Your Answers: Your Favorite Festival Classes

Last week I asked you what type of classes you liked most at festivals - here are your replies!

Name: Jan P.
Location: Lexington, KY
"I appreciate repertoire classes that also expand your skill set; classes that teach skills needed for playing a baritone, banjo hybrid, or chromatic dulcimer; and classes for learning more about other instruments like the pennywhistle or ukulele. I also like learning duets and playing rounds."

Name: John Z.
Location: Harrow,ON
"Jam sessions. Especially when a top player is present to make the rest of us stretch."

Name: Marilyn R
Location: Cincinnati, OH
"I like classes on very specific (vs. broader) techniques, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, scales, warm-ups, etc. which include specific exercises for practicing at home. I would also like to see a class on using different computer applications... TablEdit for creating sheet music, apps for reading sheet music, etc. Maybe a class on methods/exercises which can prevent hand/shoulder/neck problems in the future."

Name: Wayne Anderson
Location: Kingston, ON Canada
"I enjoy going to the festivals in the North Eastern US as where I live there are none. One class I so enjoyed was a class on the Banjammer (Banjo sound from a dulcimer) but I enjoy all the classes, but specifically the skill building classes. Encourage everyone to attend these festivals if possible."

Name: Greg G.
Location: Riga, Michigan
"I prefer technique classes. Workshops that show how to apply new techniques to the repertoire that I already have are most beneficial. With repertoire classes I find that I end up liking only one or two of the tunes well enough to follow through and develop when I get back home. With new techniques I can improve the repertoire I already have under my belt."

Name: Lora A.
Location: Nashville, TN
"Rather than collecting yet more tab, I go to festivals to improve my technique and learn how to apply theory to my instrument."