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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • BIO
    • HISTORY
    • AWARDS
  • MUSIC
    • MUSIC CREDITS
    • NEWS
    • Videos
  • CONTACT
  • BANJO WORKSHOPS
    • Free Banjo Videos Section - Scroll Down
    • Banjo Week 1
    • Banjo Week 2
    • Banjo Week 3
    • Banjo Week 4
    • Banjo Lesson: "Foggy Mountain Special" from Earl Scruggs Tribute
    • Banjo Lesson: Man of Constant Sorrow from O Brother Soundtrack
    • Banjo Lesson: Bending Strings in Bluegrass
    • Developing New Licks and Ideas Banjo Workshop
  • Lessons
  • STORE
  • GUITAR WORKSHOP
    • Session I
    • Session II
    • SESSION III
    • SESSION IV
  • TOUR

July U.K. Tour: Damien O'Kane & Ron Block: Banjophonics 

03/25/2022

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Ron Block Online Guitar Workshop 

HELLO GUITARISTS!

I've got an Online Guitar Workshop (click here!) available now!

LEVEL: Intermediate to advanced

OBJECTIVE: To help guitarists see new ways to move forward - to give you the tools and ideas that I've used to create my style of playing with Alison Krauss & Union Station so that you can take those tools and more fully develop your own styles of playing. Order link is here: Guitar Workshop

TOPICS: Roots and Inflluences - George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, and Clarence White to blues and country players. We'll move on into some of my solos with Alison throughout the course, but at the front end we'll look into some of the players that helped create the guitar style I use with AKUS, and how I change my playing for other situations. 

The Psychology of Playing Well (this is incredibly important) 

Right and Left Hand Technique 

Tone - Timing - Taste 

Rhythm Playing 

How I Learned and Continue to Learn the Neck 

Make Solos More Moving with Expression 

Make Solos More Engaging with Intervals ("doublestops") 

Playing the Melody: The Many Ways to Vary a Solo. 

Crosspicking 

And I'll add more before the starting date. 

Plus these freebies and more: Downloads of A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals; my Hogan's House of Music bluegrass instrumental record (I took quite a few guitar breaks on it); a pdf of my Traditional Guitar Workbook with my personal tabs of George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, Bill Napier, Don Reno, Clarence White, and Junior Blankenship. These freebies alone are worth about $47. 

The Workshop will be held on these days at 7pm Central in 2020: Nov 12, 19, 27, Dec 3. (Nov 26 is Thanksgiving, so that day will be done on Friday, Nov 27). 

When signing up, you'll get a download link for Hogan's House of Music. I'll be putting all email addresses into a file, and in the next week or so when I get everything into Dropbox I'll be sending out the Zoom link, passwords I'll use for the videos, and the Dropbox link with the outlines, tabs, and freebies. 

I'm looking forward to it!

(Photo by Russ Carson)
 

11/07/2020

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Listener Reviews of A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals 

12/05/2019

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Donne's Passage - from A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals 

During the Alison Krauss Windy City tour in 2018, Alison suggested I record an album of peaceful, meditative guitar pieces. I took her suggestion to heart. Order the cd or download here.

Usually in the mornings I spend some time in reading and reflection. For this album I'd pull my guitar out after this peaceful, reflective time. A period of experimentation would lead into an idea for a melody, mostly simple and peaceful, which would then lead into an idea for an arrangement. The melodies are variously inspired by the morning sunlight on our fields in Tennessee, walks in the Yorkshire countryside, a river in Scotland behind Huntly Castle, writers George MacDonald, John Donne, and C.S. Lewis, melodies of Stephen Foster, and ballad books from the 1800s. 

By late morning I would be adding another guitar, or shruti (a simple, accordion-like instrument). The idea was to let everything flow into the music from that early morning feeling of peace, focusing on simplicity, tone, and nuance, with the intention that listeners would be able to take away some of that peace for themselves. 

Some stellar voices added background vocals. Suzanne Cox, Sierra Hull, Kate Rusby, Damien O'Kane, and my daughter, Erica Block, all added some lovely, ethereal parts to the mix. 

For vintage guitar aficionados: most of the recording was made using my 1938 Martin D28, used on the AKUS albums Lonely Runs Both Ways and Paper Airplane.

A Light So Fair will be released Nov 29th digitally. CDs will be shipped on Dec 3rd. You can listen to two whole tracks, "Hope Sings" and "The River Deveron," clips of the others, and preorder at the RonBlock.Com Store

11/24/2019

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A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals 

Some of you know I've been working for awhile on an album of peaceful, sparse instrumentals. Usually in the mornings I spend some time in reading and reflection.  For this album I'd pull my guitar out after this peaceful, reflective time each morning. A period of experimentation would lead into an idea for a melody, mostly simple and peaceful, which would then lead into an idea for an arrangement.

By late morning I would be adding another guitar, or shruti (a simple, accordion-like instrument). The idea was to let everything flow into the music from that early morning feeling of peace, focusing on simplicity, tone, and nuance, with the intention that listeners would be able to take away some of that peace for themselves.

Some stellar voices added background vocals. Suzanne Cox, Sierra Hull, Kate Rusby, Damien O'Kane, and my daughter, Erica Block, all added some lovely, ethereal parts to the mix. 

For vintage guitar aficionados: most of the recording was made using my 1938 Martin D28. 

A Light So Fair will be released Nov 29th digitally. CDs will be shipped on Dec 3rd. Listen to clips and preorder here: http://ronblock.com/album/1226294/a-light-so-fair-peaceful-guitar-instrumentals

11/18/2019

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Developing New Licks and Ideas Banjo Workshop
  • Developing New Licks and Ideas Banjo Workshop

Developing New Licks and Ideas Banjo Workshop

In cart Not available Out of stock
$42.50

Developing New Licks and Ideas is a bird's-eye-view of one of the ways I develop new ways of playing.

Hour 1: Learn "Gonna Have Myself a Ball" solo by Earl Scruggs. We use specific licks to explore the fingerboard.

Hour 2: Learn my solo from "On the Outside Looking In" from Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Use specific licks to

Developing New Licks and Ideas is a bird's-eye-view of one of the ways I develop new ways of playing.

Hour 1: Learn "Gonna Have Myself a Ball" solo by Earl Scruggs. We use specific licks to explore the fingerboard.

Hour 2: Learn my solo from "On the Outside Looking In" from Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Use specific licks to explore the fingerboard and make up variations.

Intermediate/advanced. When you order you'll get a download link for two pdf files - one with the tabs and one with instructions on accessing the Dropbox and videos.

Comments by students on Developing New Licks and Ideas:

"Fantastic session Ron! Thanks for doing it. Great stuff."

"Thanks Ron! The BEST!"

"This was a great session. Thanks!"

"Awesome!!"

"Thanks, very informative!"

"Truly amazing and eye opening for me!"

"Thank you. Awesome stuff!"

"Excellent, thank you!!"

"So good! Glad you invited us!"

"Thanks very much! Enjoyed it!"

"Thank you for sharing your thinking in such detail."

"Thanks Ron! Excellent perspectives."

"Looking forward to your next workshop!"

"Thank you Mr. Block! Great stuff!!! Looking forward to next time!"

The live workshop is over, but the first six parts are up. I'll be editing more video soon.

Read more…
Share
NEW! Ron Block Online Guitar Workshop
  • NEW! Ron Block Online Guitar Workshop

NEW! Ron Block Online Guitar Workshop

Includes a download of Hogan's House of Music - Download only
In cart Not available Out of stock
$159.00

This four-session workshop is up on RonBlock.com, along with two bonus lessons . I've shared the elements of guitar playing that have made my lead guitar solos and rhythm a mainstay of Alison Krauss & Union Station for 29 years. Intermediate to advanced.

Topics: Roots and Influences - Bill Napier, Larry Sparks, and Clarence White to piano, Bill

This four-session workshop is up on RonBlock.com, along with two bonus lessons . I've shared the elements of guitar playing that have made my lead guitar solos and rhythm a mainstay of Alison Krauss & Union Station for 29 years. Intermediate to advanced.

Topics: Roots and Influences - Bill Napier, Larry Sparks, and Clarence White to piano, Bill Monroe, and electric guitar players. We'll move on into some of my solos in a bonus lesson but at the front end we'll look into some of the players that helped create my style.

The Psychology of Playing Well (this is incredibly important)

Right and Left Hand Technique

Tone - Timing - Taste

Rhythm Playing

How I Learned and Continue to Learn the Neck

Make Solos More Moving with Expression

Make Solos More Engaging with Intervals ("doublestops")

Playing the Melody: The Many Ways to Vary a Solo.

Crosspicking

Plus many other topics!

With these freebies and more: Downloads Hogan's House of Music instrumental record (I took quite a few guitar breaks on it); a pdf of my Traditional Guitar Workbook with my personal tabs of George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, Bill Napier, Don Reno, Clarence White, and Junior Blankenship. These freebies alone are worth about $47.

When signing up, you'll get a download link for Hogan's House of Music, and a short time later you'll get an email with a Dropbox link and information for the rest of it - the email isn't automated and I do them myself.

Read more…
Share
Ron Block Online Banjo Workshop
  • Ron Block Online Banjo Workshop

Ron Block Online Banjo Workshop

Includes a download of Hogan's House of Music - Download only
In cart Not available Out of stock
$159.00

“Ron Block has not only become a world class banjo player in terms of technical proficiency, he has also accomplished what is often seen as the pinnacle of musical achievement, the development of a recognizable personal style. Since 1991, the sound of his driving open string rolls and emotive bends have been an integral part of the sound of Alison

“Ron Block has not only become a world class banjo player in terms of technical proficiency, he has also accomplished what is often seen as the pinnacle of musical achievement, the development of a recognizable personal style. Since 1991, the sound of his driving open string rolls and emotive bends have been an integral part of the sound of Alison Krauss and Union Station, a band that is both a mainstay of the bluegrass world and has done as much as any other group to put the sound of bluegrass in front of new audiences around the world.” (Banjo Newsletter, October 2016)

Greetings, fellow banjo pickers!

Have you had moments where you've wanted your playing to move along more quickly? Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to go to the next level?

I've struggled with all those things. At nearly every level, I've plateaued and thought, "Is this it? Am I stuck here?" Since the age of thirteen I've been obsessed with learning how to play the banjo well, because going to the next level is always such a thrill.

As a result I've had to develop some tried-and-true ways of doing things through experimentation and study. I've used these ideas for my 26 years with Alison Krauss & Union Station, for the O Brother soundtrack, and for everything else I've ever played on - and I'd love to share them with you.

Just got this in an email: “I’ve just got to say, this workshop has been so much more than I expected….The effort you’ve put into this and the ground you’ve covered will keep me busy for years….Again, thanks so much. I call that a bargain, the best I ever had!” David W.

TOPICS: Just a few of the things I've covered:

Releasing tension (the thing that puts a lid on our dexterity).

How I work on timing and feel.

Dynamics.

Tone.

Backup.

The trick to learning the neck well.

String bending, vibrato, and working it all into rolls.

Single-string playing.

Slow playing.

Clinch Mountain Backstep.

Mollie Catherine Carter.

Man of Constant Sorrow.

Learning from recordings.

How to practice effectively.

EXTRAS: By signing up for the workshop you'll receive free downloads of my banjo-oriented bluegrass record Hogan's House of Music, and a pdf of my long out-of-print The Traditional Banjo Workbook.

I look forward to seeing you there.

LESSONS WITH A PRO: 29 Years With Alison Krauss & Union Station, banjoist on the O Brother Soundtrack’s “Man of Constant Sorrow,” and on sessions with Dolly Parton, Kate Rusby, Dan Tyminski, Vince Gill, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and many more.

LEVEL: Broadly Intermediate - lots of material for not-so-beginners all through early advanced players.

SUBJECTS: Playing without tension, improving timing and feel, dynamics, tone, string bending, vibrato, scales, single-string playing, transcribing, and more.

BONUS MATERIALS: Each participant will receive a free download of Ron’s banjo-oriented bluegrass cd Hogan’s House of Music, and a free download of the long out-of-print Traditional Bluegrass Banjo Workbook – a total of $45 in free extras.

After ordering you'll receive a download for Hogan's House of Music, and a short time later you'll get an email with a Dropbox link and information for the rest of it - the email isn't automated and I do them myself.

WORKSHOP REVIEWS: "As a guy who's been participating in this clinic I promise you the value you'll receive is worth FAR more than the price. I've done banjo camps, clinics, and lessons with the best in the business. The wisdom Ron imparts is second to none. You WILL be a better player, and you'll enjoy every second. You'll have a hard time putting your banjo down after the first session, and you'll be thinking about it all day at work after the second. And it only gets better from there."

"Great class. Ron knows how to communicate; he 'teaches ideas' and is well prepared. No wasted time. The overall class experience is like having a one on one lesson with good friend."

Read more…
Share

Guitar & Banjo Workshops, Albums, Touring, and Lesson Updates!

Join the mailing list here for (very occasional) updates.

RON'S ONLINE 4-SESSION BANJO WORKSHOP
  • RON'S ONLINE 4-SESSION BANJO WORKSHOP

RON'S ONLINE 4-SESSION BANJO WORKSHOP

Includes a download of Hogan's House of Music - Download only
In cart Not available Out of stock
$159.00

"The content is all geared to us unlocking our own creativity while keeping the 'fun factor' high."

Greetings, fellow banjo pickers!

Have you had moments where you've wanted your playing to move along more quickly? Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to go to the next level?

I've struggled with all those things. At nearly every level,

"The content is all geared to us unlocking our own creativity while keeping the 'fun factor' high."

Greetings, fellow banjo pickers!

Have you had moments where you've wanted your playing to move along more quickly? Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to go to the next level?

I've struggled with all those things. At nearly every level, I've plateaued and thought, "Is this it? Am I stuck here?" Since the age of thirteen I've been obsessed with learning how to play the banjo well, because going to the next level is always such a thrill.

As a result I've had to develop some tried-and-true ways of doing things through experimentation and study. I've used these ideas for my 26 years with Alison Krauss & Union Station, for the O Brother soundtrack, and for everything else I've ever played on - and I'd love to share them with you in four sessions containing SIX hours of teaching and demonstration.

Just got this in an email: “I’ve just got to say, this workshop has been so much more than I expected….The effort you’ve put into this and the ground you’ve covered like a fog will keep me busy for years….Again, thanks so much. I call that a bargain, the best I ever had!” David W.

TOPICS: Just a few of the things I've covered:

Releasing tension (the thing that puts a lid on our dexterity).

How I work on timing and feel.

Dynamics.

Tone.

Backup.

The trick to learning the neck well.

String bending, vibrato, and working it all into rolls.

Single-string playing.

Slow playing.

Clinch Mountain Backstep.

Mollie Catherine Carter.

Learning from recordings.

How to practice effectively.

BONUS TEACHING VIDEOS: Clinch Mountain Backstep (breaks 1 and 2 from Hogan's House of Music), Man of Constant Sorrow (from O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack), Foggy Mountain Special (break 2 from Earl Scruggs tribute record), Will You Be Loving Another Man by Earl Scruggs

Oh, I almost forgot the extras. By signing up for the workshop you'll receive a free download of my banjo-oriented bluegrass record Hogan's House of Music and a pdf of my long out-of-print The Traditional Banjo Workbook.

I look forward to seeing you there.

LESSONS WITH A PRO: 26 Years With Alison Krauss & Union Station, banjoist on the O Brother Soundtrack’s “Man of Constant Sorrow,” and on sessions with Dolly Parton, Kate Rusby, Dan Tyminski, Vince Gill, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and many more.

LEVEL: Broadly Intermediate - lots of material for not-so-beginners all through early advanced players.

SUBJECTS: Playing without tension, improving timing and feel, dynamics, tone, string bending, vibrato, scales, single-string playing, transcribing, and more.

BONUS MATERIALS: Each participant will receive a free download of Ron’s banjo-oriented bluegrass cd Hogan’s House of Music, and a free download of the long out-of-print Traditional Bluegrass Banjo Workbook – a total of $45 in free extras.

WORKSHOP REVIEWS: "As a guy who's been participating in this clinic I promise you the value you'll receive is worth FAR more than the price. I've done banjo camps, clinics, and lessons with the best in the business. The wisdom Ron imparts is second to none. You WILL be a better player, and you'll enjoy every second. You'll have a hard time putting your banjo down after the first session, and you'll be thinking about it all day at work after the second. And it only gets better from there."

"Great class. Ron knows how to communicate; he 'teaches ideas' and is well prepared. No wasted time. The overall class experience is like having a one on one lesson with good friend."

Read more…
Share
            

TOUR

Date Event Location
Thursday, June 30 Thu, Jun 30 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham, UK Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham, UK
Friday, July 1 Fri, Jul 1 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Greystones, Sheffield, UK Greystones, Sheffield, UK
Saturday, July 2 Sat, Jul 2 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Moonbeams Festival, UK Moonbeams Festival, UK
Sunday, July 3 Sun, Jul 3 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Blackheath Halls, UK Blackheath Halls, UK
Monday, July 4 Mon, Jul 4 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Wemsfest, Chidham Village Hall, Chidham, UK Wemsfest, Chidham Village Hall, Chidham, UK
Tuesday, July 5 Tue, Jul 5 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Connaught Theatre, Worthing, UK Connaught Theatre, Worthing, UK
Wednesday, July 6 Wed, Jul 6 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour The Exchange, Twickenham, UK The Exchange, Twickenham, UK
Thursday, July 7 Thu, Jul 7 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Victoria Hall, Settle, UK Victoria Hall, Settle, UK
Friday, July 8 Fri, Jul 8 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Newton Stewart Fest, UK Newton Stewart Fest, UK
Sunday, July 10 @ 7:00PM Sun, Jul 10 @ 7:00PM Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Tiree Music Fest, UK Tiree Music Fest, UK
Tuesday, July 12 Tue, Jul 12 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, UK Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, UK
Wednesday, July 13 Wed, Jul 13 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick, UK Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick, UK
Thursday, July 14 Thu, Jul 14 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Eden Court, Inverness, Scotland Eden Court, Inverness, Scotland
Friday, July 15 Fri, Jul 15 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour HebCelt Festival, Hebrides, UK HebCelt Festival, Hebrides, UK
Saturday, July 16 Sat, Jul 16 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Tolbooth, Stirling, Scotland Tolbooth, Stirling, Scotland
Tuesday, July 26 Tue, Jul 26 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Petworth Festival, Guildford, UK Petworth Festival, Guildford, UK
Sunday, July 31 Sun, Jul 31 Damien O'Kane and Ron Block - Banjophonics Tour Underneath the Stars Fest, Barnsley, UK Underneath the Stars Fest, Barnsley, UK
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