Mandolin | Michael Prewitt | Intermediate/Advanced | Period 1 | Week 5 (August 3-7. 2026)
This four-day class explores the classic mandolin stylings of Bill Monroe, tracing the evolution of his sound from its earliest inspirations to his later, more refined approach. We’ll examine how Monroe drew from old-time fiddle music and the blues to develop the melodic and harmonic vocabulary that defined his solos, vocal accompaniments, and original compositions. Along the way, we’ll look at how his playing changed over the course of his career, moving from the straightforward brother-duet style of the 1930s, through the driving, blues-inflected power of his peak years in the 1950s and ’60s, and into the elegant, spacious “lonesome” sound of his later decades.
The class will include focused listening, discussion, and hands-on playing drawn from key periods of Monroe’s work, including his early recordings with Charlie Monroe, the formation of his own band and the bluegrass genre in the 1940s, and his mature style from the 1970s onward. We’ll use Monroe’s tune “The Golden West” as a case study to highlight elements of his late-career approach. By the end of the week, students will have a deeper understanding of Monroe’s musical language and practical tools for incorporating his stylistic concepts into their own mandolin playing.
About the Instructor
Michael Prewitt, a bluegrass musician, is recognized for his mandolin playing and singing, having learned the instrument in East Kentucky and drawing influence from bluegrass musicians like Bill Monroe and The Stanley Brothers. Prewitt has released albums, such as “The Peerless Mountain Sessions” and “Something He Can Handle,” and performs with Aaron Bibelhauser as a duo, and as a member of Special Consensus. His music is available on streaming platforms, and he regularly tours in the United States and Canada.