Blues Workshops
Following previous year’s resounding successes, we again have blues workshops and tutorials taking place at the Festival. Places are limited on these free workshops, which will be held in The Town Hall – so booking in advance is advised.
HARMONICA WORKSHOP
MARK COLE – TIPS AND TRICKS & FURTHER STEPS
A multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter in the Blues and Americana genres, Mark Cole from Sons of the Delta will share some useful harmonica riffs, rhythms and ideas to get you equipped for jamming.
There will be time for a Q&A session too if you are after specific bits of advice.
Please bring a C harmonica so we are all in the same key and to avoid the room sounding like a cat massacre! Beginner harmonicas may be available to buy, subject to availability.
Those who attended last year can expect some additional advice to keep you moving forward, but newbies are welcome too.
The Town Hall • Saturday 19 September • 2:00pm start
GUITAR WORKSHOP
STEVE PAGE – RAMBLING ON MY MIND / I BELIEVE I’LL DUST MY BROOM
Steve’s workshops are always popular, and he’ll introduce you to the more traditional ways of playing the blues.
With our guitars tuned to Open D we’ll have a look at these two iconic overlapping tunes forever linked with Robert Johnson and Elmore Leonard. Whether you are an experienced slide player or new to it all, there’ll be something here for you.
Robert Johnson played the song in Open D, without a slide. Elmore James very much with a slide. There’s million ways to mix up the great riffs, shuffles and turn arounds in these two songs. We’ll have a look at some of them, concentrating on:
• slide work around the 12th Fret (and the alternative if you’re not using a slide),
• how to play a blues shuffle in Open D, with some fancy embellishments
• options for the turnaround at either end of the neck.
There will be plenty of time to look at the fundamentals of slide, positioning and pressure, damping, sliding into a note a vibrato. All the things that give acoustic slide guitar its unique tone.
A regular tutor at Wotton Blues Festival, Steve Page is front man for Americana roots and blues band Blind Justice Page. https://www.blindjusticepage.com
The Town Hall • Saturday 19 September • 3:30pm start
HOW TO BOOK YOUR BLUES WORKSHOPS PLACE
Advance booking is advised as there are limited places available.
Please text your name and workshop(s) you are interested in to 07831 176276 or email workshops@wottonbluesfest.org to secure your place.
