Richard Melling’s wish for his fifth birthday was a trumpet. Instead, he received a snare drum and an invitation to join Bonnie Langly’s Youth Caballeros Irish-Mexican Marching band, where he played drums and then trumpet for seven years. Richard took up the guitar in his teens and shortly thereafter fell in love with folk, bluegrass, old-time and classic country music. Richard has worked professionally as a kindergarten teacher, he was a volunteer world and folk music programmer on KBOO radio in Portland, and he has been involved with several bands including The Blue Heelers, Stumbleweed Bluegrass Band and, currently, the Ross Island Ramblers.
Bluegrass Guitar, Singing, and Harmony
In this class we will work on 8-10 standard bluegrass songs and use them as a springboard to explore bluegrass fundamentals; the role of different instruments, vocal technique and harmony, instrumental rhythm and breaks, and playing well with others.
This class is open to all standard bluegrass instruments (guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, dobro and fiddle) and will explore general concepts of rhythm, improvising, and creating “licks” and “fills.” However specific instruction for some instruments (fiddle in particular) will be limited. This is an advanced beginner / intermediate class. Students should be familiar with their instrument and be able to change chords comfortably.