From: press@hottuna.com 
  
 Greetings! 
  
 I work with Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch here in southeastern 
 Ohio,USA, and I've just learned that there are still a few openings in 
 workshops late in the summer and this fall. 
  
 This would be a great opportunity to make a trip to America and learn some 
 music from the masters of blues, bluegrass, rock, and other genres. 
  
 It's important to note that Fur Peace Ranch is *not* a fantasy camp. 
 Students arrive on Friday and go to work with their instructors at once; 
 there are classes Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday morning and 
 afternoon. There is a big concert in the Fur Peace Station Concert Hall on 
 Saturday night (to which students get free tickets and preferred seating), 
 then classes again Sunday morning and afternoon, before the student 
 performance -- an open mic where those who want to can show off their 
 licks -- and, often, classes on Sunday night. Finally, there's a review 
 session on Monday morning. 
  
 The food is great and the accommodations are great. It's no surprise that 
 more than three quarters of Fur Peace Ranch students have been there 
 before, some dozens of times. 
  
 This year, more classes have been added, so there are a few openings 
 available -- the classes are small, typically about a dozen, and usually 
 fill up within a day or two of being announced. We'd like to keep adding 
 classes, so I'm especially interested in letting out the word! 
  
 Here are the workshops that are still open to those who are quick: 
  
 WYATT RICE, the great bluegrass guitarist (and brother of Tony), will be 
 teaching the intricacies of rhythm guitar the weekend of August 24. This 
 workshop will teach advanced and fundamental rhythm techniques including 
 cross picking, syncopated rhythms, passing chords, chord substitutions and 
 inversions. A variety of right hand patterns combined with left hand 
 technique along with bass runs will be taught. Here's a chance to learn 
 from a real master. 
  
 DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN will accent interpretation rather than memorization of 
 songs in his finger style guitar workshop the weekend of September 7. This 
 young fireball has amazed and delighted audiences across the nation with 
 the skill and authenticity he brings to his music. He will help students 
 make songs their own. 
  
 FAREED HAQUE brings the entire guitar world, from jazz to classical to 
 funk, to his September 7 workshop, which will focus on removing the fear 
 of diverse genres and putting all the varied styles to work in playing the 
 things you want to play. The result is a broad palette of styles, tools, 
 and approaches, all available for use in just about any style of playing. 
  
 JEFF PEHRSON, one of the founders of Box Set and a well-traveled and 
 well-collaborated (Willie Nelson, Greg Brown, Loudon Wainwright, Richard 
 Thompson, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Todd Rundgren, Brian Setzer, 
 Hot Tuna, Bob Weir and Ratdog, Jefferson Airplane, Huey Lewis and The 
 News, BareNaked Ladies, Ani DiFranco and a slew of others) artist, will 
 address various aspects of the craft and business of songwriting; 
 especially from the independent songwriter's perspective, in his September 
 28 workshop. Actual songwriting will take place, so students are invited 
 to bring works in progress! 
  
 Workshop students have the opportunity to get loopy with DAVID GANS 
 September 28, when he provides instruction in the use of a loop device as 
 both an accompaniment for singer-songwriters and for the creation of 
 multi-layered improvisations. Students would need to bring a guitar that 
 plugs in (acoustic or electric), and a Boss RC-20XL Loop Station. This is 
 a skill increasingly important to the serious guitarist. Yup, he's the 
 David Gans you got to know from his work with the Grateful Dead. 
  
 JOHN McEUEN, who you know as the legendary banjo player who helped found 
 the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will teach banjo techniques for better guitar 
 playing (and better banjo playing, too) in his workshop the weekend of 
 October 26. Students will explore alternate tunings and, to round it off, 
 John will share his experiences and advice in using music to put food on 
 the table. "Hand me down that can of beans!" 
  
 Students around the world sing -- and play -- the praises of mandolin 
 virtuoso BARRY MITTERHOFF (who happens to tour regularly nowadays with 
 Jorma and as part of Hot Tuna), and a select few will have the opportunity 
 to learn from him at his November 9 workshop. He'll take the instrument 
 into bluegrass but won't stop with just that genre. Barry's workshop is 
 open to students with a range of experience on the mandolin. 
  
 Keyboard players, here's your chance! PETE SEARS, who has played keyboard 
 and bass with everyone from Rod Stewart to Hot Tuna to Sly Stone to Taj 
 Mahal to, now, the Flying Other Brothers, will offer a blues and rock 
 keyboard workshop November 9. Pete's experience is vast and unique, and 
 his students will learn more in four days than they ever imagined 
 possible. (Participants should bring: An 88 key weighted action digital 
 electric piano, a small amp, a stool, sustain pedal, and headphones.) 
  
 To get more information, go to http://www.furpeaceranch.com and look 
 around. Then enroll -- you won't regret it! 
  
 Thanks for reading this and for stopping by. 
  
 dep 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)