George Winston tugs a few (heart) strings at Metropolis

George Winston, the multiplatinum recording artist, held a low-key workshop for a small group of senior citizens on Tuesday, in between shows at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.

Dressed in jeans and a denim shirt, Winston sat on the apron level of the theater. Instead of playing piano, his signature instrument, he brought out a guitar and harmonica.

Audience members got an inside look at how both instruments are used in Winston's current repertoire, which explores New Orleans rhythm and blues, and the melodic music he plays in folk piano style.

Those watching included residents from Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Cedar Village in Arlington Heights, and a few local residents involved with Metropolis.

Herb Braden of Des Plaines participates in the theater's offerings, and occasionally acts in some performances.

"I want to sample some of his approach to performing," Braden said. "I hear he practices long and hard after every performance, so he is really dedicated to his craft and to his art."

For a new series of albums, Winston lately has worked to master the Hawaiian slack key guitar. It requires a style of playing that is unique to Hawaii, he said, and dates back to the early 1800s.

Winston discussed chords and music theory, demonstrating the difficult fingerstyle playing, and then launched into a traditional Hawaiian melody.

It was on the harmonica that Winston drew his biggest response. Using a basic C harmonica, he described techniques to play chords and find octaves on the instrument, using his tongue to split the holes.

"It's not as hard as it sounds," Winston said. "It's kind of like whistling - once you've mastered it, it's like riding a bike or driving a car."

Metropolis officials from their School of the Performing Arts Outreach Program presented the free workshop in partnership with Winston.

"It's pretty cool," says Jim Jarvis, Metropolis executive director. "How often do you get to hear how a multiplatinum, platinum and gold album winner puts it all together?"