Folk School of Chattanooga » Banjo

Summer Schedule!

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:24:27 +0000

We have not one but two new batches of classes to announce! In July we’re featuring four weeks of old-time and blues classes, and in August we’re all about the bluegrass. Registration deadline for July classes is July 5, and for August classes is August 8. Most of these summer classes are aimed at the advanced-beginning level (beginners classes will be offered again in our 8-week Fall semester, starting September 20). We’re adding a few new instructors, Gordy Nichol on bass, Roy Curry teaching guitar, Laura Walker teaching singing, and Ed Huey for harmonica. Speaking of Ed Huey, he’ll be performing this Saturday afternoon, June 26, at the Folk School—and knowing Ed, it should be a really fun show! This and many other summer performances are listed on our Events page: http://chattanoogafolk.com/events

Chirps Smith and Dave Landreth

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:27:29 +0000

The Folk School of Chattanooga welcomed Chirps Smith and Dave Landreth, two wonderful old time musicians from the Midwest. They played last night at Stone Cup Coffee House, just one block away from the folk school. Stone Cup is a relaxing venue, where you can get a cup of coffee or tea, or a beer, and a really good sandwich. With the beautiful weather last night, they opened the garage door walls to the outside, clearing a view to the river and the Walnut Street Bridge. Lots of people came out to hear Chirps and Dave play, and some simply wandered in, lured by the sounds of the banjo and fiddle. There was singing, dancing, wild banjoing and fiddling, and a jam session back at the folk school afterward that stretched into the morning.

Our second concert: Joseph, Robert, Luke, and Kasey

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:19:06 +0000

Joseph Decosimo, Luke Richardson, Robert Heiskell, and Kasey Decosimo were meant to be performing in our second “rooftop” concert, but it ended up being an indoor concert because of the stormy weather. They played such beautiful music, and it was enjoyed by all who came to listen. It was a real treat!!

Our New Home

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:08:55 +0000

This is where all of our lessons and classes take place now! 250 Forest Ave., Chattanooga TN. We love it! Wouldn’t you like to come here once a week for music lessons? Or perhaps for a film next Friday?

Mountain Music Open House, August 8, 2009

admin — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:50:01 +0000

We had a wonderful time at the Mountain Music open house party! Thanks, everyone, for coming out to play with us, and big thanks to Robby Hilliard who posted all these great photos of the day.

A visit from Colleen Heine

Christie Burns — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:03:32 +0000

We had the extraordinary pleasure of hosting Colleen Heine, director of the Folk School of St. Louis, in Chattanooga for a few days in the middle of June. She came to share with us all the details of what makes a successful urban-based folk music school, and we certainly made the most of her visit! We had extensive meetings every morning/afternoon, and then tunes every night. Here’s Fletcher Bright, Bobby Burns, Matt Evans, Joseph Decosimo, Colleen Heine, and Doc Cullis playing a really fun version of “Black-Eyed Susie” on June 16, 2009. Colleen is doing wonderful things with the Folk School of St. Louis, and gave us so many ideas for what we can do with a folk school in Chattanooga. Plus, she’s a great fiddler! Bonus!

I Love This Job!

Matt Evans — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:46:42 +0000

So, it’s the eve of New Year’s Eve. I’m just getting ready to dust off a Dock Boggs record (literally: I listen to that old vinyl stuff, and I clean it off with a solution before spinning it), when the phone rings. It’s a banjo student. With a banjo emergency.

He broke a string during one of those endless attempts to get a banjo into a tuning that fits the song/tune you’re wanting to play. Events unfold: a bridge is broken; a bridge is replaced; a banjo is re-tuned. And according to the player’s handy electronic tuner, he’s got it ready to play. And yet, it just don’t sound right.

The bat signal goes up (via the cell phone), I respond. He plinks his strings on one end of the line; I plink my strings on the other. The diagnosis: B and high D strings are an octave too low. Treatment: Close you eyes, turn your face away and wrench those suckers up to where they belong.

And it works.

Andy, my student, is a real tackler of problems; he’s not one to sit back and wait around for something or someone to fix a problem he’s run into. His banjo broke, and he went about to fixing it. I applaud his spirit, and am thankful for being able to help him tackle it.

Have you ever felt as if you had fewer opportunities to help others as you wish you had? I’ve felt that way. So when I get a call in the night, and can lend someone a hand in some small way, I’m grateful.

Thanks for calling, Andy!

In other news (kind of):

Christie rolls back into Chattanooga today after a long spell on the West Coast. The folk/old-time community has missed her. What was she doing out West? Chasing the warm weather? Playing High-Priced Gigs? Whooping it up?

Nope: she went out to help someone out.

Welcome back!