A great set of workshops to kick off a guitar-filled weekend this August.

by Teja Gerken

April 14, 2017

Returning to Santa Barbara, California this coming August 25 - 27, the Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration (SBAIC) will get started with a great set of hands-on guitar workshops by Richard Smith, Tim Sparks, and Kinloch Nelson on the Friday afternoon of the festival.

First up will be 2001 National Finger­style Guitar Champion and 2008 Thumbpicker of the Year, Richard Smith, whose workshop A Fingerstyle Guitar Overview will cover thumb independence, banjo rolls, cascading harmonics, and ear training. Richard is renowned for his mastery of the instrument and for his knock-out entertaining shows, frequently touring with his Hot Club of Nashville and Tommy Emmanuel (Richard is scheduled as a guest at Tommy’s benefit concert for SBAIC on July 22).

Next up will be 1993 National Finger­style Guitar Champion Tim Sparks, who is presenting Fingerstyle Blues Workshop. Sparks will cover two classic songs associated with Eric Clapton: “If I Could Save the World,” and Freddie King’s “Hideaway.” In his workshop, Tim will break the pieces down and teach several cool riffs and chord phrases used to play these great songs. Tim surprises, challenges, and thrills audiences with his diverse repertoire and stunning technique—be sure to catch him dueling it out with Richard Smith on Thursday night at SOhO.

Kinloch Nelson will finish off the afternoon with Mapping the Fingerboard, a workshop designed to get you thinking about how to get around the fretboard. A composer, author, teacher and recording artist, Kinloch's extensive performance career has run the gamut from solo classical recitals and folk concerts, to club and festival dates playing country, jazz, rock, rockabilly, and R & B.  Kinloch is also part of the Thursday evening SBAIC opening concert, where he will join Michael Chapdelaine and Sean McGowan at the SOhO Guitar Summit.

In addition to these hand-on players’ workshops, be sure to check out the free seminars in the SBAIC’s Heritage Exhibit. Paul Heumiller, the owner of Dream Guitars, will help you become an informed customer with his Guitar Buyer Seminar, which includes a slide show of the many ergonomic, aesthetic and construction in custom lutherie. Then sit in on The Luthier Roundtable for an informal discussion with icons of lutherie including Fred Carlson, Harry Fleishman, Charles Fox, Richard Hoover, Steve Klein, Jean Larrivée, and Ervin Somogyi. Stop by to ask the questions you always wanted answered.

Located at the beachside Fess Parker hotel in Santa Barbara, California, SBAIC '17 will feature the finest contemporary acoustic instruments, workshops, seminars and music. Share Your Passion with old and new friends for a fun, relaxing and inspiring weekend. sbaic.com

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