Dobro
Photo by Mike Melnyk
Dobro, scratch/level 1—Ron Stanley—This class will be designed so that those who want to start enjoying the instrument as well as those who have played a short time can work together towards their goals. The class will cover a bit of history about the Dobro, its variety of uses in bluegrass music and the fundamentals of getting started playing. If you’re already playing, you’ll learn how to improve from where you are. Flexibility will be a key element of this class and the direction of the class will be determined by the playing level of the students enrolled.
Bring: a raised nut style resonator guitar (Dobro) or even a converted guitar with a raised nut will do for getting started. Also you’ll need a shaped steel—Stevens style or similar (NOT an "over the finger" type). And at least two metal finger picks and one plastic thumb pick (bringing extras is always a good idea). Ron may have some of these items (except instruments), but bringing them will be best and also allow more time for learning.
Ron Stanley has been playing Dobro since the early 70’s. He's been a member of the Monanche Mountain Boys, Temerance Union, Roundhouse, Ron & Jerry, and Cedar Grove Bluegrass Band. He's sat in and recorded with many other West Coast bands, and also performs solo, showcasing his vocal, guitar, and Dobro talent. He has recently released two solo albums—one all gospel, the other a variety of songs and styles—which have both received favorable reviews.
Ron has always been happy to teach others. For years, he’s conducted Dobro workshops at festivals including Grass Valley, Plymouth, Columbia Gorge, Mt. Saint Helens, and the Oregon State Bluegrass Festival and Prospect. He also gives private lessons--some of his former students include Todd Clinesmith, Tim Shewmake, Jordan Hays, and Rob Ickes.
Over the last several years, Ron has continued doing workshops at many Northwest festivals and has played with Jim Little as "Ron Stanley and Jim Little" and continues to work with "Black River Bluegrass Band" from Washington state at Northwest festivals. This led to his playing and co-producing their CD "Black River Days". Ron has also released a compilation CD of recordings from the 1960s to today with some previously unreleased tracks entitled "40 Years of Bluegrass and Folk". His other recordings are still available.
This will be Ron’s third year at the CBA Music Camp. Previous students said:
"Excellent! Ron was well prepared and communicated well. I learned a lot from him."
"I very much enjoyed it. He is a great player and a very patient teacher."
"Very informative. And wow! what a great player."
stanley@oregonfast.net
Dobro, level 2—Michael Witcher—In this class, we will be covering effective ways to practice and get good quickly. Exercises for perfecting right and left hand technique such as rolls, scales, right and left hand damping, bar control (intonation), hammer-ons and pull-offs, slants and many others will be covered. We will map out the fret board and find multiple scale patterns for every key and find the shortcuts for gliding over chord changes. We will talk about improvising, finding simple melodies, and embellishing them with changes in phrasing, rolls, and by adding licks. We will learn the Nashville number system and some simple music theory concepts that will make improvising easier. There will be in-class ear training exercises and a discussion on how to approach figuring out your favorite solos. We will also be covering different techniques for playing rhythm and how to apply them in a tasteful way. We will be learning and playing common bluegrass tunes each day to apply the techniques and concepts learned in class. The class will be tailored to the level of the students. Tablature of songs, exercises and licks will be provided. Students should bring an audio recorder and something to take notes with. Be prepared to ask a lot of questions, do a lot of playing and have a whole lot of FUN!
Prerequisites: This class is for people who can already get around on the instrument (or at least play some tunes) who want to expand their technique and musical sensibility. Students should be familiar with basic scale positions and roll patterns, though we will cover these topics in class, also.
Michael Witcher grew up the youngest of five in a musical and artistic family in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He found his voice playing the Dobro at the age of fourteen. In less than a year, he was playing with his father Dennis and brother Gabe in their Bluegrass band, “The Witcher Brothers”. Soon he began teaching resophonic guitar and doing session work. A current member of the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Michael has also recorded and toured with Dwight Yoakam, Fernando Ortega, Laurie Lewis, Tyler Hilton, John Paul Jones, Sara Watkins, The Gibson Brothers, Dolly Parton, Joan Osborn, Willie Watson (Old Crow Medicine Show), and Chris Jones, among others.
Known for his rich tone and lyrical phrasing, Michael is also a highly sought after instructor. He has written two successful instructional books, “Resonator Guitar- Tunes Techniques and Practice Skills”, and “Resonator Guitar-20 Bluegrass Jam Favorites”. Michael can be found teaching at the top acoustic music camps around the world, and has always gotten rave reviews from his students at our camps. We’re glad to have him back in California so he can be with us more often.
www.mikewitcher.com
