Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 7:34 am Post subject: 5 spots left in July 29 clinic, perhaps last one in 2006
Hi, Everyone,
Just thought I'd post an update on Robben's clinics in Ojai, CA. There are currently five available spots for the upcoming July 29th clinic, and the clinics usually sell out. We don't know if there will be another clinic this year becuase Robben's touring and recording schedule may not permit it, so this COULD be the last clinic until Jan. or Feb. of next year. If you want more details, to read comments from people who have attended the clinics, or for registration info, please go to http://www.robbenford.com/clinic.htm
Thanks for your interest!
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:22 am Post subject:
If you haven't yet been to one of Robben's Clinics, this is definitely the time to do it, especially if you can turn it into a Southern California vacation and catch Robben at one or more of his "local" appearances the following week, e.g., Wednesday night August 3rd in Santa Barbara, the 4th in Agoura Hills, the 5th down in San Juan Capistrano, or the following day up at Mammoth Lakes at the annual blues festival up there. The weather's great out here, surf's up, and the Dodgers are winning more games than they're losing. _________________ - BlueRunner
I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, but there is another clinic in Seattle on August 26th, that is being videoed by Roger Hutchinson (of REH videos) - I'm signed up, but can't find the email that I was forwarded with the contact info. But, it was announced through the Seattle Jazz Guitar Society, via Don Mock, who has this website: http://guitaraxis.com.
The class is limited to 25 participants, cost is $170. I received a confirmation phone message from Roger Hutchinson, but don't know how many spots are left. All participants will get a free copy of the finisihed DVD!
I had written Anne about whether or not the class was full, and she responded that she was not administering that class, so did not know. My impression is that the class is the same one as Robben gives in Ojai, but I live only 5 hours from Seattle, so this will be great for me!
If you are interested, try the guitaraxis.com website for contact. I will try to find the original email on my other computer, as well. They had an address listed with Guitar Axis, PO Box ? in Seattle, but I don't recall the rest..... first come, first served, with your check to hold your place.
I found it - this is from the email that was forwarded to me -
A note from Don Mock on the upcoming Robben Ford Clinic;
Many of you know that I have been friends with Robben Ford for many years. In the early 1980’s we gave promotional clinics together for GIT around the country and played in an acoustic guitar trio with Jamie Findlay. I also produced his three instructional videos for Warner Bros. Robben is simply one of the finest modern Blues guitar players in the world. Robben’s magical touch, expression and sheer musical know-how have made him one of the most loved and imitated players around. And living just below the surface of his killer blues chops is a strong background in jazz. This combination is what makes Robben’s musicality and phrasing so amazing.
For the past few years, he has been giving small intimate all-day clinics near his home in California. He called me recently with the idea to shoot one of these clinics for a DVD. It sounded like a great idea to me. We’ve never shot a live video of a seminar with students before and I’m really excited about being a part of it. We decided to hold the clinic here in Seattle in late August.
The plan is to hold one of Robben’s one-day clinics, just as he’s been conducting, but shoot it with a multiple camera crew. The DVD will be produced by Guitar Axis for Alfred Publishing (Warner Bros) Knowing how well Robben performs as a teacher and player, I know we’ll capture several hours of amazing playing and world class education. And we’re sure to get some fun spontaneous moments too. The students of the clinic share an important roll as well, asking questions, playing with Robben and just hanging out talking with him about his impressive career.
The film crew and cameras should be pretty non-intrusive to the clinic. In fact I hope Robben and the students forget all about the cameras and just let things unfold the way they want. Students of the clinic will be asked to sign a release so they can also be seen in the DVD as they interact with Robben. And of course each student will receive a free copy of the DVD when it’s completed.
So I hope you come join us and be a part of this unique experience with this amazing artist. Just this past week, Robben played here at Jazz Alley, and for those of you that saw him know he has never played better. He’s really enthusiastic about the clinic and I guarantee you will be glad you attended. Don’t miss it!
The Robben Ford Guitar Clinic
Seattle, Washington
Saturday August 26, 2006.
Location TBA
Below is from Robben’s web site: Robbenford.com
Robben Ford will present a master class on guitar and music theory for guitarists of all levels on Saturday, August 26. The class will focus on the basic building blocks of music theory, chord progressions, the use of voicings, listening and improvisation. There will be an emphasis on the importance of the blues in building a strong musical foundation, as well as the understanding and usage of advanced harmony to add dimension to simple music forms and chord progressions. The guitar will be featured, but beginning, mid-level and advanced students of any instrument would benefit from this class.
This special clinic will also be filmed as a new instructional DVD for Alfred Publishing (Warner Bros). All students will receive a free copy of the DVD when it is completed.
The class is limited to the first twenty-five people to register.
The first twenty five students to send their registration and payment will be admitted.
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:34 am Post subject:
Interesting. I'd like to see this video in hopes that it refreshes my memory of the clinic I attended almost a year and a half ago. Hopefully, the students will keep the guitar plinking while Robben's talking to an absolute minimum...
JohnnyZ - do you recommend taking a guitar? I don't really expect to relax enough to play my best with Robben for a few minutes, although it would be a great privilege. I would think it would be enough to sit and watch and listen, especially when it will all be available on DVD afterward. I know some people have been thrilled just to be able to play with RF, but apart from the acknowledgement, it seems like a lot, just to be able to get up there for a couple of minutes. Now, jamming for a couple of hours would be something else that I would really dig, but the pressure of showing up for a few minutes seems equal to Ted Mack's amateur hour, in my mind. What was your experience?
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 5:26 am Post subject:
yebdox: If the Guitar Axis clinic bears even the slightest resemblance to the regular Ojai Clinics, by all means bring a guitar. But be prepared to sit with it upside-down in your lap while you use its back as a desk and frantically write things down on a notepad. As for playing, Robben's big on audience participation, and will put you at ease if you work up the nerve to step forward (as will the other participants -- many of whom will breath a sigh of relief that he or she isn't the first one to go up front and plug in). Oh yes, and as JohnnyZ says, please please please take'a you hands off'a the strings and fretboard while Robben's speaking. He may give it a good shout when he sings, but when he talks he's pretty quiet, and you don't want to miss one word. _________________ - BlueRunner
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:14 am Post subject:
I agree- it's better to have a guitar. I can also see myself sitting there quietly and attentively without one. But, I'm also on the lower end of the talent scale, so when it came to playing some of the stuff that Robben just showed, I was lost and just watched others. I did enjoy being able to play, at the time, the simpler stuff...
Another neat benefit of having your guitar is that, if you ask nicely, Robben will autograph it for you!
Thanks, guys, good advice! Life is short, and I'm used to making a fool of myself (or at least, getting used to it!). I'm taking it .... and I'm not a plinker.... I have gone to great pains in my life to avoid the "plinker persona" in life, as well as music!
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If you haven't yet been to one of Robben's Clinics, this is definitely the time to do it, especially if you can turn it into a Southern California vacation and catch Robben at one or more of his "local" appearances the following week, e.g., Wednesday night August 3rd in Santa Barbara, the 4th in Agoura Hills, the 5th down in San Juan Capistrano, or the following day up at Mammoth Lakes at the annual blues festival up there. The weather's great out here, surf's up, and the Dodgers are winning more games than they're losing.
