Bluegrass Banjo: From Imitation to Improvisation with Gina Furtado

In this workshop, we'll go over several tips and tricks for making improvising simple and creating basic solos on the fly in a bluegrass jam setting. We'll delve into common bluegrass keys and how to play with confidence in these keys; simple licks that can be reused and recycled in a number of chords; and template patterns that you can fall back on when you are feeling in over your head. This is designed for a broad range of skill levels.

Twice nominated for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Banjo Player of the Year, Gina began touring up and down the east coast in her tween years with her siblings, earning countless ribbons from fiddlers conventions, a strong reputation in the regional bluegrass scene, and a stamp from Bluegrass Today as “absurdly talented”.

She developed national recognition with her four years playing for Chris Jones and the Night Drivers. Her latest album, True Colors, was released in September 2017 and debuted at #13 on Bluegrass Billboard Charts, and boasts two #1 songs on Bluegrass Today Charts. Gina was featured on the cover of Banjo Newsletter in the December 2017 issue, along with her original tune "Saylor's Creek".