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There's a Bluegrass Songcraft Class at CBA Camp!

This is a message for folks interested in attending the CBA Music Camp, June 9-12th!  If you're a songwriter interested in The Bluegrass Music, I'm leading a class that will get you thinking and hopefully writing. There's been a good signup response so far, but there are a few more spaces available! 

Are you writing bluegrass songs, or would you like to be? Do you think about what it means to write bluegrass music in 2019, and how you could do it even better than you’re doing it now? In this class we’ll create a safe, thoughtful environment in which to answer these questions and develop your skills as a songwriter.

 We’ll listen to samples of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music, look at its various styles and forms, and explore how those styles and forms can inform your own songwriting. We'll discuss what makes a bluegrass song good or not so good and what song elements you can use to best convey your ideas. And we’ll share strategies for moving from ideas to complete songs. We’ll also reflect on how contemporary bluegrass songwriters can use traditional forms and speak in a way that is authentic, current, and meaningful.

 This class is a fine opportunity to meet other folks at camp who are writing within bluegrass styles and tradition and to engage together in meaningful conversations about what makes for a great bluegrass song!

 Prerequisites: Any songwriting experience you have would be helpful, but a genuine curiosity about songwriting process and tradition is essential. The class is designed to help you think about your bluegrass songwriting in relation to tradition and innovation.

Don’t feel like you’ll have to write a song during camp. But if the class inspires you to, great. Do plan on getting deeply immersed in the craft of bluegrass songwriting and on having a great time!

 Bring: Notebook and pen to jot down notes and ideas as we listen to and discuss songs together; finished songs or ideas you’re working on and your instrument and voice to share them.

Thanks! Hope to see you at camp and the festival!



Author: Richard Brandenburg Posted: 5/7/2019 2:54 PM Replies: 0 Last Reply: 5/7/2019 2:54 PM

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