An Improvisation Workshop with JOEL MABUS

Saturday , January 13, 2007
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($35.00)

A popular Elderly Instruments music instructor for 25 years, Joel Mabus is not only a talented performer but also the consummate teacher and workshop presenter: he really wants to turn students into ever-better musicians. For example, check his website (www.joelmabus.com) for a listing of online handouts developed for his numerous and varied workshops. Joel makes these readily available to students partly in case "the dog ate your homework". That's vintage Joel.

Regarding his Improv workshop, Joel recently wrote to us, "At Stringalong [the long-running University of Wisconsin music camp weekend] I gave my improvisation workshop which I've done before at several places, but never in Lansing." What he didn't add--and wouldn't, being Joel--was that this workshop was a huge success and that the students greatly enjoyed and benefited from it. We know this to be true because several of his workshop students made a point to tell us so.

"Improvisation 101" was developed for intermediate-level players. Although Joel will be teaching the hands-on course on guitar, he emphasizes that mandolins and violins are also welcome to attend. "If you can play a simple melody and know a few scales," Joel explains, "but freeze up and shake your head when they turn to you and say 'Take it!'--then this class is for you."

Offering further explanation of this workshop, Joel points out that there are some "fail safe strategies and logical approaches to improvising over chords and simply 'jamming' with unfamiliar melodies." The class will look at both rhythm and melodic structures, and everyone will have opportunities to "explore their fingerboards and make their 'noodling' more focused and expressive."

Coming as it is in mid-January, the $35 workshop will make a very nice holiday gift for musically-minded friends or family members; the students will benefit from spending enjoyable educational time [no, it's not an oxymoron] with Joel and improving their efforts at improv. The workshop is scheduled from 12:30 to 3 pm with a 30-minute break. Workshop space is limited, so sign up soon. Ten (10) sign-ups by Wednesday, January 10, guarantees that the workshop will be a "go."

"He has perfected the art of being entertaining without pandering, he teaches without lecturing, and does it all with great style." - Vancouver Folk Festival

"[His playing] boasts a relaxed yet propulsive feel, unfailingly beautiful tone, and fine, ever-graceful ornamentation." - Guitar Player Magazine

"Joel Mabus is a stunning musician.... an extraordinary singer..." - Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago

Joel's annual winter Ten Pound Fiddle concert will be held on Friday, January 12, at Dart Auditorium in Lansing.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Joel Mabus