The FHA has completed outlining the offerings and timelines for the classes available at the Free Hands Academy for 2014. Please visit the Free Hands Academy Schedule of Events page to view the complete listing of courses being offered by Steve Adelson, Emmett Chapman, Bob Culbertson, Gary Jibilian, Greg Howard, Dale Ladouceur, Gene Perry and Don Schiff.

We have also confirmed that Larry Tuttle will be our guest Stickist for Thursday, August 14! Larry's deep catalog of playing with Novi Novog and the Freeway Philharmonic cover a wide variety of styles and skills. Larry was recently announced as the winner of the Pittsburgh Symphony's 2014 H. J. Heinz Company Audience of the Future Composition Competition. Everyone in attendance will get a great opportunity to meet with this master composer and Stickist!

In addition to Larry, our special guests will include Kevin Keith and Alphonso Johnson. Each day, we will feature a 75 minute session with each of these monster players, highlighting their contributions to the Stick community, their current projects and what they have in the works.

If you have any questions regarding your registration, please do not hesitate to contact us admissions@freehandsacademy.com. If you have any questions regarding the program or how to sign up, write to us at info@freehandsacademy.com. There's only 17 days left to cash in on the early bird discount for this year's event and we are still adding special guests! We hope you can join us for what is shaping up to be the event of a lifetime.

Damn! I am so excited and revved up about this already…. Going to be such a great hang!!
All the great teachers… Steve A, Greg, Bob, Keith, Don etc…. can it get much better?? Wait and see!!!!

Will these workshops be taped? For the rest of us who can't make it out there, it would be great if we could have access to this treasure chest of stick knowledge as well. I for one would be happy to pay for viewing certain workshops, either live or pre recorded. I'm probably not alone in this. If there is a way please let it be so.

Gene - How about converting this to a PDF so it's easily viewable?

I'm grateful that classes will be repeated so that I can attend many of them.
I can't believe it's only 2 months away!

So very excited to hear and learn from so many masterful players. Thanks Gene for organizing such a lineup. Cant wait!

Harry

Here is the text from the updated Course outline for the Free Hands Academy offering. In so long as you are on campus prior to 1pm PST on Wednesday, August 13, you will be able to attend each and every class.

$100 discount offer ends in 13 days on June 30 - we hope you can join us.

Free Hands Academy Course Outline

1. Steve Adelson
Walk the Walk: Walking bass lines exposed!
Ready to kick up your left hand skills a notch? Level up your low end with 60 minutes of hands on instruction in tapping out fluid, meaningful bass lines.

Chord Shapes: The shape of chords to come
Steve will illustrate how to invert, arrange and compose logical chord shapes in both the left and right hand for the Chapman Stick. Shape up your fretboard theory with a deeper understanding of smooth transitions between chord shapes!

2. Emmett Chapman
Improv beyond all genres
Using it all, all your experience, all studies and travels, to explore universal elements of music, the physics of harmony, as applied to the Stick fretboard. Transcending all "badges" of cultural identification to reveal your inner musical language and personal style.

An Introduction to basic Chapman Stick / NS Stick setup and configuration
An essential class for all students! Emmett Chapman and Gary Jibilian of Stick Enterprises will lead this class. This class will emphasize the importance of maintaining The Stick in optimum playing condition – a skill that will bring "good fortune" to the player!

3. Bob Culbertson
Arranging for the Stick, classically speaking
In this class, Bob will identify techniques for arranging for the Chapman Stick. There will some emphasis on arranging popular music, but more specifically for classical pieces for all levels of experience and familiarity.

The new frontier of Stick technique
This class will highlight some of the techniques that Bob uses to get fresh new sounds from the Chapman Stick. Topics will include: how to use your thumbs effectively, harmonics, crossing over the fretboard and using a capo with the Stick.

4. Greg Howard
Effects processing as an orchestral tool.
How to take advantage of The Sticks stereo output and overlapping string sets to build complex orchestrations, and strategies for using them in composed and improved performance. Tap into your own high-sped idea conduit!

The left hand as a complete rhythm section
This class will focus on how to build complete accompaniment parts for the left hand by mixing chords and bass lines in one fluid groove machine, leaving the right hand free for melodies and solos.

5. Gary Jibilian
Performing with the NS Chapman Stick
Stick Enterprises very own Gary Jibilian will walk through NS players on how to perform with confidence on the NS Stick. Whether you are laying out a foundation as part of quartet or playing as a soloist, you will be prepared for any live performance.

The art of looping with the Chapman Stick
Gary and Don will co-lead a class on the art of looping using the Chapman Stick or NS Stick. Live techniques, specific gear and configuration will all be part of the discussion!

6. Dale Ladouceur
Discovering the elements of Performance
What are the elements of a strong performance and what are your strengths and/or
weaknesses as a performer? Discover how to unlock the mechanics of a stronger performance and magnify your performance strengths!

Loving and luring your Music
How satisfied are you as a composer/songwriter? In this workshop we look at your
process, your strengths and any physical or mental obstacles that may be in your way
of finding a stronger voice.

7. Gene Perry
Time management: The pathway to performance
This class breaks down how to effectively use time when learning how to play the Chapman Stick. Gene will discuss how to set realistic short term goals, the one-year plan and managing the arc of one’s Stick evolution.

8. Don Schiff
Unlocking the potential of the NS Stick
This course will explore varies techniques in which the NS is played. Techniques will include, Two handed tapping, plucking bass and guitar style, pick, slide and combinations of the multiple techniques.

Creative Bass lines on the NS Stick (and Chapman Stick)
A study in building bass lines beneath melodies, establishing grooves under chords, and the creative process of bringing an arrangement to life with NS Stick in the role of traditional bass.

Special guest
Thursday - Larry Tuttle
Friday - Kevin Keith
Saturday - Alphonso Johnson
Sunday - TBA

In an amazing alignment of the planets, i'm having TBA for dinner tmw.

Looks fantastic!

I like it that the schedule says Club NS for the NS oriented classes!

Come and join Club NS!