Going to Rob Ickes workshop...any tips?

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Next week in Pasadena. 3 hours and it calls for all skill levels. I hadn't been playing my dobro much in the past year or two because I was playing my Weissenborns. I've become more comfortable playing in Open D and need to reacquaint myself with Open G.

If you can imagine yourself in my shoes, what would you work on to get yourself up to a speed so the workshop doesn't overwhelm? I know this can mean a lot of things to different folks. But if there are people who've done this and wished they'd had a game plan prior, what comes to mind? I'm sure the quick answer is just have fun and don't worry too much. I will, of course. Rob said to come with questions. My first one would be "how come I'm not getting any good yet?" Mr. Green

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Feb 2017 3:04 am

I have been to several of these over the years, and based on where you are at right now there probably isn't a whole lot you can do in terms of getting you fully back up to speed on G dobro in such a short period of time, but I think reviewing and running through your major scales and minor blues scales would be a good start along with working on your right hand rolls.

The main thing is to prepare yourself with any questions you might have.

If you would like to learn to play slants in a modern context ask Rob about that. He doesn't use them all the time, but he has become a master at forward and reverse slants.

Rob generally emphasizes working on technique in these things rather trying to teach hot licks or songs. Playing clean, observing your picking hand position and helping you focus on it - that sort of thing.

There is only so much that can be accomplished in an afternoon workshop with several players. And a big thing for you is to really watch what he is doing when he demonstrates something and try to commit it to memory.

Relax and enjoy it. Rob is a great guy - and think about this: because the dobro isn't exactly a mainstream instrument, it's pretty cool that you get to take a workshop from a guy who if it were say electric guitar, it might be the equivalent of learning some things from a Clapton or a Knopfler!

And I hope you are attending the concert as well. Rob and Trey are great together, and Trey is a like a force of nature! I managed to see three of their shows in 2016.
_________________
Mark

Dave Plewa · From: The Jersey Shore, USA

Agreed Mark, Ive been to four of the resosummits in Nashville and its like a B-12 shot to get you motivated. One thing you can do is make notes while your there and carve out hours of each day after you get back to go over all the headspinning information you will be subject to..
Have a great time!! Rob is the best..

Word of caution, Rob makes certain things look so easy.. I think it's the size of his hands Wink

Frank Freniere · From: The First Coast

Totally envious ...

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

That's a lot of good information, Mark and Dave. Thanks so much. Scales are certainly something I need to brush up on and I was working on rolls a bit last night. Slants are something that I've never really focused on much, so that could be something worthwhile to ask about while I'm there.

I haven't decided on the concert yet, although my wife gave me the green light. Perhaps I'll see if tickets are still available.

Frank Freniere · From: The First Coast

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Ha!

Here are the new Steve Vai guitars that were on display last month at NAMM.

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Feb 2017 10:09 am

Hey Jeff, you need to go to the concert. Even if they are theoretically sold out I have a feeling that Rob might be able to get you in since you're a workshop attendee (but don't hold me to that).

I don't know if you ever got to see Rob play with Blue Highway, or with Jim Hurst as a duo prior to hooking up with Trey Hensley, but the things you might pick up from being in the workshop are put into action in the evening. And in a duo situation you get to see more of it as opposed to a five piece group. You could be back in high school as quarterback of your football team and attending a clinic with Tom Brady showing his passing technique and footwork, but you don't really "get it" until you see him use the techniques in an actual game. Maybe I should use the example of Matt Ryan instead - go Falcons! Wink

The other thing is that it's not bluegrass only with Rob and Trey, they're all over the map. They will play some bluegrass and country classics (Trey and Rob both practically worship Haggard) and along with that songs like the Dead's Friend of the Devil, Stevie Ray Vaughan's Pride & Joy, and Elton John's Ballad of a Well-Known Gun.

I mentioned Knopfler in my earlier post. He is pretty much my favorite living electric guitar player. Several years ago when Rob was touring with Jim Hurst because it was the off season for bluegrass festivals, my older brother who is an even bigger Knopfler fan than I saw Rob and Jim a few hours south of me near Santa Cruz. He tells me on the phone that week they played the Dire Straits ballad Why Worry. I was excited to hear that and in the workshop the following weekend I asked Rob if he would play the song during the concert and he said "sure." I had also asked about his take on slants since I couldn't get into his "slant class" one year at Reso Summit in Nashville as it was already full. His version of the song uses a lot of slants, so he demonstrated those during the workshop and I could see them come to life in a performance context later that evening. Check out the video below of Why Worry from one of Rob's tours with Jim Hurst (a phenomenal guitarist).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=plBH1QA2xYE
_________________
Mark

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Feb 2017 10:15 am

Just saw the Steve Vai guitars post which was submitted while I was writing my last one - I'll bet if you asked Trey Hensley to play some Steve Vai stuff he could likely nail it - he can play pretty much anything!

Though I'm not real sure about those color combos. Whoa!

_________________
Mark

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Okay okay, I'll go to the show...

Thanks again for the input, Mark. I was able to reserve a seat and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll check out the link later, thanks for that.

Those Steve Vai guitars were hanging there just begging people to look at them. They're quite bright. I wasn't the only one snapping a pic.

Dan Mahoney · From: North Carolina, USA

Jeff, it may be mentioned in the workshop info, but be sure to bring a digital recorder and extra batteries. Rob will cover so much that you won't be able to absorb it all. Recording it will take the pressure off you to remember everything, and you'll have a great resource for practice.

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Jeff, let us know how it goes. Rob is putting on a workshop up here at the Wintergrass Festival in a few weeks. I was thinking of signing up. I can't think of specific questions for him, I was more hoping some of his technique and approach would rub off!

He's up to perform with Trey Hensley at the Festival.

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Mark Eaton · Posted 4 Feb 2017 11:42 am

Philip Garcia · From: California, USA

Hi Jeff,

I'm in L.A. and I'll be going to the workshop and the concert too. I'll bring my zoom recorder as well. Excited I got a friend now
_________________
1952 Fender Custom / Princeton '65 / National Tricone / Strymon pedals / Logic X /

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

Ask him about nearly getting trampled by a moose (we're talking inches) while fly fishing in Utah.
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.

Philip Garcia · From: California, USA

Thanks Brooks. Wow, that's a good topic.
_________________
1952 Fender Custom / Princeton '65 / National Tricone / Strymon pedals / Logic X /

Mark Eaton · Posted 7 Feb 2017 5:03 pm

I hear you guys have 12 participants in the workshop. That's a pretty big crowd for these deals.

No noodling while the maestro is speaking! Wink

_________________
Mark

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Jeff Bell · From: California, USA

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Thanks for taking the time to check in Jeff.

I will definitely sign up for his workshop here in a couple weeks. Homework, yeah!

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Went to the Rob Ickes class up here last Thursday. I've never seen an instructor so sincere in wanting every last participant get something out of it. And be so kind and gracious, even to the occasional goofy question or participant.

There where 14 or 15 of us. He went around the room and asked each person to introduce themselves and then let him know what they wanted him to cover. He wrote down each persons request on a yellow note pad. There were a handful of common requests, and a few off the beaten path. He made it a point in the 3 hours to refer to the pad and cover every single one. He didn't move to the next until he was certain all questions were covered.

There were several hands on portions where he went around the room and looked and adjusted players right or left hand technique, depending on the exercise.

In short, he gave us a handout which as he noted, was not "just" a handout. I like to think of it as a toolbox to learn to use. He had several points that were the kind of thing where one goes "yeah, of course! Why didn't I think of that!" Great value and great lesson.

Needless to say he's a super tasteful clean pickin' monster!

John French · From: Louisiana, USA

I have been several times. You will have a blast.
Most of the workshops are wonderful. Be sure and record them. If Stacy Phillips is there, his class on slants is a must. It opens up a whole new way of playing. Mike Witcher is a must for learning the fretboard. Orville Johnson is a must if you are interested in playing the blues. Robs class is also a good class. He shows you how he plays his rhythm chops. Other than these, just pick the class that you want an go for it. You will have a wonderful time.

jf

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic