Workshops with Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones

This class will delve into Appalachian style fiddling which is the living tradition found in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina (and now all over the world!). Secrets of bowing and other characteristics of old-time fiddling will be explored as well as getting that “old-time sound.” We’ll also talk about heritage players of the South and their style. Questions encouraged and we shall work through any playing blocks you have encountered so that playing the fiddle is nothing but joy. Please bring a recorder to class and your adventurous fiddling spirit!

Erynn Marshall is an old-time fiddler who lives in Galax, Virginia and is known internationally for her traditional music. Erynn learned the nuances of Appalachian old-time fiddling from rare recordings and visiting 80-95 year-old southern fiddlers. Erynn performs at festivals, teaches at music camps around the globe, and tours with her husband – songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Carl Jones. Erynn won 1st place fiddle at “Clifftop” (The Appalachian Stringband Festival) and was the first woman to do so in 19 years. In 2019, she won first place in old-time fiddle at the Mt. Airy Bluegrass & Old-time Fiddlers Convention. She has made 11 recordings, and appeared in 5 films (Voices of Virginia, the Clifftop Experience I’ll Fly Away Home, Conversations with Old-Time Musicians,” plus Never Met a Stranger) and is featured in the new book “Singing at the Clothesline” by Susi Lawson. Erynn is coordinator for Swannanoa Old-Time Week (Swannanoa, NC) and Program Director for Alleghany JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) a non-profit that helps children learn traditional music afterschool. www.dittyville.com

In this workshop we’ll focus on using basic concepts and small 2-string “shapes” to quickly make the mandolin fingerboard much more accessible and less of a mysterious “maze.” Insights into scale sections, harmonized scales, and the eye-opening “slants” and “reaches” (chords) will be demonstrated. This will make it easier and more fun to learn a great old-time tune and a bit of song back-up as well. I will aim at intermediate level students but beginners are more than welcome and usually benefit greatly. Advanced players usually enjoy this class too and can get a few new ideas and tricks to put up their sleeves. Participants are welcome to video and encouraged to bring a recording device.

Carl Jones is an American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Born in Macon, Georgia, Carl presently lives in Galax, Virginia. Carl is widely respected for his instrumental talents and original songs about the joys and tribulations of day-to-day life in the South. Carl’s songs have been recorded by The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Kate Campbell, Rickie Simpkins with Tony Rice, and others. His song Last Time On The Road was on the grammy-award-winning album Unleashed by the Nashville Bluegrass Band. In the 1980’s he played mandolin with James Bryan, Norman and Nancy Blake as part of the Rising Fawn String Ensemble. Today he tours the world with his wife, fiddler Erynn Marshall. Carl is known for his fine musicianship, charismatic teaching, sense of humor, and powerful songwriting. He has recorded on a couple dozen recordings including his original songs CD “Traveling Star” and Norman Blake’s “Original Underground Music of the Mysterious South.” www.dittyville.com