Instructor Profile - Bill Neaves
Bill Neaves began playing music (mandolin) at the age of seven. At the age of ten, Bill took up the fiddle, winning the Montana State Jr. Jr. Fiddle championship just six months later. This was the first of seven consecutive state fiddle titles won. With Bill’s musical influences so deeply rooted in Bluegrass and Texas-style fiddle music, it seemed only natural when he began flatpicking the guitar at the age of thirteen. Bill’s reputation as a multi-instrumentalist continued to grow throughout his teenage years as he attended festivals/contests...taking home championships with fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. In 1990, Bill became the lead guitarist in the Phantom Canyon Band; which, appeared in the Turner Broadcasting movie “Montana.” Upon moving to Missoula MT, Bill joined the progressive bluegrass band, Pinegrass, playing mandolin and adding lead/harmony vocals to the mix. Bill’s energetic and improvisational “attack” has been likened to that of Sam Bush. In addition to performing with Pinegrass, Bill played lead guitar in his acoustic newgrass band, Long Overdue. Following a successful album release, Long Overdue’s reputation as an innovative musical and vocal ensemble continued to grow in the Northwest with regional concert and festival appearances. Bill’s solo album in 2000, “Maggie’s Welcoming” became one of the “best sellers” in the local market. In addition, it received local, regional, and national airplay and favorable reviews from national publications such as “Bluegrass Unlimited.” In this same year, Bill was asked to teach a “Regional Master’s” guitar workshop in Tacoma Washington at the Wintergrass bluegrass festival. Working with two additional instructors, Bill focused on essential guitar topics such as: right/left hand technique, understanding the fingerboard, taste, tone, timing, and of course, improvisation. Bill points out he has been teaching almost as long as he has been playing music. Bill began taking serious music students while in the 8th grade. He has always enjoyed the challenge of “meeting a student at whatever musical level he/she is at, and helping him/her get to the next level.” Bill’s belief in musical excellence and it’s power to improve one’s life experience motivates Bill to help others achieve a higher level of musicianship. To this end, Bill has opened a guitar/mandolin studio in Missoula, MT where he focuses on helping others more fully realize and express the talents that are within them.
Lesson Rates & Info
Phone: (406) 239-0239
Email: billneaves@aol.com
