Don stiernberg class @ harper college

**RB250** · Mar-02-2007, 4:43pm

Mando players in Chicago Area:

Based on the response to Don's recent Harper College, Hoffman Estates, IL, workshop, Harper College will have a class coming up w/Don.

$94 total

1 - 3 PM Saturdays, 2/24, 3/7, 3/21 & 3/28

Covers:
1. Exercise & Repertoire to develope fluid picking.
2. Fiddle tunes
3. Bluegrass
3. Swing & jazz
4. Improvisation
5. Chord progressions

I attended Don's recent workshop (great) and when Harper called me today to inform me. I signed up immmediately. Class limit is 30 people. Salmon fishing on Saturdays this season will have to wait until May (too cold anyhow then)!!
Harper's phone # is 847-925-6300. The Class # is LMU0413 Section 001.

**RB250** · Mar-02-2007, 4:50pm

Dates were wrong. Correct dates are 3/24, 4/7, 4/21 & 4/28.

RB 250

**Ted Eschliman** · Mar-02-2007, 5:04pm

Not that Don needs my endorsement, but every clinic I've been to of his is inspiring and informative. Don has a gift of not talking over your head, no matter what level you are. He's always able to grab what the group needs by casually surveying everybody early, assessing where he can go, and filling everyone's head with his wisdom and charm. It's an incredible gift.

If you're within driving distance and want to learn, don't miss this opportunity!

**jmcgann** · Mar-05-2007, 7:50am

This is an opportunity to work with a master mandolinist who happens to be a really nice guy as well- a great setting in which to learn!

And that is an incredible bargain price to boot!

**David in IL** · Mar-08-2007, 11:49am

Though I can't attend, I heartily recommend doing so. Don was my guitar teacher back sometime in the late 20th century, and I had the pleasure of seeing him play in some, well, let's say "small" venues. He's a fantastic player and a first-rate teacher. He'd probably get a chuckle out of my having taken up the mandolin.

[Hi, Don]

**ilarn89** · Mar-08-2007, 12:51pm

Okay, I'm not that far away from Chicago. But, when I see accolades by such recognized experts, I get gun shy. What level of competence is needed for this class?

**James P** · Mar-08-2007, 4:18pm

Are you saying that Don uses la Capo?

**om21ed** · Mar-09-2007, 11:39am

"when I see accolades by such recognized experts, I get gun shy. What level of competence is needed for this class?" ilarn89

I've gone to two of Don's workshops and taken lessons from him. Its a little embarassing but to tell the truth at the time of the first workshop one of the biggest problems I had was simply holding onto the pick. Don straightened that problem out for me. So as far as how low a level of competency can benefit from one of his workshops-- I probably set the bar for that. I am still a beginner level mandolinist and I just signed up. Don's presentation of the material does seem to cover various levels of expertise. But when I went to the first workshop I didn't know any scales or even what an arpeggio was. His arrangements of the standards in the chord/melody (Jethrovian)style are very accessible. He can play and teach Bluegrass as well as anybody. for the price you can't beat this opportunity
Ed McG:p

**glauber** · Mar-09-2007, 12:45pm

Agreed. I'm a beginner, and the only mandolin lessons i've had were from Don. I have material recorded from those lessons that i'll probably never finish learning my whole life, but amazingly, nothing was really over my head. Don is an excellent teacher, and $94 for 8 hours is a great price. At the very least, you'll get to meet a few local players and see a few interesting mandolins.

**Brad Weiss** · Mar-09-2007, 1:12pm

Why, oh why did I have to finish graduate school, get a job and LEAVE CHICAGO?!?! One more reason to miss it...

**mikeomando** · Mar-14-2007, 11:19am

Bump for what should be a great class. I signed up, and I'm hoping I can drag myself up to Hoffman Estates on time...

**mikeomando** · Mar-20-2007, 11:33am

I just heard from Harper College. If we don't get 6 more people to sign up for Don's class by tomorrow morning, they are going to cancel the class. I'm bummin'...

**om21ed** · Mar-21-2007, 11:31am

mikeomando
Rats. I signed up when I posted on 3/09 . Its reasonable they'd need a minimum number of people... I haven't heard of the cancellation from the school yet though, did you talk to Henrietta ?

**mikeomando** · Mar-21-2007, 11:40am

I called yesterday to find out what building the class would be held in. I'm not sure who I talked to. She said that they would probably contact everyone today (wed 3/21/2007) and tell them what was going on.

**Don Stiernberg** · Mar-21-2007, 12:44pm

I just spoke with the administrator and it looks like we're going ahead with the class even with a few less attendees than we had hoped for. So I look forward to seeing you all soon and being of some help to you mandolin-wise...

Thanks and if you know anyone else who would care to join us they'd need to register TODAY. Perhaps this can turn into something we can do every so often. The next one for me would probably be the fall term at Harper, since I'm gone a good chunk of the summer.

Thanks again and see you soon as we go looking for the good notes.