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IGS - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an average day like?
- Can I record classes?
- What are the accomodations like?
- Do I have to know how to read music?
- How big are the classes?
- Do I have to sign up for a class before I arrive?
- Can you recommend some CDs for listening?
- Where can I buy books, CDs, and videos by IGS staff?
- Will my guitar be safe from theft when I go to meals, events, etc.?
- Do I have to perform at the student concert?
- Will there be any material available for study before arrival?
- I'm a beginner and I'm worried that even the "Toolbox" basics classes will be too difficult for me. How can I know if I'm good enough to attend?
- Can I bring my family or spouse?
- What is the minimum age requirement?
- What will I gain from attending these workshops?
- How can I get in touch with students who've already attended a seminar?
- Are vegetarian meals available?
- Is there parking at the Columbia University campus?
- What kind of guitar should I bring?
- Do you have any advice for carrying a guitar on an airplane?
- Is there internet access at both universities?
- Will I be treated differently if I'm not a very good guitarist?
- Can you recommend a hotel for me to stay at before or after the seminar?
- Can I recommend that a certain topic be taught at a workshop?
What is an average day like?
7:30-9am -- Breakfast
9:00-10:30am -- Morning class
12noon-1:00pm -- Lunch
1:30-3:00pm -- Afternoon class
4:00-5:00pm -- Informal Workshops by faculty and students
5:30-7:00pm -- Dinner
8:00-10 or 11pm -- evening event (i.e. -- faculty concert, student concert, deconstructed
jam)
10 or 11pm until you pass out -- jamming
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Can I tape classes?
Yes. We recommend that all students bring a tape or minidisc recorder with batteries and media. We will have a cassette dubbing machine available so students can make dubs of classes they weren't able to attend.
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What are the accomodations like?
At both Columbia University and Seattle University all students get their own private room. Towels and bedding are supplied with room. The rooms are comfortable and clean.
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Do I have to know how to read music?
No. The best way to learn blues is by ear. That's why we recommend bringing a tape or minidisc recorder. Although reading music can sometimes be helpful, learning the music by ear will give you a much better feel for the music and will make a much longer lasting impression on your memory.
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How big are the classes?
Class are typically from 5 to 15 people. If one class is significantly larger than the others an 'instigator' will work with the beginning students so that they don't get left behind and so the more advanced students receive appropriate instruction to their level.
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Do I have to sign up for classes before I arrive?
No. You can choose your classes after you see the demonstrations on the first night. You are in no danger of being closed out of a class since we don't limit class size. (see above)
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Can you recommend some CDs to help me get familiar with traditional blues music?
Woody Mann has put together a compilation box set titled The Essential Country Blues Guitar Collection which is available at Avalon Guitar. (Avalon Guitar is owned and operated by IGS's Production Coordinator, Trevor Laurence.) At Avalon Guitar you'll also find an Acoustic Blues section where you can find many important blues CDs.
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Where can I buy books, CDs, and videos by IGS staff?
Avalon Guitar carries many products by the IGS staff. In addition you can visit several staff homepages including www.bobbrozman.com, www.woodymann.com, www.martinsimpson.com, and www.maryflower.com . See our links page for other interesting guitar sites.
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Will my guitar be safe when I go to meals, events, etc.?
We will have a room set aside where students can lock up instruments. Only staff will have keys to this room. All dorm rooms also have locks.
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Do I have to perform at the student concert?
No. Most students do perform but it's optional.
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Will there be any material available for study before arrival?
Yes, we'll be sending out an "IGS - I Get Started" packet which will include music that will be helpful not only to those just getting started in the style but also to those who would like to have a few tunes in common with other students so they can jump right into a jam session upon arrival.
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I'm a beginner and I'm worried that even the "Toolbox" basics classes will be too advanced for me. How can I know if I'm good enough to attend?
The seminars are recommended for students of all levels. If you can play basic chords and are just getting started in blues then you'll be fine. Here is the description of the minimum requirement from our brochure request page:
Level 1: Can change chords without pausing on at least 3 or 4 chords. Can play an F chord with difficulty. Able to keep rhythm steady as long as the song is familiar.
A little finger-picking experienced is recommended -- maybe a few Mississippi John Hurt tunes or
the equivalent.
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Can I bring my family or spouse?
Generally we recommend that your family or spouse stay in a nearby hotel. However, if you really want them to stay with you, contact us and we'll see if we can arrange something with the university.
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What is the minimum age requirement?
Unaccompanied by a parent or guardian, the minimun age is 16. Younger children are welcome if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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What will I gain from attending these workshops?
The goal of these workshops is not so much to provide you with repertoire but to give you concepts and techniques that will improve every piece of music you play. It is our aim to provide you with the tools necessary to teach yourself and to help you to develop your own sound and musical identity. Alumni have also commented that our workshops have gotten them out of ruts, given them a fresh perspective, and renewed their inspiration to play their music.
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How can I get in touch with students who've already attended a seminar?
Visit the Guitar Forum.
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Are vegetarian meals available?
Yes. All venues offer vegetarian menus.
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Is there parking at the Columbia University campus?
No. We recommend taking public transportation to get to Columbia University. However, if you would like to drive there are parking lots in the area that charge about $14 /day. But make plans with us to drop off your guitars and bags before you park your car. Further details will be listed here soon.
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What kind of guitar should I bring?
Any kind of acoustic guitar is fine. Some people bring Nationals, some bring wood guitars, some bring both. If you play other acoustic instruments please feel free to bring them along too.
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Do you have any advice for carrying a guitar on a plane?
Here's Bob Brozman's advice for flying with an instrument:
Getting a guitar on board is tricky. You should not bother trying with a hard case, 99% failure rate. However, with a gig bag, it is usually ok. Explain that it will fit in the overhead bin (you "do it all the time") (DREADNOUGHTS EXCEPTED!!) If not, it will fit in the closet, or in my favorite secret location -- the floor space behind the very last row of seats! You could fit 3 guitars there. Be polite, but firm, don't whine about the value of the precious thing, they don't care, and will get hostile. You have to get past the boarding pass taker, that is who you have to persuade -- after you enter the jetway, the "jurisdiction" passes to the plane staff. To be really sure, ship your hard case (full of clothes) in baggage, and carry your instrument on board in a clear plastic bag. Still with my gig bag, here's how it breaks down during a typical year of 50 flights: 80% of the time no questions, no problems, 10% I must persuade them, 5 % I must fight them, twice in my life I was forced to gate check it, and frantically looked for newspapers to stuff into the gig bag for padding. So far so good!
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Is internet access available ?
At Columbia the phone lines in the dorm rooms have strange dial tones that don't recognize modems. However, there are a few public computers on campus that you can use to check your email if you have web based email. One solution is to sign up for web based email, such as www.hotmail.com, before you arrive and have your email forwarded to that account while you are away. Otherwise there is a "Kinko's" store just a few blocks from the university that offers internet access for a nominal charge.
At Seattle University you may access the internet from your room using Ethernet cables which are available from the university.
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Will I be treated differently if I'm not a very good guitarist?
Yes. We have special IGS hockey helmets which we make lousy students wear. Only kidding! At IGS everybody gets equal treatment. Students who need extra help outside of class need only ask a teacher or instigator.
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Can you recommend a hotel for me to stay at before or after the seminar?
There are many nice hotels not far from Columbia U. in Manhattan. We recommend checking with hotel booking sites such as www.hotels.com or www.expedia.com.
A few that we've received positive feedback from students on are:
The Lucerne Hotel (www.thelucernehotel.com)
201 West 79th Street.
New York, NY 10024
Tel 800.492.8122 or 212.875.1000
reservations@thelucernehotel.com
Park Central (near Carnegie Hall).
Prices start at $135. - 870 7th Ave at 56th St.
Tel (01) 212-247-8000
This hotel is located downtown (a long taxi
ride to Columbia University) but is a good value at $80 & up per night.
The Larchmont - 27 W. 11th St. Tel (01) 212-989-9333
http://www.larchmonthotel.com/
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Can I recommend that a certain topic be taught at a workshop?
Yes, there are no limits to topics that can be taught at afternoon workshops. Students are also welcome to teach workshops of there own expertise.
