MLAG 2022 Pre-Gathering Classes
MLAG will again present three Pre-Gathering workshops in 2022.
Though the Gathering proper does not begin until Wednesday, June 8, 2022, these Pre-MLAG workshops will provide some wonderful options for early arrivals. The workshops will cost $130 per person. Instructors and levels are described below. You may register on-line for these workshops choosing the Pre-Gathering Class Only Ticket option under the Tickets drop down menu or include a Pre-Gathering class as part of your registration for the Gathering proper. If you need assistance with registration, please call our hot line. As usual, we will be limiting the maximum number of students in each workshop to 20 students so, if you’re considering taking one of these workshops, you should register as soon as you can.
The workshops will be conducted in three 3-hour sessions beginning at 9 am on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 in classrooms at Shippensburg University. You will be notified of the details prior to arrival. If you registered for a dorm room, your meals are all provided; otherwise, you will need to bring your lunch or purchase lunch in the dining hall.
These workshops provide a great opportunity for some hands-on training with three of the best autoharp players and teachers in the world. For at least the next few years there will be a Patsy Tressler Memorial Award. A random drawing from the names of all Pre-Gathering participants (who are registered for the full Gathering) will be made on Wednesday night and one lucky individual will be given a check to cover the cost of the class.
Pre-MLAG Workshops
Tuesday 9-12 & 1-4 • Wednesday 8:30-11:30
Les Gustafson-Zook – Beginners: Open up your world of music making through the autoharp with a well respected, patient, friendly and inspiring instructor with 30 years of teaching experience! This class is a great opportunity to get a solid start on playing autoharp, offering a thorough introduction to the joys and challenges of playing this friendly and approachable instrument.
We’ll cover basic tuning and maintenance, fingerpick options, holding the instrument, using a strap, beginning strums and rhythms, finger positions on the buttons, introduction to chords and keys and more! As a beginner, you can jump start your MLAG experience by getting grounded, increasing your confidence, learning some tunes and making new friends with this class!
Ivan Stiles – Intermediate: Spend nine intensive hours covering a wide variety of subjects. Advanced strokes will cover hammering on, back slurs, drag notes, rolling arpeggios, triplet frills, and more. Arranging tunes addresses alternate chords for well known songs. Developing your style will explore various strum patterns, beginnings and endings, turn arounds, melody breaks, timing changes, and more. We’ll have a session devoted to jigs and reels and how best to play them. We’ll cover modulating from one key to another with the famous “I Walk the Line.” Emphasis will be placed on precise melody picking.
Karen Mueller – Advanced: Calling all pickers who want to refine their skills and have fun in the process! In this workshop we’ll delve into a variety of genres on both diatonic and chromatic harps, from traditional to contemporary styles such as Celtic, old-time, folk, Scandinavian, and vintage pop. Topics will include creating dynamic arrangements, smoother and more accurate melody picking, rhythmic variations, interesting backup playing, and more.