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Keep On The Sunny Side
Zoom Workshop
Thursdays April 3, 10, 17, 24
5:30pm-6:30pm Pacific
www.mikewitcher.com

This month we focus on the Carter Family classic Keep On the Sunny Side. We will learn the melody in 3 positions and explore the textures; slides, hammer/pull, single notes, double stops, & chords unique to each position. I’ll share my ideas on how to link them together and some fun exercises for experimenting with phrasing. This class will give you a solid foundation in playing in the key of C without a capo and the tools to improvise your own solo around the melody.

#dobro #slideguitar #bluegrass #dobrolessons #beardguitars #mikewitcher #carterfamily #blackbeard #keeponthesunnyside

Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burnin

#lapsteelguitar #slideguitarblues #bluesguitarist

In this Beginning Dobro lesson, @witcher.mike shows how to play "Your Love Is Like a Flower." The classic bluegrass song has a chord progression and melodic shape you’ll find in dozens of bluegrass songs, so it’s important to know this progression how as well as a solo over it. Check it out!
#dobro #bluegrass #pegheadnation

In this Dobro Workshop lesson on Peghead Nation, @witcher.mike will teach you the beautiful waltz “Ashokan Farewell” in the higher octave. Since you’ll mostly be playing the melody on the top string, Mike reminds you of the D major scale on the top string, before walking you through the melody of “Ashokan Farewell,” phrase by phrase. Join us!
#dobro #pegheadnation

Ring in the Holidays with the newly formed Bayside Rounders at the Otter Opry in Monterey, Wednesday, Dec 17. Great grooves, hot solos, and melodious harmonies by some of the very best of the Bay Area bluegrass scene.

I’ve always loved Laurie Lewis’s song Texas Bluebonnets. It was a real treat to play it in Laurie’s home town at one of my favorite venues.

#dobro #slideguitar #bluegrass #beardguitars #mikewitcher #thefreight

Can’t play Manzanita without tipping the hat to Flux!!!

I’ve always wanted to work up this tune but never had anyone to play it with. So glad it made the list for the California Reunion tour this year.

#dobro #bluegrass #manzanita

The California Bluegrass Reunion is John Reischman (mandolin), Bill Evans (banjo), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (bass) and Mike Witcher (dobro), true all-stars from the California music scene featuring three CBA life members and a Steve Martin Banjo Prize winner. For this year’s annual tour, the Reunion will feature songs and tunes from California songwriters and Nell & Jim will open for all shows. Join the Reunion for one of these NorCal shows! Plus a special Banjo Workshop with Bill Evans on Nov 17th at Manning Music in Berkeley.

11/14 The Side Door - Sacramento
11/15 The California Theater - Santa Rosa
11/16 The Freight - Berkeley
11/18 Otter Opry - Monterey

The California Bluegrass Reunion is John Reischman (mandolin), Bill Evans (banjo), Jim Nunally (guitar), Chad Manning (fiddle), Sharon Gilchrist (bass) and Mike Witcher (dobro), true all-stars from the California music scene featuring three CBA life members and a Steve Martin Banjo Prize winner. For this year’s annual tour, the Reunion will feature songs and tunes from California songwriters and Nell & Jim will open for all shows. Join the Reunion for one of these NorCal shows! Plus a special Banjo Workshop with Bill Evans on Nov 17th at Manning Music in Berkeley.

11/14 The Side Door - Sacramento
11/15 The California Theater - Santa Rosa
11/16 The Freight - Berkeley
11/18 Otter Opry - Monterey

Dawg’s Waltz might just be my favorite David Grisman tune. It was a real treat to play it with these legends at the #strawberrymusicfestival. Check out the full video on YT.

In this Dobro Workshop lesson, @witcher.mike teaches his version of the beautiful old folk song “Shenandoah.” He starts by showing you the basic melody, and then he shows you how to spruce it up. He also talks about the improvised section he often plays in the middle of a performance of the tune. Join us!
#dobro #folkmusic #pegheadnation

In this Dobro Workshop lesson on Peghead Nation, Mike Witcher (@witcher.mike) shows how to play "Little Rabbit." The old-time fiddle tune has five parts and is in the key of A, played with a capo at the second fret. Join Mike for this and many more dobro lessons and tunes to play!
#dobro #fiddletunes #pegheadnation

Thrilled to be playing at San Francisco’s @jerrydaysf with old friend, @peterrowanmusic. Joined by @chadmanning5 on fiddle and @witcher.mike on dobro. We’re gonna rock the Dead Heads!

We’re on first! 11:45am-12:30pm
#jerrygarciaampitheater in #mclarenparksf #sanfrancisco #jerryday #jerrygarcia #melvinsealsandjgb #stuallenandmarshotel