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Fretmentor.com Presents: 
Jens and Uwe Kruger's Banjo & Guitar Workshop April 9-10, 2010 Sponsored By: First Quality Musical Supplies Deering Banjos Banjo Newsletter Intellitouch Tuners Epiphany Luteran Church Homespun Music Instruction Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Acoustic Guitar Magazine Jupiter Academy of Music
On Friday night April 9th and all day Saturday, Jens and Uwe Kruger will be joining Fretmentor.com for an exciting banjo and guitar workshop. To my knowledge, it will be the first of its kind in the South East Florida region. Jens Kruger At age 10, Jens played his first tenor banjo and a couple years later received a five string banjo from his brother Uwe. The two brothers performed together in their native Switzerland and later would tour Europe as the Rocky Road Band. At age 20, Jens met Bill Monroe at the Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival. He later would live with his fiance on Mr. Monroe's farm. Since 1997, Jens Kruger has performed with Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, John McEwen, Willie Nelson and Ricky Skaggs to name a few. To learn more about Jens Kruger, see my article recently published in the August issue of the Banjo Newsletter. You can access this article in the Library section of www.fretmentor.com Uwe Kruger Uwe (Oo-vay) Kruger, lead vocalist and guitarist, has been playing music since early childhood. When they were very young, Uwe and younger brother Jens placed a guitar on the floor between them and played it together, one brother taking the upper three strings and the other the lower three. Uwe was introduced to American folk music through the brothers' father, who would return to Switzerland from business trips to the United States with folk music records. For more than twenty-five years Uwe has been playing guitar and singing as a professional musician. Performing in Switzerland's relatively limited music market required Uwe to develop versatility, and he became proficient on other instruments including the electric guitar and the banjo. Uwe is the lead vocalist and guitar player for the Kruger Brothers band. He combines finger-picking and flat-picking styles in his guitar playing. His diverse influences range from Doc Watson and Eric Clapton to Beethoven, Bach and Brahms. David Jakubiak David (pictured above in the center with Jens) is the founder of www.fretmentor.com. and provides private and class instruction in banjo, guitar and mandolin. His bluegrass class regularly attracts 25-35 participants each term. David is a writer for the Banjo Newsletter and he has produced six instructional books on CD for banjo, guitar and mandolin. You can see his recently published articles regarding his bluegrass class in the library section above. In addition, you will see a more detailed biography at his website www.fretmentor.com. David has over 40 years of musical training and education, starting with the clarinet at the age of 8, the banjo and guitar at the ages of 10 and 11, followed later by the mandolin .
2010 Workshop Sponsors As if the workshop alone wasn't special enough, we are pleased to report that our sponsors, the Deering Banjo Company and First Quality Musical Supplies will each be giving away a banjo to two lucky registered attendees.  Deering Banjos is the number one manufacturer of American made banjos in the world. These hand-crafted banjos include the Deering, Tenbrooks, Goodtime, and vintage Deering Vega models. Deering has been making American made banjos since 1975 in San Diego, California. Founder Greg Deering and his wife, Janet Deering, have worked side by side to bring their customers the best in American craftsmanship. Greg Deering says “The magic is in the music.” Deering banjos believes the banjo is a way for you to bring out the music that is in you! For more information, you can contact them via their toll free number, 800-845-7791 or log on to their website, www.deeringbanjos.com.
 First Quality Music has been the leading supplier of superior instruments, parts, and accessories for nearly 40 years. We specialize in top quality musical instruments and replacement parts, including those for Gibson, Taylor, Epiphone, Martin, Ernie Ball, and Sullivan brand products. We’re also known as the premier destination for banjo parts, accessories, and luthier needs , supplying the highest quality parts at unbeatable prices from top names like D’Addario, KORG, Fishman, GHS, Kyser, Shure, and Elixir. First Quality Music is well known for building custom parts as well as repairing existing ones. A simple call to First Quality Music will help you find the right gear no matter what your budget; and our experienced staff of musicians will help answer all your musical gear related questions.
 Banjo NewsLetter is a monthly 48-page magazine covering all aspects of the 5-string banjo. Started by Hub Nitchie and his wife Nancy in 1973, BNL is now published by his two sons Donald and Spencer. Over twenty accomplished and well-known columnists and contributors cover a wide range of banjo topics, including features on banjo players, banjo techniques (three-finger, clawhammer, and others), beginning banjo, music theory, banjo set-up and accesories, product and record reviews, and typically at least nine tunes in banjo tablature per month. BNL has more than 6,500 subscribers in the US and internationally --and all of them are banjo players.
 Epiphany Lutheran Church - Reverend Doug Fountain, a banjo player and student himself, has kindly offered the use of the Epiphany Lutheran Church & School in Lake Worth, Florida as a wonderful central location for this event. It will be the host site for the Banjo & Guitar Workshop.
 Intellitouch Tuner - OnBoard Research Corporation is an innovator in the design and manufacturing of musical accessories. Based outside of Dallas, Texas, OnBoard first became known for their award winning Intellitouch Tuner in 1997. Since then, they have strived to make all musicians better by developing innovative products for brass players, woodwind players, percussion players and of course all stringed instrument players. Brand names owned and developed by OnBoard Research Corporation are: Intellitouch Tuners, CenterPitch Intonation Tuners and Beatnik Practice Pads. Last, but not least, OnBoard Research is widely known for the Lifetime Warranties on their products and their first class customer service. For more information, you can contact them toll free at (800) 340-8890 or check them out online at www.tuners.com.
 Homespun Music Instruction produces and distributes instructional books and tapes for various musical instruments.
 Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine - is a founding member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Bluegrass Unlimited is published monthly by Bluegrass Unlimited, Inc., 9514 James Madison Hwy., Warrenton, Virginia 20186.
 Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Acoustic Guitar is the monthly magazine that serves the practical needs of all acoustic guitar players, young and old, beginning and experienced, with musical instruction, information, inspiration, advice, and a voice in the acoustic guitar community. Lessons, workshops, sheet music, and how-to articles help readers improve their technique and expand their repertoire. Product reviews help its readers become smarter consumers. Player profiles, interviews, and lessons, provide access to the knowledge and experience of a wide range of acoustic guitarists. By focusing on the readers’ experience and desire for practical instruction, advice, and information, Acoustic Guitar helps them grow as players, enjoy the instrument more, and find their place in the larger acoustic guitar community.
 Jupiter Academy of Music (JAM) - The Academy offers instruction in classical, rock and jazz music. Through the art and joy of learning an instrument, students develop self-discipline, poise and confidence, and enrich our communities with their music making. Our degreed faculty teach piano, strings, guitar, voice and pre-school music to students of all ages. Fretmentor's weekly bluegrass classes are held at JAM.
Kruger Brothers Concert Sunday April 11, 2010 On Sunday April 11, 2010, the Kruger Brother will be appearing in concert at the Society of the Four Arts, in Palm Beach, Florida. While tickets may be purchased separately by the public starting March 10, 2010, we will have reserved a block of tickets in advance, for all students who are interested in also attending the Sunday afternoon concert. An additional and separate $10 fee will be applied, as part of the registration fee for any workshop students who elect to also attend the concert. See registration details below for more information. The Kruger Brothers include Jens on banjo, Uwe Kruger on guitar, and Joel Landsberg on bass. Special guest fiddle player Bobby Hicks will also be appearing for this event. For further information on the concert, you can access the Society of the Four Arts library at the following link: Click Here For Concert Details
Registration Fees For Friday Night & Saturday Event $155 (If Paid before March 1, 2010) $175 (If Paid March 1, 2010 or later) Optional Fees $15 - Saturday Lunch $15 per shirt - Official Workshop T-Shirt $10 per ticket - Sunday Concert Register Today - By Contacting Fretmentor (Official Registration Form & Payment Through Pay Pal Will Be Available Soon) Thank You For Your Patience! If you have questions or require additional information or want to register by money order or personal check Click Here to Contact Fretmentor Please Check Back For Updates.
Workshop Syllabus Banjo Sessions To Be Taught By Jens Kruger - How to play Scruggs Style on the Five String Banjo - Scruggs style is a traditional three finger style credited to Earl Scruggs. Jens will examine timing issues relative to playing three finger roles (including playing eighth notes and triplets). Scruggs style solo rhythm and back-up technique will be explored. Timing differences between "old-time bluegrass" and fiddle tunes and the basic structure of timing which is essential to performing bluegrass will be addressed.
- Three Finger Rolls & the Banjo - Jens will demonstrate three finger rolls that include the 5th string, the drone string, and their use in creating melody lines.
- Melodic Style Banjo - Students will learn how to not only use the 5th string but melodic arpeggios will be demonstrated. Scale structure up and down the neck will be explored. In addition, Jens will discuss how to play in other Keys such as the Key of C and D, including how to utilize chord positions appropriate for these Keys.
- Playing Blues on The Five-String Banjo - In addition to discussing pentatonic scales, Jens will discuss the difference between Country Blues (a traditional style played before the civil rights movement) and Standard Blues. He will explain how bluegrass (in Earl Scrugg's time) was limited to playing country blues in a major key while later bluegrass music (as performed by artists such as JD Crowe) utilized the standard blues with minor pentatonic scales. Jens will demonstrate the "Call and Answer" form of blues and will address the altered spaces between the "Call and Answer". Students will learn what is an altered space and how it functions.
- Single String Style on the Banjo - Whole scale patterns up and down the neck will be discussed. Jens will explain the difference between Reno single string style played primarily in chords and single strings style played primarily with systematic scale patterns. Students will learn seven different scale patterns.
- Composition & the Five-String Banjo - Jens will exlain how a student can create melodies and compose arrangements on the banjo. He will explain the inter-relations between notes used in creating a melodies, the tension between notes and how a composition is structured. Jens will demonstrate how intervals are used to constantly change the sound within a composition.
Guitar Sessions To Be Taught By Uwe Kruger - Rhythm Techniques & The Acoustic Guitar - Uwe will demonstrate how to play basic through advanced rhythm techniques on the guitar. Strumming patterns and combination strums will be discussed. Alternate patterns, such as groove style rhythm and muting rhythm techniques will be explored.
- Dynamics & the Guitar - Playing music requires the student to understand how to effectively emphasize or softly play a lead or rhythm. Uwe will explore how to play guitar with effective dynamics.
- Developing Solos on the Guitar - Scale structure will be examined and the use of arpeggios will be explored to assist a student in developing basic melody lines on the guitar.
- Playing Blues & Blues Technique for Guitar - Blues technique is used in various genres of music. Uwe will distinguish between country blues and standard 12 bar blues. Pentatonic scales and runs will be explored up and down the guitar fingerboard.
- Guitar Amplification & Your Guitar - How to use a pickup and amplify you guitar is essential to performing effectively. Uwe will explain guitar amplification, guitar set up and the equipment you need to perform on stage or in a public setting.
- Guitar Performance with Others - Uwe will discuss how to effectively perform with other musicians. He will explore how to play effective rhythm in a group and how to transition to taking the lead. Introductions and ending will also be explored.
The Banjo & Guitar Workshop is structured for beginners through advanced players. There will be a variety of topics addressed to keep all participants actively engaged and involved with these fine instructors. Although specific topics are specified above, this syllabus provides a general outline of the type of instruction that the workshop will entail. Jens and Uwe will be available (as time permits) through the sessions, to answer specific questions or speak on topics not included in the syllabus.
Accommodations & Local Area 
Due to the popularity of this event, the workshop will be held at the Epiphany Luteran Church and School in Lake Worth, Florida. Lake Worth is located just south of West Palm Beach. Attendees will be responsible for making their own travel and hotel arrangements. However, we have arranged discounted rates with two hotels closest to the event. If you want to take advantage of this discounted rate, please contact the hotel below and advise then that you are interested in one of the discounted rooms for the Jens & Uwe Kruger Banjo and Guitar Workshop. Links to the hotel websites are provided below for your convenience. The two local hotels nearest the event that are honoring discounts for this event include: Holiday Inn at Lake Worth Rd. & the Turnpike 7859 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, FL 33467 Phone: 1-561-968-500. Special rate of April 8th-12th for workshop attendees. Rooms are $79 plus tax. Standard non-discounted room rates are not identified. The regular rate at this time is $109 plus tax for a standard room and $119.00 plus tax for a pool side room. AAA and Arp discount is less 10%. For questions of special requests, please contact Katherine Sisson at 561-968-500 or email
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. Guests receive a 10% discount at Perkins restaurants. Rooms have a microwave and refrigerator. Hampton Inn West at Lake Worth Rd. & the Turnpike 2025 Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33411. Phone: 1-561-682-999. Special rate April 8th-12th for workshop attendees. Deluxe King & Double $89. King suites $109 per night. Taxes not included. Standard non-discounted room rates are normally $119. For questions or special requests, please contact Leila Store at 561-853-1055 or email
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. This rate includes complimentary breakfast and internet availability. The workshop location is approximately a 10-15 minute drive from the Atlantic Ocean. This promises to be a wonderful location for those who wish to escape the cold temperatures up North and combine a vacation with an opportunity to study the banjo and guitar with the Kruger Brothers and www.fretmentor.com.
Directions for the Lake Worth location will be posted on the website soon. Attendees will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the workshop.
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