What really suited my learning style was the way he switched between showing us a technical or musical idea and then teaching an arrangement that illustrates how to use it. It was a great antidote to all those dry scale/chord/theory books and the books full of tab with no helpful analysis.

I also enjoyed Mike's arrangements and seeing some of what were to me unusual and effective approaches he employs,. For example, he uses the slide on his ring finger and he showed us a nice ragtime tune in the key of G in Open D which involves simple moves from barres at the 5th, 7th and 2nd frets. This was an interesting constrast to the way Martin Simpson and John Renbourn use Open Tunings to free themselves of the full barre.

Mike and Jan are heading north and will be bouncing around Washington and Oregon starting tomorrow for those who might be able to take a class or catch a concert. Not to be missed!
http://www.mikedowling.com and click on Schedule.