Introduces fundamental musical principles and skills commonly used in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music, including scales, chords, meters, and the Nashville Number System.
(3 credits)Introduces current business practices within the bluegrass and acoustic music industry, and the agencies that work to help connect artists with consumer fanbases.
(3 credits)A multicultural survey of America’s diverse ethnic and regional traditions of vernacular music, how they have been revived and popularized in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and the revival and reinterpretation of those music traditions regionally, nationally, and internationally.
A study of the theory and application of bluegrass harmony singing emphasizing intonation, pronunciation, phrasing, blending, ear training, and notation.
(1 credit)Focuses on listening and performance skills; musical analysis; how to engage an audience musically, visually, and verbally; how to work as a full-time or part-time musician; and how to live one’s life as an artist.
(1 credit)A course for beginners, as well as those who have some playing experience. Basic flatpicked lead playing and accompaniment, with emphasis on clarity, smoothness, and solid rhythm; focus on folk, bluegrass, gospel, and country traditions.
(3 credits)A study of the anatomy, mechanics, and maintenance of stringed instruments with practical application of techniques associated with instrument setup, maintenance, diagnostics, and repair.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)Corequisites: Students enrolled in Celtic Band I must also be enrolled in at least one hour of individual instruction in voice or an appropriate instrument.
A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced Celtic-style musician and band leader, with focus on basic individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1 credit)A study of basic vocal techniques applicable to Bluegrass, Old-time and Country singing under the private instruction of an experienced vocalist.
A practical study of musical principles used in Bluegrass and Country Music including melody, harmony, and rhythm; intervals; standard musical notation; and the Nashville Number System.
A practical study of advanced musical principles used in Bluegrass and Country Music including progressive melody, harmony, and rhythm; extended intervals; advanced use of the Nashville Number System; tablature; solo creation; and improvisation.
(3 credits)Examines the foundations of old-time music in the 19th and 20th centuries through critical listening and historical analysis, with particular attention to African-American and Anglo-American music in the South.
(3 credits)Explores old-time music in the 20th and 21st century, in particular the series of folk revivals that emerged after the Great Depression and continue today.
BLUE 3010 - Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music History I
(3 credits)Presents a survey of the history of vernacular styles and practices in the wider context of American music making, addressing artistic, technological, business, and social developments from the colonial period through the mid-1900s.
Presents a survey of the history of vernacular styles and practices in the wider context of American music making, addressing artistic, technological, business, and social developments from the mid-1900s to the present.
(3 credits)A study of the history of country music including genres of country music; impact of country music traditions on other music; history of country music in America; country music outside the United States.
Provides an overview of bluegrass-related artists, entrepreneurs, communities, styles, practices, and venues from the rise of the post-World War II folk revival to the present. The course provides opportunities to conduct original research in the Archives of Appalachia and develop research and writing skills necessary for active participation in the professions and communities of bluegrass music.
BLUE 3232 - Bluegrass Event Planning and Promotion
(3 credits)Explores event promotion in relation to the bluegrass industry, and the necessary organizational components, including contracts, artist hospitality and riders, venues, audience demographics, attendance projections, advertising, planning committees, local government; volunteers, insurance, and finance (budgets, corporate sponsorships, gate receipts, etc.).
(1 credit)Focuses on listening and performance skills; musical analysis; how to engage an audience musically, visually, and verbally; and creativity and creative processes used in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots music.
(1 credit)For students who have completed Guitar I and those who play at an equivalent or higher level. An expansion of skills developed in BLUE 2310 - Guitar I (Introductory), with an introduction to Doc Watson-style crosspicking and Merle Travis style fingerpicking.
BLUE 3333 - Identity and Creative Strategy in Bluegrass Music
(3 credits)Introduces creative strategy as a guiding principle for marketing one’s self in bluegrass music, with a focus on brand development and promotion.
(3 credits)Prerequisites:BLUE 3333 OR permission from instructor.
Provides practical experience and instruction in virtual marketing, including website design, graphic design, and social media, related to the bluegrass and roots music industries.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the instrument and develop musically.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced Celtic-style musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1 credit)Provides an opportunity to study with an experienced musician in individual instruction. The course is flexibly designed to help the student gain confidence in the fundamentals of the voice and develop musically.
Develops a complementary aural skills set related to Bluegrass music theory and relevant to Bluegrass musicians through drills, exercises, and practical application.
BLUE 4030 - Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Pedagogy and Applied Instruction
(3 credits)Prerequisites: Instructor approval.
Provides pedagogical tools for teaching traditional and roots music. This course facilitates development of instructional materials and the use of them in applied (one-on-one) instruction.
BLUE 4040 - Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Leadership and Group Teaching
(3 credits)Prerequisites:BLUE 4030 or instructor approval.
Provides opportunities to develop leadership and group teaching skills in roots music settings by directing bands and organizing and executing group instruction.
BLUE 4050 - Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Research Methods and Techniques
(3 credits)Prerequisites: Instructor approval.
Provides opportunities to prepare for and propose original cultural documentation research. Also explores issues and techniques involved in planning, analysis, synthesis, fieldwork, and archival research related to Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots music making.
BLUE 4060 - Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Research Project
(3 credits)Prerequisites:BLUE 4050 or instructor approval.
Provides the opportunity to carry out a research project related to Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots music that involves collecting and analyzing information, synthesizing critical points for discussion, and developing a final report appropriate for presentation or publication.
(3 credits)An overview of the diverse musical forms that makeup contemporary bluegrass music, with an emphasis on the lasting contributions of significant artists and the tension between traditional and exploratory approaches.
(3 credits)An exploration of the diverse musical genres preceding the emergence of bluegrass music, which serves as the building block for the structure of bluegrass music.
(1 credit)Focuses on listening and performance skills; musical analysis; how to engage an audience musically, visually, and verbally; how to work as a full-time or part-time musician; and how to live one’s life as an artist.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1 credit)An individual instruction course which is a flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an opportunity for the student to gain confidence with the fundamentals of the instrument and to develop musically.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician and band leader with focus on individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(1-3 credits)Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Corequisites: Students enrolled in Celtic Band III must also be enrolled in at least one hour of individual instruction in voice or an appropriate instrument.
A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced Celtic-style musician and band leader with focus on advanced individual instrumentation and ensemble performance.
(3 credits)Provides experience in a collaborative fieldwork setting with source musicians that features participating in music-making, interacting, and establishing mentor-mentee relationships.
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