Beginner Guitar
The guitar plays an important role as the engine of any band and adds beauty to any song you might sing. In this beginner guitar class, we’ll learn how to be rock solid on our timing, back-up songs and tunes, and discuss how to play well at an old-time or bluegrass jam (we might even sing a country song too). We’ll go over basic chords, strums (boom chuck), learn some bass runs, cover a little theory, and crack the code on playing “crooked tunes.” We’ll play a lot, have fun singing songs and you’ll get a chance to back up a live fiddler. Please bring a guitar that is in good working order, a recording device, capo, extra strings and picks. Get ready to pick n’ grin!
Erynn Marshall
Born and raised in BC, Erynn Marshall lives in Hillsville, Virginia, and is known internationally for her traditional music. Erynn learned the nuances of Appalachian old-time fiddling from rare recordings and visiting with 80 to 95 year-old southern fiddlers. She also plays guitar and banjo. Erynn is a vibrant performer at festivals, teaches at music camps, and tours around the globe with husband/songwriter, Carl Jones.
Erynn has placed 1st in fiddle at Clifftop, Mt Airy, and Hoppin’ John fiddlers’ conventions, recorded numerous albums, appeared in 5 films (Voices of Virginia, the Clifftop Experience I’ll Fly Away Home, Conversations with Old-Time Musicians, plus Never Met a Stranger), and is featured in the books Singing at the Clothesline and As Has It. For years, Erynn was Program Director at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, VA, and Alleghany JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) in Sparta, NC. She is currently coordinator for Swannanoa Old-Time Week (NC) and leads her own series of online music classes.
