Mandolin Workshop

Acoustic music visionary Mike Marshall takes a comprehensive look into his vast world of mandolin styles and techniques, covering bluegrass, jazz, blues, Brazilian, classical music, and more.

Mike's breaks down his mandolin playing into simple digestible parts—from the basics of how to hold the instrument and use the hands to clean up simple tunes, to freeing the improviser to play what they hear in their heads.

Topics include right and left hand technique, interpreting a slow melody with tremolo, playing rhythm in a band, improvising over jazz changes, chord construction, cross-picking, fingerbusters, playing in a duet setting, and playing solo Bach.

Visit Mike's website

The Art & Craft of Songwriting

In addition to his own repertoire of original compositions, San Francisco-based performing songwriter Jimmy Bruno has seen his originals recorded by the likes of Shawn Colvin, Mary Lou Lord, Cliff Eberhardt, Laurie MacAllister, Chuck Prophet, and Thad Cockrell.

In this three-session workshop, Jim will work as a coach for people who have begun writing songs, rather than novices, focusing on rewrites and developing new material, covering topics such as song structure, poetic devices, melody, co-writing, song concepts, and rhyming schemes. The final session will include student performances.

Visit Jim's website

fiddlekids Summer Day Camp
2009 SESSION ANNOUNCED!

A joyful one-week summer camp devoted to teaching Appalachian, Celtic, jazz, and bluegrass fiddle. Held June 22–26, for children ages 7–13, fiddlekids offers a chance to learn from some of the country's finest music instructors, while meeting other children with similar interests. fiddlekids offers an ideal setting for an intensive week of musical fun, learning, and growth.

Applicants should have played violin a minimum of one year prior to camp. Children learn fiddle in small groups, with an emphasis on ear training. They will be introduced to theory, basic composition, harmony, and improvisation in a fun and practical manner. Art and dance classes are offered in small, age-based groups, providing enrichment and thematic connections with the music. The final day of camp culminates with a grand performance where students perform tunes they have learned all week.

Visit the fiddlekids' website

Take the Stage Band Workshop

PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Hilary Perkins

"STAR" INSTRUCTORS INCLUDE: Kathy Kallick, Jim Nunally, Laurie Lewis, and Tom Rozum

WINTER 2009 SESSION: 8 weekly sessions, Jan. 11 – Mar. 16
Freight show March 21, 2009

TIME: 2 hours per week, times TBA

FEE: $350.00

For information: To apply, fill out application form. Application is available in PDF format and Word format.

Do you enjoy playing bluegrass or folk for fun, at home, in your spare time? Do you and your friends get together for some pickin' and singin' every so often? Ever wonder what it might be like to play in a group, on stage in front of friends and fans?

Well here's your chance to take the stage at the Freight & Salvage, the Bay Area's premier venue for bluegrass, folk, and American roots music!!

"Take the Stage" is an 8-week band performance workshop bringing aspiring musicians from around the Bay Area together to learn and perform Americana and roots music with expert coaching from professional musicians. The workshop culminates in a performance at the world-class Freight & Salvage.

Important Notes about the program:

• Workshop Instructors bring professional experience in bluegrass, old-time, folk and other American roots music and are committed to excellent instruction for the advanced-beginner level and above.


• "Star" instructors will take a turn at leading specialized sessions in areas such as harmony development, taking instrumental breaks, and sound set-up.


• Participants will be screened and grouped based on experience, instrument, ability, interest and schedule. TTS strives to make the experience encouraging and fun for all. Participants will experience exploring music with others—including the need to balance individual and group needs and interests.


• You must commit to attending rehearsals and the performance. Your band-mates will be counting on you.


• Cost is $350, including guest instructors, sound class, a performance at the Freight & Salvage and an audio recording of the show. We may be able to provide a video of the show at an extra cost. We can on occasion reduce the workshop fee for needed instruments or vacancies.


• Musical identity of the bands: You will be preparing five songs. We have found that while we try to group people based on their musical interests, not everyone shares the same definition of, for instance bluegrass, or share the same taste in specific sub-genres. The TTS bands have naturally evolved into creating their own identity and sound based on individual and group interests once they get together and get to know each other. All of this, of course, within the world of Americana Roots music. After accounting for schedule, instrument type and playing level, we group the bands as best we can by musical style and genre. The Workshops are also taught by musicians who are knowledgeable and accomplished with specific genres and who can give specific coaching on overall band sound and to individual musicians on their solos etc. however, if you would be unhappy performing with a band that strays from a strict definition of a particular genre, this workshop may not be for you.


• Send in an application and deposit of $100 to hold your place. Deposits are nonrefundable unless we are unable to accept you into the workshop. The balance is due at the first workshop and is nonrefundable. These policies are in place to strongly encourage people to make a commitment to their band and keep it.

Advanced Band Coaching now also offered: This is a new program for existing semi-professional or professional bands who would like to get to the next level of musicianship. Space limited and auditions required. For more information on cost and program:

So bring out your banjo, guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, or bass and best singing voice and make some music!!!

The "Take the Stage" Workshop was created by Hilary Perkins, Lou Ponticas, and Dan Barbee and is a project of the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse and Nell Robinson Music. The mission is to help people who have music in their hearts bring it out and share it, increase audience for and involvement in roots music, and build community around live music.