Mandolin
Instructor: Michael Hepher
Course Description:
Level: 1 – 2 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
The mandolin is a beautiful, portable, and cheerful little instrument that can add sparkle to any musical setting—but it has a steep learning curve! If you’ve found yourself on the Way of the Mandolorian, but don’t know how to get past the first few chords, this class is for you! We’ll lay a foundation of skills and technique that will set you up for a warp-speed jump into the next star system for your playing. We’ll start by going over the basics like holding the pick properly, then quickly building into finding chords, understanding rhythm and accent patterns, chord alternates, and modular scales you can use to learn new songs and maybe even take a solo someday! We’ll talk about how to play with other instruments tastefully, and back up yourself and others. Our goal is to gain dynamic knowledge you can apply in a variety of musical settings like your practice space, jams, and performances. This course is about giving you the tools you need to get from beginner to intermediate without straying to the dark side. It is The Way.
Proper technique
Expanding chord vocabulary
Introducing tunes and melodies
Growing your Strumming and rhythm
Understanding & using modular scales
Accompanying yourself and others
Laying a foundation for growth
Michael Hepher
Michael grew up surrounded by music, but it wasn’t until high school that he started to take it seriously. From the beginning, jamming and live performing has always been a big part of his passion for music. After years of playing guitar in rock bands in Vancouver, Mike took a hard turn towards acoustic music by marrying into the critically acclaimed Kootenay-based band As The Crow Flies in 2001. Being that there were already two guitar players in that band, Mike picked up the mandolin and quickly found a home with that tiny instrument.
Since then he has continued to perform with several acts such as The Doggone Brothers, RedGirl, and the Craig Young Band all over western Canada at festivals such as Shady Grove, Northern Lights Bluegrass Fest, Tiny Lights (Ymir) and BlizzardFest (Rossland).
The Doggone Brothers are looking at a busy summer of touring and festivals in 2023, so keep your eyes peeled for their acoustic skulduggery at a venue near you.
Website: Redgirl / Doggone Brothers
Playing Experience Levels
These guidelines aim to ensure that all camp participants have an enjoyable experience. They represent what your playing capability should be before you take the class (prerequisites).
Classes are generally designed to pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Level 1 classes aim to proceed at the pace of the slower students in the class. Level 2 and 3 classes aim to move at the pace of the majority of students in the class. Level 4 classes are designed to push the capabilities of all students and will target the pace of the more capable students Class descriptions that show a range (Levels 2-3) means the material presented is broadly applicable across that range.
LEVEL 1: You are new or relatively new to your instrument. You may be able to play basic chords or scales slowly. You want to learn the basics of the instrument. You have very little experience playing with others.
LEVEL 2: You are competent with basic chords and/or basic scales. You can keep rhythm and/or play basic melodies and/or sing and play at the same time if the song is familiar. You generally need the chords or melody to be written out in order to play along. You have some experience playing with others.
LEVEL 3: You are reasonably comfortable with most chords, basic major and minor scales, and can play at an appropriate tempo for songs. You are aware of time signatures, song keys, and know that there are chords called 6th, 7th, 11th, etc even if you can’t play them all. You are comfortable maintaining good rhythm and are willing to taking breaks while jamming with others, even if the breaks don't always turn out the way you planned. You may be hoping to take your playing up to the next level of performing with a group or band (beyond jamming) and you want to further improve your technique and speed.
LEVEL 4: You are skilled on your instrument and have a good understanding of musical concepts including scales, arrangements, harmonies and some improvisation. You play lead and back-up with a steady rhythm and can play skillfully with others. You know there is life further up the neck on your instrument and have some capability in that world. You have performing experience, can hold a tune, and can harmonize.