Group photo from FredTap II, November 2009

Introduction

Welcome! You are invited to the second Fredericksburg Tap Guitar Workshops and Concert at Picker's Supply in historic downtown Fredericksburg Virginia, on November 14th and 15th, 2009. The event is organized by Rob Martino, and consists of a public concert Saturday evening in addition to a weekend of workshops for musicians.

This event focuses on the use of tapping techniques (as opposed to picking or strumming) as a fundamental way of music making on stringed instruments, whether it be guitar, bass, or specialty designs like the Chapman Stick and Warr Guitar. A primary source of inspiration is the Free Hands two-handed tapping method developed by Emmett Chapman, leading to the development of the Stick.

Fredericksburg is halfway between the Civil War capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C. and a straight shot down I-95 from Northeast cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York. Amtrak also has a station within walking distance of the Marriott hotel and Picker's Supply downtown. Fredericksburg is a historic and charming area with several shops, restaurants, museums, battlefields, and other sights to see.

Saturday and Sunday Workshops - Nov 14 and 15

For interested musicians, there will be two days of workshops (tentatively set for Saturday 10am - 5pm, with breaks, and Sunday 9am to 1pm). I'm thrilled to annouce the teaching lineup for FredTap '09:

• Steve Adelson (video)
• Greg Howard (video)
• Bill Burke (video)

These fellows aren't just three of the most accomplished tap musicians and teachers on the east cost of the U.S., but the entire planet! So it's a thrill to have them all here in Fredericksburg for the weekend. The instruction will be geared towards players of any guitar-based stringed instrument, from beginner to advanced.

The general format will be one teacher instructing most of the group for a block of time (about 2 hours), while the other teachers see individuals for shorter private lessons. Therefore each student should be able to come away from the weekend with a lot of new information applicable to their particlular skill level and goals.

The registration fee is $195 for the weekend event and includes admission to the Saturday evening concert. There will need be a minimum amount of students registered to secure the availability of all three teachers, so I recommend registering as early as possible.

Saturday Evening Concert - Nov. 14, 7:30pm

We will hold a public concert at Picker's Supply feauring Steve Adelson, Greg Howard, and Bill Burke, with appearances by couple other performers (such as Paul Walters and Rob Martino). This is sure to be an amazing musical event you won't forget, featuring some of the most talented tap musicians in the world. Admission will be $10.

Accomodations

There is a new Marriott in downtown Fredericksburg which is within walking distance to Picker's Supply (and other sights in town). Otherwise there are more budget options a short drive from downtown. For more B&B /Inn type accomodations in town, there is the Kenmore Inn and the Richard Johnston Inn.

Registration

To register for the event via PayPal (credit cards are accepted) simply click on the link below to pay the $195 registration fee.

If you prefer to send a check, or simply wish to indicate interest in attending so a spot can be held for you, please contact Rob Martino (info@robmartino.com).