Maple Ridge Bluegrass Band |
Stylistic origins:
English folk, Scottish folk, Irish folk, Appalachian music, old-time music, African-American music, string bands, blues, jazz
Cultural origins:
c. 1945, United States
Typical instruments:
Fiddle (violin), mandolin, 5 string (Scruggs-style) banjo, acoustic guitar, Dobro, double bass
About the Group Class:
Because we get our music mostly from books or downloaded off the internet, students should be able to sight-read music, and know the basics of music theory including counting various meters, playing chords and harmonizing. If you would like to learn more about these subjects, register for private lessons.
The class meets Fridays from 7-9pm in Granby, MA. The group decides what Bluegrass music it wants to learn, votes on the new material, and works on approximately 10-15 new tunes/melodies per semester. A semester is approximately 3 months.
Once the group is comfortable with the "new" set, arrangements are made to put on a free concert at any local venue that allows free use. Venues included are The Holyoke Rehab Center (on Rte 141), The Hobbit House (inside Mill 180 Park in Easthampton), The Loomis Village (South Hadley), The Arbors (Amherst), The Soldier's Home (Holyoke), The South Hadley Library and the Granby Library.
If you would like to join the Bluegrass Group, please contact us. The cost is $20 per class for current private students in good standing.