Bill Schilling's Workshop Subjects
Updated
Bill often presents
workshops at festivals, but has also found them to be a valuable way of sharing
information with classroom students, conference and seminar participants,
church and senior citizen groups, and others. The following subjects and
descriptions will help you decide on the best workshop(s) for your event. Check
with Bill for other specific subjects you would like him to cover.
Autoharp
Basic Autoharp
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to the autoharp, acquainting them
with different harps, playing styles, setups, simple repairs, practice hints,
and/or resources. Participants will hear and use different playing styles.
Beginning
Autoharp Accompaniment
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to accompaniment playing styles on
the autoharp which will allow participants to quickly and easily accompany
folk-style singing or lead instruments in a jam by using simple strumming
techniques on an in tune autoharp. Participants will play different
accompaniment patterns and sing along (if they choose). Feeling the beat and/or
counting will be emphasized along with chord changes.
Beginning
Melody Autoharp
The purpose of this
workshop is to help participants understand how to find melodies for playing
leads on the autoharp. Participants will be encouraged and instructed on
playing by ear and on playing by finding the notes from written music as we
understand how our chord bars are related to the notes of the scale.
Autoharp
Tablature
The purpose of this
workshop is to let the participants see and use different styles of tablature
for the autoharp and to learn how they can create their own tablature using
similar techniques to write in their strum or picking patterns on standard
music notation or on lyric sheets.
Autoharp
Melody Strum
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to the melody strum method for
playing melody and harmony on the autoharp by strumming up to the melody note
(and recognizing it when it is heard) using fingers, a flat pick, or a thumb
pick. Since frequent smooth changes of the chord bars are essential to melody playing,
left hand technique will be emphasized along with the right hand strum and
listening.
Autoharp
Thumb Lead Melody Playing
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to the thumb lead method for playing
faster tunes on the autoharp. Participants will practice using an exact
striking motion with the thumb and one or two fingers to produce clean melody
lines. Left hand technique for quick changes of chord bars will be emphasized.
Participants are encouraged to have tight fitting thumb and finger picks for
this workshop since they are generally (but not always) used for this style of
playing.
Autoharp
Pinch/Pluck Melody Playing
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to the pinch/pluck method of melody
playing on the autoharp. Participants will use fingerpicks and thumbpick (or bare fingers and thumb) to play the melody
while incorporating some backup and /or harmony in this pleasing and useful
style. Emphasis will be placed on developing right hand accuracy and directionality
as well as left hand technique.
Autoharp
Questions
The purpose of this
workshop is to let the participants ask questions they may have about autoharp
playing. Subjects may include (but are not limited to): holding the autoharp;
left hand technique; right hand technique; using bare fingers, fingernails, flatpicks, thumbpicks, and
fingerpicks; tuning; playing accompaniment; playing lead; chord bar layout;
setup and repair; reading and writing tablature and music; playing by ear;
chromatic and diatonic styles; amplification, and other things participants are
interested in. Hopefully, answers will be provided by
the workshop leader and/or the other participants. The participants and leader
will play a variety of things whenever appropriate in answering the questions.
If the questions run out, a variety of songs will be available for all to play
together.
Bowed
Psaltery
Beginning Bowed Psaltery
The
purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to the bowed
psaltery, acquainting them with different psalteries and bows, holding the
psaltery, bowing techniques, simple melody playing, simple backup playing, and
playing with two bows. Participants will hear and use different playing styles.
Crossing to the Other Side of the Bowed Psaltery
The
purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to playing in keys
other than C on the bowed psaltery, which requires crossing to the other side
of the instrument for the sharps or flats. Participants will play songs and
tunes in at least the keys of G, D, and F.
Bowed Psaltery Repertoire
The
purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to various songs and
tunes that might work well on the bowed psaltery (and maybe some that won’t work
well). Participants will play several songs and tunes and may suggest some of
their own.
Accompaniment with Bowed Psaltery
The
purpose of this workshop is to introduce the participants to ways to use the
bowed psaltery for accompaniment. Participants will learn techniques to play
bass parts including bass runs, harmonies, descants, and arpeggios, as well as
using two bows to play parts of chords.
Guitar
Beginning Guitar Chords & Strums
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the
participants to the left hand chord positions for a few basic guitar chords
(possibly in key of D, key of G, or key of C depending on student needs) while
maintaining rhythmic strumming in different ways with the right hand in order
to play basic accompaniment for many traditional folk songs and tunes.
Basic Guitar Fingerpicking
Styles Workshop
The purpose of this workshop
is to introduce the participants to various pattern styles of guitar fingerpicking that can be used with different time
signatures for accompaniment and later modified (if desired) for more complex
finger-style guitar playing. Participants should feel comfortable forming and
changing several chords with their left hands. No previous fingerpicking
experience is needed, and those who have only used a flatpick for the right hand are welcome.
Modified Travis Style Picking Guitar Workshop
The purpose of this workshop
is to introduce the participants to a modified version of Travis style picking.
Participants will concentrate on establishing a pattern style of guitar picking
that can be used for accompaniment and later modified (if desired) for more
complex finger-style guitar playing. Participants should feel comfortable
forming and changing several chords with their left hands. No previous fingerpicking experience is needed, and those who have only
used a flatpick for the right hand are welcome.
Hammered
Dulcimer
Beginning Hammered Dulcimer
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce beginners to the hammered dulcimer, concentrating on
tuning tips, playing positions, hammers & hammering, rhythm tips, practice
hints, playing styles, playing occasions, and playing melodies and/or chords.
Playing
HD During a Group Sing
The purpose of this workshop is to acquaint the
participants with some options they have for playing hammered dulcimer while
they are part of a group sing. Naturally, playing melody is an option, but
there are other options as well. Participants will be encouraged to listen for
and experiment with some of the options such as chords, arpeggios, trills,
decorations, harmonies, simple bass parts, and bass runs while playing some
simple and familiar tunes.
Mountain
Dulcimer
Beginning
Mountain Dulcimer – DAA Melody with Drones
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the learners to DAA tuning and playing. Several tuning
methods will be presented and used. Songs will be played using different
strumming and picking patterns. Emphasis will be placed on playing the melody,
using the drones, and keeping the rhythm.
Advanced
Beginning Mountain Dulcimer – DAA Melody with Drones
The purpose of this
workshop is to strengthen the learners in DAA tuning and playing. Tuning
questions will be addressed. More complex songs will be played using basic
strumming and picking patterns with emphasis on playing the melody, using the
drones, and keeping the rhythm.
Advanced
Beginning Mountain Dulcimer – DAA Chording
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the learners to DAA chording. Players will learn how
to read dulcimer chord charts and tablature, will play chords for accompanying
lead instruments or vocals, and will use chords along with melodies for a
fuller sound than just drones provide.
Minor
Mode Melody and Drone for MD
The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the
participants to the plaintive sound of the Aeolian and/or Dorian modes on the
mountain dulcimer. Participants will be given assistance in retuning to DAC
and/or DAG (and back at the end of the workshop if desired), will get to
recognize and try some minor scales, and play some common minor tunes with
traditional drone accompaniment.
Through
the MD Modes
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the learners to modes beyond DAA Ionian. Tuning
methods will develop as modes are changed to DAD Mixolydian,
DAC Aeolian, DAG Dorian, DAF Phrygian, and DAE Lydian. Appropriate songs will
be played in some of the modes.
Rounds
as Parts for MD
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the learners to playing in parts through the use of
rounds. Workshop participants will concentrate on listening and working with
others as they play rounds in DAA and other tunings. The workshop is
appropriate for beginners, but can also be geared for intermediate players.
Playing
Parts for MD
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the learners to playing parts of a song with other
players. Workshop participants will concentrate on listening and working with
others as they try different parts of several songs. Since some players can
simply play the melody or chords, the workshop can be appropriate for most
dulcimer players. Various tunings may be used with DAA as a beginning point.
From
DAA to DAD for MD
The purpose of this
workshop is to allow players who are used to playing melody and drone
accompaniment in DAA or other tunings to understand how to read and follow
standard DAD tablature working on some simple tricks for recognizing and using
typical fingering patterns.
Understanding
Mountain Dulcimer and the Printed Page
The purpose of this
workshop is to allow players to understand how the things they are doing on the
mountain dulcimer relate to music on the printed page with emphasis on
understanding the whole and half steps in some modal scales and understanding
how transposing and changing keys work. There is more discussion than playing
in this intermediate level workshop.
Other Instruments
and Other Subjects
Campfire Songs, Skits, and Stories
Participants will hear,
learn, and take part in a variety of campfire songs, skits, & stories.
There will be old favorites, new directions, and ideas on planning, presentation,
and programming. Participants will be encouraged to present their favorites for
group enjoyment and/or for critiques. This should be a lively workshop. Come
set to participate!
Children's Songs
Keeping children
entertained these days can be a very serious business. This workshop can be
presented simply as a concert for children, their families, and others giving
folks a chance to observe one style of working with children; or it can be
presented as a session for adults who want to start or to improve their skills
in working with young people. Come prepared to participate on sing-alongs and rhythms since most of the fun of the workshop
comes from the participants.
Folk Revival Songs
The 1950s and 1960s
brought a resurgence in folk and traditional music with collectors finding old
recordings, old books, and (maybe more importantly) going out to find and bring
to the attention of others musicians who had learned the music through the oral
(or aural) tradition rather than from the media. A young generation started
performing and writing in those styles and many say that the music affected the
conscience of that generation. Participants will sing and hear some songs that
came back or started during the folk revival, will share reminiscences, and will
discuss the times and process.
Folk-Style Songs & Instruments
Workshop participants
will sing choruses of and/or play rhythm or homemade instruments with various
folk-style songs. They will be encouraged to discuss and ask questions about
how the folk song process connects broadsides, ballads, traditional songs,
old-time songs, and folk songs to religious, seasonal, satiric, blues, country,
hillbilly, western, cowboy, political, topical, protest, and contemporary
singer/songwriter songs. They will learn about the history, setup, playing
techniques, similarities, differences, and scientific sound principles of
various folk and homemade instruments.
Gospel Sing
People get involved on
a Sunday morning (or other time) at a festival -- or any time as a special
event at a church, club, or community function -- by singing songs that people
have grown up with in church and heard or sung at other events. Participants
are encouraged to choose songs and to sing along using specially prepared song
sheets. Chord sheets allow others to help make the music with folk instruments
(and possibly a piano or organ if the situation is right).
Humorous Songs
The purpose of this
workshop is to enjoy a few of the songs that some people think are funny. There
will be chances for participants to sing several choruses, to suggest or
perform songs for/with the other participants, and to rate and to discuss how
well the humor in the songs works.
Jugs, Tubs, Kazoos, Whistles, Washboards, Shakes and
More
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce the participants to a variety of backup and rhythm
instruments, acquainting them with playing styles and giving them an
opportunity to play various instruments along with some familiar songs.
Information on finding or constructing the instruments and on jam etiquette
will also be provided.
Multimedia Programs
The purpose of this
workshop is to introduce participants to some of the ways to put together
multimedia presentations. Emphasis will be placed on the slide shows combined
with folk-style music that are used in Schilling's Slides, Songs, & Stories
presentations. Topics will include: planning the overall presentation,
developing the visual presentation, creating the audio portion, adding dance or
movement, combining prepared and live media, involving the audience, and
evaluating the overall presentation.
Shaker Songs
The purpose of this
workshop is to have participants sing and hear some Shaker music while
introducing them to some of the history of that music, some Shaker beliefs, Shaker
communities, and Shaker letteral notation.
Singer/Songfinders
Some singers find more
great songs than they write. Participants will hear (and may share) songs from
various sources and find out about some of the resources they may use to find
similar songs.
Singing and/or Playing Rounds
The purpose of this
workshop is to sing and/or play songs as rounds. Participants will work on
simple and/or familiar rounds sung and/or played ensemble and then in
increasing number of parts. As time allows, more rounds with more words and/or more complex melodies will be attempted. Participants will
be encouraged to lead and/or teach their choices of rounds with the other
participants.
Songs from Canal Days
Many songs have been
written describing life on the Ohio and Erie Canal and other canals. In this
workshop participants will learn about this important part of our
transportation history through several songs (particularly ones with words by
Pearl Nye to popular tunes) and stories of the time. Participants are encouraged
to join in with instruments and voices. This workshop can be even more
effectively done when Bill is joined by Linda Sigismondi and/or Marge Diamond.
Songs from the Appalachians
The purpose of this workshop
is to acquaint the participant with some of the variety of the songs and
instruments that have roots in the Appalachian Mountains, whether the songs are
originals from there or were brought from previous cultures by settlers in the
area. Participants will have the opportunity to sing along on several songs, to
play homemade or rhythm instruments which might have been used in the area, and
to discuss and ask questions about the music, instruments, and lifestyle of the
area.
Songs of Land and Water
The natural world has been the inspiration for many
artistic creations. This workshop will explore several songs influenced by
various features of land or water in many different places. Participants will
be encouraged to become a part of the workshop by singing or playing along on
some of the songs, leading or choosing some of the songs, or sharing thoughts
or memories inspired by some of the songs.
Songs of Love
It would probably be
safe to guess that more songs have been written about love and lost love than
any other subject. Bring some of your favorites about either subject, and we'll
see if we can share some laughter (and maybe some tears) as we join in songs
from many times and places all celebrating (or bemoaning) love. We'll try to
make sure to end with a positive feeling, no matter how many tribulations we go
through.
Songs of Peace
Songs that celebrate
peace, that bring peace within us, or that make us aware of the horrors of war
can all be among the most powerful of our songs. Participants will get a chance
to be a part of the peace process as we share some songs of each type and find
out the effects they have on the participants.
Songs with Good Choruses
A shared group of
voices is something really special. We'll try some rounds, some harmonies, some
simple words to remember, some old favorites, and some challenges to the
memories. We'll use instruments and we'll sing a capella.
Participants may suggest or lead songs during the workshop, but everyone should
come prepared to join in the singing!
Traditional Songs
Songs in the public
domain that we don't know an author for come from all over the world and from
many times. Participants in this workshop will get a chance to play, sing, or
listen to songs from many traditions and will have the opportunity to suggest
or perform songs for/with the other participants. Stay alert! See if you can
discover when a composed (or even a copyrighted) song sneaks its way in
masquerading as a traditional song. There may even be a contest to see who can
identify the traditions and can find the ringers.
Vocal Accompaniment for Folk-Style Instruments
The purpose of this
workshop is to allow participants to understand more about beginning
instrumental styles for accompanying vocals (or melody instruments). Workshop
participants will hear accompaniment styles on several instruments and get a
chance to try adding their own instruments to the accompaniment. The workshop
is appropriate for most folk instruments.
Vocal Styles
Sometimes a song
demands a certain style of singing due to subject matter, area of origination,
or a singer's interpretation. Participants will hear (and may share) songs in
different voices and explanations of why they seem appropriate.
Contact Bill
Schilling by e-mail.
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