There is more to music than just the music, Scott Ainslie believes.
photo provided
Scott Ainslie teaches, plays guitar at Auburn Public Theater
Scott Ainslie teaches, plays guitar at Auburn Public Theater
The guitarist and educator loves to listen to and make music, especially the blues and roots styles of early 20th century United States. But Ainslie said he finds the stories and the history behind the notes to be just as interesting and as important.
“The problem with modern culture at this moment is people think the world was invented just before the last commercial break,” said Ainslie, who lives near Boston. “If you don't have an understanding of where we came from, you don't really know where we are.”
Local musicians and audiences can learn some of that music from as far back as a century ago - as well as hear the stories that inspired the songs - this weekend.
Ainslie will offer a workshop Sunday for solo guitarists who wish to learn more about acoustic blues music. Later in the day, he will play the same kind of music and share some personal experiences during a concert.
The various blues-based genres have always inspired Ainslie, who authored “Robert Johnson / at the Crossroads” about the iconic blues guitarist's works from 1936 to 1937. Even today, you can hear its influences, he said.
“All three jobs of the rock and roll band - the bass, the rhythm and the lead guitarists - were juggled by one musician,” Ainslie said. “It is a delightfully complicated style.”
During the workshop, Ainslie will teach techniques for playing Mississippi-based, Delta blues style and the northern Dixieland-influenced style of blues. Included in the class will be instruction on slide guitar, fingerpicking, open tunings and other tricks of the style.
The classes are very hands-on and students usually range from people who only know seven or eight chords to professional musicians. Ainslie has taught years of guitar and music classes, and he has released an instructional DVD focusing on Robert Johnson's music.
“The music is a language, and a good one to know,” Ainslie said. “If we have people who are really new to acoustic blues, backing up and explaining why it is the way it is can be really useful.”
Ainslie said it can be surprising how relevant music from almost 100 years ago can be today. As with history, politics or family, learning the historic and cultural context of music can help bring about better understanding for others, he said.
“I get to walk people right up next to some stuff that is really old and make it seem really contemporary,” Ainslie said. “That is part of the fun of this.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Scott Ainslie guitar workshop and concert
When: Workshop at 2 p.m.; concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $35 for workshop; $12 for concert
Info: Call 253-6669 or visit www.auburnpublictheater.com
“The problem with modern culture at this moment is people think the world was invented just before the last commercial break,” said Ainslie, who lives near Boston. “If you don't have an understanding of where we came from, you don't really know where we are.”
Local musicians and audiences can learn some of that music from as far back as a century ago - as well as hear the stories that inspired the songs - this weekend.
Ainslie will offer a workshop Sunday for solo guitarists who wish to learn more about acoustic blues music. Later in the day, he will play the same kind of music and share some personal experiences during a concert.
The various blues-based genres have always inspired Ainslie, who authored “Robert Johnson / at the Crossroads” about the iconic blues guitarist's works from 1936 to 1937. Even today, you can hear its influences, he said.
“All three jobs of the rock and roll band - the bass, the rhythm and the lead guitarists - were juggled by one musician,” Ainslie said. “It is a delightfully complicated style.”
During the workshop, Ainslie will teach techniques for playing Mississippi-based, Delta blues style and the northern Dixieland-influenced style of blues. Included in the class will be instruction on slide guitar, fingerpicking, open tunings and other tricks of the style.
The classes are very hands-on and students usually range from people who only know seven or eight chords to professional musicians. Ainslie has taught years of guitar and music classes, and he has released an instructional DVD focusing on Robert Johnson's music.
“The music is a language, and a good one to know,” Ainslie said. “If we have people who are really new to acoustic blues, backing up and explaining why it is the way it is can be really useful.”
Ainslie said it can be surprising how relevant music from almost 100 years ago can be today. As with history, politics or family, learning the historic and cultural context of music can help bring about better understanding for others, he said.
“I get to walk people right up next to some stuff that is really old and make it seem really contemporary,” Ainslie said. “That is part of the fun of this.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Scott Ainslie guitar workshop and concert
When: Workshop at 2 p.m.; concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $35 for workshop; $12 for concert
Info: Call 253-6669 or visit www.auburnpublictheater.com
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