The Folk Music Society of Huntington will host a Partial Capo Techniques Workshop for guitarists with Randall Williams on Saturday, May 3, from 4-6 p.m., at the Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Drive (off Route 25A), Centerport. Open to guitarists of all skill levels, the two-hour workshop costs $25 (if pre-registered) and $30 at the door, if space is available.  Checks payable to the Folk Music Society of Huntington may be sent to P.O. Box 290, Huntington Station, NY 11746.         

The workshop precedes the society’s Falcon Ridge Preview Tour concert at 7:30 p.m. that evening featuring Joe Crookston, Anthony da Costa, Lindsay Mac and Williams – all of whom were voted as audience favorites "most wanted" to return among emerging artists during the 2007 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. (More information on that appears in the AcoustiCalendar.)

The Partial Capo Techniques Workshop will cover the use of standard, Drop-D, and Short-Cut capos, separately and together in more than a dozen different positions in standard tuning.  Guitar players will learn the structural reasons why capos fit in certain combinations and how to wow audiences with the variation they get by playing on both sides of the capo.

The workshop will include an interactive presentation, followed by practice time and one-on-one coaching.  During the last part of the workshop, participants will showcase one song that they have adapted to include partial capo techniques.  Instructional materials will be distributed, and participants should bring guitars and notebooks. 

Pizza and soda will be provided to participants following the workshop.

Randall Williams is a well-traveled, conservatory-trained singer-songwriter and pioneering guitarist who is partial to the use of partial capos in alternate and standard tunings.  Indeed, he wrote the book on them for Hal Leonard, recorded a DVD for Kyser Musical Products, and has given workshops at some of the biggest festivals and music conferences in the U.S.

“So there’s finally a map to this territory!” exclaims singer-songwriter David Wilcox.  “Thanks Randall.  I’ve made my way through the wilderness for years without seeing the big picture.”  Long Island guitar players of all levels will have an opportunity to see and learn for themselves on Saturday, May 3.