Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
Learn World Rhythms and All Styles of Guitar
To celebrate moving Ancient Future Studios to Sonoma County, a series of free introductory in person music workshops is being offered at the Cloverdale Arts Alliance in Northern Sonoma County. For those not in Northern California, a separate set of free workshops will be held online.
Cloverdale Arts Alliance, 204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425. Introductory workshops: FREE. Ongoing classes: $150 for six more weeks. Sign up: info@cloverdaleartsalliance.org. Online versions sign up: info@ancient-future.com.
Matthew Montfort Bio
Matthew Montfort is known as a world guitar innovator and an inspiring music instructor who helps students of all levels and ages learn whatever style they desire. He is on the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists list at DigitalDreamDoor.com along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He is the leader of the world music group Ancient Future and performs on many instruments, including scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar 11 string fretless guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, flamenco guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan.
Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used at many music schools including the Berklee College of Music. Matthew Montfort was on the faculty of the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco for three decades where he taught rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical guitar, music theory, and world music. He teaches all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, charango, sitar, and mandolin as well as music theory for all instruments and rhythm classes based on his book.
Guitar Classes
Beginning Guitar
Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 7 to 7:45 PM
This free introductory beginning workshop can help aspiring guitarists get started on the right track with good practice habits. An ongoing class is available and will cover basics and feature simple pieces chosen according to the musical preferences of the students. For those who don't have a guitar yet, a few electric and acoustic guitars are available with the purchase of an initial set of private lessons.
Music Theory on the Fretboard
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 7:00 to 7:45 PM
This free introductory workshop opens the door to exploring music theory on the guitar fretboard. A six week course follows covering notes up the fretboard on each string, keys, intervals, modes, and chord construction.
Have Fun Learning to Read Music by Studying Classical Guitar Technique
Rise Above Reliance on TAB!
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 7:45 to 8:30 PM
Guitarists are often good at reading TAB, but poor at reading sheet music. This class gets students started learning to read standard music notation, while at the same time introducing foundational classical guitar technique that can be applied to other styles of playing. Students learn simple etudes and classical pieces that are great for boosting fingerstyle skills while actually bringing fun to learning to read music!
World Rhythms
Got Rhythm? Get the Beats of Africa, Bali, and India
Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 7 to 7:45 PM
This workshop is a wonderful way to improve timing skills. Matthew Montfort's book, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India, is the basis for this world music workshop and has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed rock and jazz drummer.
The workshop is presented in an easy to follow, entertaining yet educational format for all music lovers. African polyrhythms, Balinese kotèkan and Indian classical music were chosen as the source material for the training because these three traditions in combination cover the major types of rhythmic organization used in most of the world's music. Not just for musicians and percussionists, this training can help anyone with a desire to improve their rhythm skills. The workshop is open to all levels, and no musical background is required. Very simple to play percussion instruments will be provided, and participants are free to bring any percussive instrument they enjoy playing.
Rhythm Training Materials
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort. Book/Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Soundfiles: $52.95 (SALE! Normally $69.95): Buy Link: https://www.ancient-future.com/atfp.html
"You've heard Afro-Pop, sitar, gamelan and world music for years. But do you know what they are and how they work? Better yet, would you like to play those twisted cross-rhythms and melodies? In Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Matthew Montfort, a founding member of the world music band Ancient Future, has put together the book for people who want to dig into world music with both hands. The first section of the book covers traditional music of West Africa, Bali and India with theories and exercises. Wherever possible, Montfort has provided beat counts alongside the standard musical notation so even if you can't read music, you can still learn the rhythms. The last section of the book mixes patterns from different cultures, demonstrating the powerful music these simple exercises can generate." – Richard Kadrey, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
