Blog

Green Strum hits the Art Scene

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:15:37 GMT

Gallery 234 on the campus of the University of Wyoming will be staging a Green Strum exhibit from September 6 - September 22!

This multimedia event will include a selection of Green Strum instrument creations as well as audio, video, and written information.

The gallery is open from 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.

A reception will take place on Tuesday, September 20 from 6-7pm at the Gallery.

I've also been invited to participate in a sustainability forum immediately following the reception.

The forum will be held in the West Ballroom on the second level of the Wyoming Union on the campus of the University of Wyoming.

We're very excited about this latest development and hope that this will help to spread the good, green news along the western frontier and beyond!

Oh, yeah...and to wrap it all up I'll be performing a concert at The Gardens in the lower level of the University's Wyoming Union on Thursday, September 22.

That's it for now,

Ryan

STL Americana Radio Episode 1

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:25:00 GMT

Known collectively as The Atomic Duo, Mark Rubin and Silas Lowe are presently roaming the country while spreading their particularly edifying brand of folk music.
I'm proud to announce that STL Americana Radio's auspicious debut features these two articulate dynamos!

Green Strum Project blends jug band music with eco-friendly ideology.

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:12:33 GMT

The Green Strum project is still in it's initial CD production phase. Check out St. Louis's first wholly local, sustainable CD project: Click Here for the Video and information

Green Strum Project Update

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:15:00 GMT

We're three days into the Green Strum Project campaign and we're 14% funded.
We've got 11 backers at a total of $360 dollars.
Thank you so much to those of you who have contributed and/or pre-ordered the CD.
Please share this project with anyone you know who might possibly be interested.

Click Here for more Info on The Green Strum Project

The Green Strum Project

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:00:00 GMT

I've teamed up with kickstarter.com to make my new vision a reality.

Check out my new project and pre-order my new CD today!!!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN PRE ORDER MY NEW CD

European Tour Picture Slideshow

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:09:28 GMT

The Final Leg

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:31:56 GMT

France

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:24:34 GMT

Spain & Portugal

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:52:47 GMT

France and Portugal

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:40:00 GMT

France

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:21:43 GMT

Rocky Mountain Song at Carre d'Art

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 17:01:43 GMT

Arrival

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Headed to Europe

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 04:25:00 GMT

Howdy Everybody,
We are leaving for Europe in the morning and we're really excited. This is where I'll be uploading pictures, videos, and observations from the trip.
Now would be a great time to subscribe to the blog so you'll get automatic updates!
Take it easy and I"ll be in touch,
Ryan

Teaching the World to Play One Class at a Time

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:32:14 GMT

Howdy everyone,

The time is here for a new Folk School session to begin and I am offering five classes; two of which are new to the school.

Like last session, I'm teaching an Ensemble I Class, a Jug Band Ensemble Class, and an Improv I Class. To those I will be adding a Classic Country Ensemble Class and and Improv II Class.

I've really been enjoying the opportunity to teach and discuss these subjects with "folks" in the community and I hope you can come join the fun. The Ensembles are a great place to hone your skills on any instrument by learning how to play in a group. The Improv Classes will help to demystify the art of composing "on the fly" through the use of various technical and psychological techniques as well as someguidance in the realm of basic chord and scale application. All participants will have access to a class website. The website will feature charts, diagrams, recommendations for further study, & audio/video samples of the concepts discussed.

Taking a class at the Folk School is a great way to develop your musical skills in a relaxed and supportive enviornment while meeting some great people who share your same interests. I encourage you to check out the class schedule at www.folk-school.com and sign up for one today!

The new sessions starts next week so act now!

Thanks,
Ryan

My latest class offering at The Folk School of St. Louis: Jug Band Ensemble

Wed, 26 May 2010 21:05:00 GMT

I'm excited about my newest endeavor at The Folk School of St. Louis. I'm introducing a Jug Band class. Jug Band Ensemble will be a four-week course that will introduce participants to the basic concepts of "jug band" music. Jug bands make use of home-made and novelty instruments such as the washboard, washtub bass, kazoo,slide whistles, and jug, alongside a few more traditional, stringed instruments like the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. I'm going to be teaching folks to play some standards of the jug band repertoire on the instrument(or household item) of their choice. Should be a blast and hopefully a great way to introduce people to the joy and accessibility of folk music! All instruments welcome. If you have any questions please email me or swing on over to The Folk School's Website. Classes start in early June. Maybe I'll see ya there?!

Clawhammer banjo arrangement for Kitchen Girl

Tue, 25 May 2010 21:45:00 GMT

Here's my version of one of my all time favorite fiddle tunes for the banjo. It's got a few tricky maneuvers, but is pretty straight forward for the most part.
If you have any trouble figuring out the right hand, let me know and I'll clarify for you. Thanks for stopping by and-as always- I'll provide audio samples upon request.

Happy Frailin'! Kitchen Girl

Get a FREE unreleased Ryan Spearman album!!!

Sat, 22 May 2010 02:07:21 GMT

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
-Friedrich Nietzsche

There's a revolution happening in the music industry right now!

You can join me in a "fan-powered" project for my upcoming studio album, Goodbyes, Broken Strings, & Dollar Signs.

Click this link Ryan's Record Revolution and you will receive two things:

1. More info on the Goodbyes, Broken Strings, & Dollar Signs project.

2. More info on getting your free dowload of TheWaterleftfrog Sessions.

The Waterleftfrog Sessions is a ten song, never-before-released, exclusive solo album. It's complete with Ryan Spearman originals you've never heard before!

So what are you waiting for?! Click the Ryan's Record Revolution link and help make the world a more musical place!

Thanks for listening,
Ryan

Clawhammer banjo arrangement for Reuben's Train in open D tuning

Mon, 10 May 2010 23:19:26 GMT

Here's some tab for my basic arrangement of the classic train tune, "Reuben's Train".
If you've never played in open D before, you're in for a treat. The tuning has a warm, mellow
voicing that really sweetens up the most basic of arrangements.
Most banjos will take a little while to settle into this new tuning, so be prepared to spend a
few minutes getting fine tuned.

Please comment on this blog is you have any questions, corrections, or requests.
And as always, I'll post audio samples if anyone requests them.

Happy Pickin':

tablature

Freight Train

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:32:03 GMT

Here's my basic arrangement of the classic Elizabeth Cotten finger picking tune, "Freight Train". Hope you enjoy!

I've included a link to a sound sample of the arrangement. It should be noted that this sound sample
is an electronically generated interpretation of the tablature and will not likely bring any aesthetic pleasure
to the listener...but, it makes a good reference if you're having trouble coaxing the tune from the tablature.

If you would like an audio sample of me playing this Freight Train arrangement on an actual guitar,just email me or
comment on this blog. I'm more than happy to help you out and anwer questions, etc...it's just good to know someone
might be out there giving a durn!

Freight Train - tablature

Freight Train - sound sample