Voyager Recordings & Publications

WORKSHOPS

From time to time, and especially in the summer, we teach at fiddle camps and other events. We are posting information about the workshops and workshop materials to download prior to attending so one can get a head start. Of course, these materials may be useful to anyone else as well.

Phil will be doing traditional backup guitar workshops at the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers workshop at Wallowa, Oregon, in July, and at the Washington Old Time Fiddlers workshop at Kittitas, Washington, in August. At these workshops he will be using chord formations and techniques for playing in any key without a capo using simple chord formations which he learned from his father, a traditional Kentucky player. The open chord formations facilitate moving bass line playing, using what Phil calls the "wiggle finger." The barred open "A" chord formation, in particular, must be mastered to get the full benefit of the bass line techniques discussed at the workshops. The "Hillbilly Way of Playing Traditional Backup Guitar Without a Capo" uses a system of four basic chord formations without making any barre chords, with a couple of 7th chord variations. Learning and practicing these chord formations prior to attending the workshop will help the class understand the nuances of backup technique, which requires familiarity with the chord formations and ability to change from one to another rapidly.

The following materials are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print. If you don't already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, it can be downloaded from www.adobe.com.

Phil's Backup Guitar Chords

How to Play Traditional Guitar in Any Key Without a Capo the Hillbilly Way