View Full Version : Barry mitterhoff/ben winship
adgefan
Dec-05-2006, 9:27am
Has anybody here ever taken lessons from Barry Mitterhoff or Ben Winship? If so, what kind of things did they teach and how did they approach the lessons? I have to choose between them for a camp next year, so any info would be welcome. Thanks!
Jonathan Peck
Dec-05-2006, 9:58am
My first lesson was with Barry this summer. He really got me started on the right foot. I wish I could add more, but we haven't been able to get together since then. Which camp are you going to?
-jonathan
Mandomax
Dec-05-2006, 10:04am
Barry is a great teacher. He comes thoroughly prepared with multiple handouts and really knows his stuff. I took a workshop with him at AMGuSS. Genuinely nice guy as well. I haven't studied with Ben so I don't have any input on his teaching style, but he is a fine picker. Sounds like fun!
Best,
Max
mandopete
Dec-05-2006, 10:48am
What camp?
adgefan
Dec-05-2006, 12:32pm
What camp?
Sore Fingers (http://www.sorefingers.co.uk)
Got to take some workshops from Barry this past summer. It seemed he had the ability to pinpoint where each of us needed to improve, and what we needed to work on. Like the others said, a genuinely nice guy, too.
Avi Ziv
Dec-05-2006, 5:03pm
I studied with Barry for a few months. He started me from ground 0 and I value every chance I had to meet with him. He is an excellent teacher - patient, encouraging and confident. He is very eclectic and can teach various styles of music. Of course his playing ability is always inspiring. I would highly recommend him as a teacher. Plus he is a super nice guy.
Avi
I studied with Barry privately for about five years ... guess I'm a slow learner. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif That notwithstanding, I can assure you that he is a GREAT teacher. He can help you fine tune your technique, help you understand the nuances of just about any musical genre under the sun, present theory in way that makes practical sense ... etc, etc, etc. Spend an hour with Barry and your playing will absolutely benefit from it!
Salty Dog
Dec-05-2006, 11:05pm
When you folks see Barry, please ask him when (if ever) the Bottle Hill records are going to be re-released on CD. #Bottle Hill was a band he played for in the early 70's and he did a killer version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on one of them.
Salty Dog ... You should check out Barry's solo record (cd) "Silk City". There is an entire medley of tunes from the Wizard of Oz on there that is classic! You're right too ... I have both of the Bottle Hill records on vinyl and they were great. I would happily buy them again if they were re-released on CD.
Yes, Silk City is a good recording. The title track is a classic.
I recorded once with Barry. He heard my solo, came up with a hip harmony line in no time and we recorded it live, just like that.
Quote: WJF "I studied with Barry privately for about five years"
..And how long ago was that? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I'm now 43 and started with Barry about 8 years ago. I still see him about once a month when he's not touring with Jorma. He's a great teacher, picker, and really nice guy. He is one of the most versitile pickers around so you just have to let him know what you want to learn. He's very encouraging and you will not loose interest in the mando.
scgc.om
Dec-06-2006, 10:39am
I took a week-long class with Ben a few summers ago. I remember him being well organized - first day he gave us a thick booklet of handouts which we worked through over the week. The stuff we covered was all good. We did a lot of playing and he accommodated all class members, despite class being kinda large. I really liked the fact that he "picked with the plebs" after hours till well into the night.
Is he coming as a solo player or part of a group? I recall him being a wicked player! Also, his Heiden sounded GREAT!
Quote: WJF "I studied with Barry privately for about five years"
..And how long ago was that? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Wise guy!!!
I think I started taking lessons with Barry back in 1976 I I guess I can count him as being friend and mentor for 30 years ... which I believe (blood relatives aside) is my longest lasting relationship with anyone, anywhere. ... Guess those mandolin bonds are powerful indeed!
BTW, my endorsement of Barry in this thread is in no way a knock on Ben. I've never met or studied with Ben but he's monster player and I'd imagine would be able to share some pretty cool stuff!
Salty Dog
Dec-07-2006, 12:18am
I bought "Silk City" shortly after it was released and enjoyed it but he was in a different musical mode than when he was with "Bottle Hill". #I repeat the question - are either of those "Bottle Hill" LPs available on CD?
bush-man
Dec-07-2006, 12:33am
Harold's super service. Wasn't that on one of the bottle hill albums?