Neil Pearlman

Piano Accompaniment Styles Listening Class

January 22, 2020 By

Instructor: Neil Pearlman
All Levels; All Instruments

Although it is less widespread now, the piano has been a traditional accompaniment to the fiddle for many years– longer than the guitar, in fact! Join Neil Pearlman for a tour of piano styles from a variety of fiddle traditions. In this lecture/discussion class we will listen to and break down a selection of recordings and videos featuring pianists who run the gamut from classic old school traditional to modern and innovative. We will track the development of several traditional piano styles and listen to many of the most important players who exemplify and have shaped their styles.

Accordion Tunes and Techniques

January 22, 2020 By

Instructor: Neil Pearlman
All Levels; Accordion

Learn one or two of Neil’s favorite tunes to play on the accordion along with specific tips for ornamentation, style and fingering on the instrument.

New Techniques for Piano Accompaniment

January 22, 2020 By

Instructor: Neil Pearlman
Intermediate/Advanced Levels; Piano

In this class we will explore some alternative techniques and rhythmic patterns that can be used to accompany fiddle tunes. Neil has spent a great deal of time developing new ways of accompanying fiddle music on the piano by looking at other accompaniment instruments like guitar, mandolin and bass as well as drawing on piano styles in other genres of music. Come expand your vocabulary on the instrument!

Adding Improvised Variations and Fills to your Tune Playing

January 22, 2020 By

Instructor: Neil Pearlman
Intermediate/Advanced Levels; All Instruments

So you know a bunch of tunes but what now? How do you keep them fresh, interesting and exciting as you delve into them? In this class Neil will share some of his favorite techniques for adding spontaneous variations and fills to the fiddle tunes you know and love. We’ll cover a variety of ideas from adding occasional “jazzy” runs to re-purposing the ideas already present in the tune to give it an extra kick!

Hearing the Chords

December 12, 2018 By

Instructor: Neil Pearlman
All levels, All Instruments

At sessions it’s not uncommon to be have a fiddler call out a key and start playing, but how does the accompanist follow along if they don’t already know the tune? Do guitarists and pianists have to develop an encyclopedic repertoire of tunes just to survive? Happily this is not the case.READ MORE

Playing in a small ensemble

December 26, 2018 By

Instructors: Matt Shipman; Elaine Malkin; Erica Brown; Neil Pearlman
All levels, All Instruments

In this workshop we will work on the elements of playing with others in a small ensemble. Working with instruments different than your own is a great way to expand your musicianship and listening skills. We will work on arrangements, medleys and harmony.READ MORE