Rakun LabClass Topics

Overview

•  Many music “workshops” consist of mini-concerts followed by a Q&A session with the performer. Rakun LabClasses are different. They more closely resemble high-school and college science labs in being focused, intense and highly hands-on.
   

• Our LabClasses are 2 ½ hour clinics, created specifically for adult players. We focus on the use of guitar, mandolin, bass and vocals in performing  acoustic music styles including traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass and country.
   

• About 85% of workshop time consists of students playing their instruments, working through the easy-to- follow tablature and chord/lyric sheets we prepare specifically for each workshop. We demonstrate each technique, and help individual students. We also prepare and supply  colorful posters and flyers your organization will find effective in promoting the Rakun LabClasses.
   

• NOTE: Some of these LabClasses are also offered at Elsah String Band Folk Music Camps around the country. Click HERE for more information of these camps.
   

 Rakun LabClass Categories

(Click Category Heading for Descriptions of That Category)

• Technique-Builder LabClass  (Strengthening specific playing skills)
  
  Please click title above for details on each class in this category

1. Bass runs & Connections ( Level I)  - Guitar
2. Intro to mando soloing  (Level I)
3. Guitar Soloing Up The Neck
4. Hammer-ons & Pull-offs  (Folk, bluegrass and country
5. Improv in a Nutshell - Guitar - (Folk, bluegrass, country)
6. Swing Jazz Rhythm Guitar

• Music Theory LabClasses  (Learning the logic behind fundamentals such as scale and chord construction and how it applies in practice to playing and songwriting.

Please click title above for details on each class in this category

1. Fingerboard Logic - guitar
2. Music Theory in a Nutshell (Guitar, mando, fiddle, bass)
3. Song-writing in a Nutshell
4. Learning to Listen

• Repertoire-Builder LabClasses  (Exploring the music of a specific artist or band to help students build personal song-lists.

Please click title above for details on each class in this category

1. Blues Cruise (1920-present) ( Instructors: Troy Weidenheimer and Barbi Durdle)

2. Grand Old Opry Songfest  ( Instructors: Troy Weidenheimer and Barbi Durdle)

3. Hank Williams Sr. Songfest

4. Merle Haggard Songfest

5. Gillian Welch Songfest ( Instructors: Troy Weidenheimer and Barbi Durdle)

6. Kate Wolf Songfest  ( Instructors: Troy Weidenheimer and Barbi Durdle)

7. Women in Country Music  ( Instructors: Troy Weidenheimer and Barbi Durdle)