)

+ Saturday, July 11

1:00-2:00p

Review Class 4 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Melissa Brun
Intermediate: Natalie Haas
Advanced: Arun Ramamurthy

2:30-3:30p

Elective Class 6 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
A: Trina Basu - Sunrise-Raga Brindavana Saranga (Int/Adv): Learn an original tune by Trina based in pentatonic (5 note) Carnatic raga, Brindavana Saranga. We will learn the Raga and a few melodic patterns based in South Indian classical rhythmic concepts.
B: Zach Brock - Beyond Voice-Leading (Int/Adv): One of the most important aspects of improvising coherent melodies is to be able to reflect and embellish the underlying harmony of the song. This class will introduce an expandable exercise that utilizes your voice and your instrument to train three of your essential musical reflexes: voice-leading, ear training, and harmonic awareness.
C: Mike Block - Composing your own original tunes (All Levels): We will explore how to use “seeds” to compose your own music. The “seed” may be technical, musical, emotional, stylistic, or maybe we steal something from an existing tune and find a way to make it our own. We will compose a few tunes together during the class to get a feel for the process of using different types of seeds, so that you can go home and compose confidently on your own! :)
D: Natalie MacMaster - Bowing techniques (Int/Adv): Discover your super power!
E: Michael Thurber - Influence Discovery (All Levels): How to unearth your artistic influences and to understand how they've impacted you and your interest in music. Explore several exercises that help you chart a clear path forward for what to focus on and develop in your playing.

4:00-5:00p

Review Tune Class 5 - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDINGS
Beginner: Michael Thurber
Intermediate: Zach Brock
Advanced: Mike Block

8:00-8:30p

8p Community Meeting - CLICK LINKS TO VIEW RECORDING
Watch All-Camp Video, then final Play-Along Jam: General Style with Colin Cotter and Cullen Luper / Social Hour

9p Beach Hang after the Jam: Beach Hang

Camp Directory:

Everyone registered for camp is automatically given a slot in our 2020 ONLINE DIRECTORY. Your profile needs to be customized though, so edit your information and add a profile pic so other people can find you and connect outside of class.

Camp Forum:

If you want to share pictures, questions, or comments with the camp community at-large, please use our MBSC Facebook Group (different than the public “page”) as a forum.

Please leave your video on when attending class - its VERY helpful for the Faculty to see you playing in order to pace their teaching, and also see your visual responses to questions.

Open-Mic Night:

This is your chance to share a piece of music, or other performance, with the whole camp community, on Friday, July 10th from 8-10p ET! Individuals will get the spotlight during an all-camp Zoom meeting. 4 minutes maximum length, please. We're looking forward to hearing and seeing you play! :)

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Below is also a graphical Camp Schedule that shows which teachers will be teaching which Classes over the week. For TUNE Classes and the accompanying Review Classes, there are three levels offered: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.  The best approach is to choose a level-based track and stick with that track throughout camp. You are welcome to self-assign to the level of class you feel comfortable in (level descriptions below). If there is a particular teacher you REALLY want to learn from in a different level class, you are welcome to try that class. Check out everyone on our Faculty page, if you haven’t done so already. :) The teachers will be adjusting their material/pacing to reflect the intended level of the class, so just keep that in mind if you jump around.

Displayed next are the Elective Class schedules for each day’s session. The Title and Teacher of each class are in bold, and the intended level is underlined next to that: Beg = Beginner, Int = Intermediate, and Adv=Advanced. If it says All Levels, then anyone can attend and benefit! Most Elective Classes have a description to help you decide if you want to attend. Many Elective classes span multiple levels, so feel free to follow your interests and attend whatever topic intrigues you the most!  There is also no sign-up necessary in advance for Elective classes.  TUNE Classes are focused on sharing repertoire in large groups. so there won't be much individual attention, but the plan is for Elective Classes to be significantly smaller, featuring topics that provide more opportunities for interaction with individual students through the class. Each teacher is offering two different Elective Classes during camp.

All classes & jam sessions are 1 hour long, to prevent “Zoom Fatigue” over the week, and teachers will try to honor the start/end times stated in the schedule. So that means YOU should show up to classes 5 minutes early and be tuned and ready to play at the indicated start time, just like you usually would in-person, right …? ;) If you have activities in your life that can’t adjust to our camp schedule, its OK for you to miss some sessions in this online environment, and we plan on recording the classes for re-viewing after camp.

TUNE Class Level Descriptions:

Beginner: If you’ve played your instrument 1-3 years, this is the place for you! Young kids and Amateur Adults new to music will benefit most at this level.

Intermediate: Catering to High School and Middle School students, as well as Amateur Adults with years of experience.

Advanced: Intended for adult professionals and college students majoring in music. If you are under 18, you would have to think pretty highly of yourself to join this class :)

“Fey-O” All-Camp Video:

“Fey-O” is a traditional song from Haiti that we will all learn, then make a collaborative video of during the week. The Backing Track you will record along with can be accessed on our ALL-CAMP TUNE RESOURCE PAGE, as well as notation and a reference recording to assist your learning of this melody, and all other parts. At the first Community Meeting we will begin learning the melody by ear (with a follow-up session on Wednesday to learn other parts). The goal is that by Friday night all of us will individually video record ourselves playing a part to submit for an epic collaborative video to commemorate our time together. This video will be dedicated in loving memory to Emy Phelps, who passed away last month. Emy taught Fey-O to the vocal class at MBSC Florida in 2011, in addition to teaching at MBSC Michigan for many years.

Zoom Logistics:

All teaching will be done via Zoom, so you will need to download the free “Basic” version of the application ahead of time. It can be used on all desktop/laptop/tablet/phone devices. Signup is free and easy, but takes a few minutes, so please do so before the first day of camp!

NOTE: Zoom is a communication platform MBSC does not own or control. By paying your tuition, you agree that any connection problems you experience caused by using Zoom’s technology are not the responsibility of MBSC.  If necessary, you can bring up issues directly with Zoom itself.

Contact:

If you have questions ahead of camp, please email MikeBlockStringCamp@gmail.com.