We all know that we need to practice, but few of us actually learn how to practice effectively. This workshop covers the difference between practice and playing, and how to create an effective practice regimen. This workshop is appropriate for all levels and instruments.

Master mandolinists know that a few essential fundamental techniques lie at the core of tone, timing, speed — even the ability to improve. Accommodating all skill levels and style preferences, this mandolin workshop does more than offer a take-home list of ideal techniques. Engaging participants through hands-on learning, Matt helps you teach your own fingers the nuances of essential techniques to ensure they will never forget. Expect to double your tone and find new harmonies to delight your ears.

Eat Tacos, Play Music, Socialize with Stickerville Friends. Please join us for this favorite event, that is back to Tuesday.

Our Bathroom Fundraiser Silent Auction will conclude at 7:30pm during Taco Tuesday. Make sure to get your bids in by then

Calling all Choro players - join us for this fun session, or Roda, where we can all connect, network and share this wonderful genre of music. If you have not previously played Choro music but want to join the Roda, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the genre ahead of time and look through some of the music, if you are a music reader (available online in advance). If you want to just come listen, there are plenty of seats in the Auditorium for listeners.

Choro Music is an instrumental Brazillian music form. It is characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtle modulations and is full of syncopation and counterpoint.

Typically, Choro has three parts, played in Rondo form, often structured as AABBACCA, with each section typically in a different key.

Experienced Choro players will be at this session to lead the songs and answer questions from musicians who are newer to the genre.

Every jam is a musical conversation, and with some basic vocabulary, anyone can jump right in. This class has practical tips for starting and participating in jam sessions successfully, including finding a session right for you, choosing appropriate tunes, and kicking them off effectively. Basic jam etiquette helps you gently lead and follow your fellow players, for maximum musical satisfaction. Players and singers at all levels and styles are welcome.

Bass, everyone needs you, they just might not know it yet. Let’s talk about what we are supposed to do as bassists, where and how to put our hands, and make fun of guitarists. We will go over some bassics, some soloing, and some philosophy.

We can talk about the Nashville numbering system and some fingerboard mapping.

We will spend some time rotating bassists in a “jam” format. Get your chance to play bass for a song you don’t know, with minimal guidance, and oh yeah don’t mess up! This will be an exercise to show you how good you already are.

All levels are welcome. Maybe we will do a bass parade.

The workshop will begin with Jeff and Nancy playing the classic tune Minor Swing and giving a brief overview of the Gypsy Jazz style. Then the guitarists/bassists and fiddlers will separate into two groups and independently work on Minor Swing and another standard tune if time allows. We’ll all rejoin for the final 30 minutes of class, which will include a question/answer session and big jam session on Minor Swing, with each player encouraged to be brave and take a solo!

Workshop will begin and end in the Auditorium. Fiddles will be in the Tea Room for the middle part of the workshop.

This class will explore the signature elements of various “old-fashioned” musical genres, from Celtic trad to Cajun to blues to early jazz and country…and beyond. We will learn typical lyrical themes, chord progressions, scale modes and anything else at the heart of what makes an old song timeless, and how to emulate its magic.

Ever ask yourself, “What is going on with diminished chords?” well you are not alone. Let’s fill in the gap! We will learn to play a few common progressions with diminished chords and understand what the diminished chord is doing in each progression.Time permitting, we may have some chord melodies too. For rhythm and lead players.

In this workshop we will learn how to get the most out of tunes you know and how to make that fiddle make ‘em dance. The focus will be on practice techniques, tips, tricks to create a near baroque amount of rhythmic and melodic variations while keeping the dancers dancing.

Come and learn Sue and Don’s proven method for finding harmony parts naturally and intuitively by ear. You’ll get essential skills for singing harmony above and below the melody, plus at-home practice techniques to share with your bandmates and singing pals. This is not just a demonstration, be prepared to sing!

Learning to improvise through easy progressive steps, as applied to easy songs and gradually building to the most advanced songs ever written in the American Songbook Literature. The lecture will be supported by examples using the iReal Pro App, and the instructor playing examples. Also, the Dominant 7th progressions (i.e. Circle of 5ths/4ths) will be examined in a linear fashion, rather than circular, making what is to be explained much simpler.

Unlock the mysteries of swing guitar in this introductory workshop. Learn how to venture up the neck (without using barre chords.) Play a selection of easy jazz and western swing songs while practicing the all-important swing strum. There will be handouts with lyrics and chords, so beg or borrow a music stand for the best experience.

The three basic chord shapes for the banjo will be demonstrated along with how to apply the chords to familiar songs. Fingerpicks are encouraged, but not a necessity. The basic chord shapes will help with learning to play along with songs that inspire a person to play. Most songs are made up of three chords. Some understanding of chord structures for songs will be helpful, but not required to have fun in the workshop.

Join us for the Annual Weiser Friends of the Fiddle Swing Dance in memory of our friend Nancy Thorwardson. Featuring music by the Country Club.

The basic concept of chord melody guitar playing is simple: voice a melody line with a couple of chord tones below it. We’ll look at a smallish number of uncomplicated shapes that provide all you need for taking first steps into this style, and then apply them to a few standards. This technique works for many different sorts of tunes, and builds fingerboard knowledge.

Going from Bluegrass/Oldtime to Jazz is more fun & easier than you think! Explore a little theory and some mando secrets to start or improve your solos and demystify some jazz chord formulas.

Rags, Drags, and Stomps will be a chance for you to learn some of these fun tunes from early last century. I will teach tunes such as Combination Rag (key of C), Sand Mountain Drag (also in C), and Monroe Stomp (in F). (We’ll go at a learning pace.) I also have rags in D, G, and A (time permitting). These are tunes I hear played at all of the Northwest fiddle gatherings that I’ve recently attended: Stickerville, Fiddle Tunes, Wallowa Fiddle Camp, Centralia. Join us; fun new tunes for your quiver!

The Dirty song contest is back after many years! Sign up for a slot in the office.

Hosted by Northern Lights Christian Ministries Band. We are inviting musicians to join us. Please email WeiserWeek@gmail.com to sign up to play 2-3 songs of praise, or sign up in person on the evening of the event. Advance signups are appreciated.

Tacos! Jamming! Socializing!

Learning to improvise through easy progressive steps, as applied to easy songs and gradually building to the most advanced songs ever written in the American Songbook Literature. The lecture will be supported by examples using the iReal Pro App, and the instructor playing examples. Also, the Dominant 7th progressions (i.e. Circle of 5ths/4ths) will be examined in a linear fashion, rather than circular, making what is to be explained much simpler.

Montana State Twin Fiddle Champions since 2017

Swing! Tunes! Riffs! Licks!

This Fiddle workshop aspires to get you and keep you in the swing of things and will draw material from Claude Williams, Johnny Gimble, and Stuff Smith, three of the greatest and swingingest fiddlers of all time. Using a live performance of a tune from each artist we will pull out, practice, and play riffs and licks. Examples will be given in standard notation, but learning by ear will be the focus.

Master mandolinists know that a few essential fundamental techniques lie at the core of tone, timing, speed — even the ability to improve. Accommodating all skill levels and style preferences, this mandolin workshop does more than offer a take-home list of ideal techniques. Engaging participants through hands-on learning, Matt helps you teach your own fingers the nuances of essential techniques to ensure they will never forget. Expect to double your tone and find new harmonies to delight your ears.

Weiser Friends of the Fiddle Annual Membership Meeting

If you want to make your bass playing more enjoyable and effective, bring your challenges and questions to this workshop!

We’ll present some ideas to help you learn to play more supportively, effortlessly, accurately, intentionally, spontaneously, and dynamically, in a variety of styles.

A few possible themes:

• Efficient Technique

• Beyond Roots and Fifths

• Swing Feel

• Walking Bass

• Courageous Improvisation

• Active Listening in Ensembles

• Practical Theory for Bass

Calling all Choro players - join us for this fun session, or Roda, where we can all connect, network and share this wonderful genre of music. If you have not previously played Choro music but want to join the Roda, please make sure to familiarize yourself with the genre ahead of time and look through some of the music, if you are a music reader (available online in advance). If you want to just come listen, there are plenty of seats in the Auditorium for listeners.

Choro Music is an instrumental Brazilian music form. It is characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtle modulations and is full of syncopation and counterpoint.

Typically, Choro has three parts, played in Rondo form, often structured as AABBACCA, with each section typically in a different key.