START YOUR FIDDLIN' BLUEGRASS STANDS TALL AFTER 30 YEARS OF GROWTH AND LOTS OF NEW, YOUNG PLAYERS AT PICKIN' PARLOR.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

Like a lot of newcomers to country music, Loren Schneider loves the fiddle because it's tailor-made for her kind of music: bluegrass.

Unlike a lot of country fans, Schneider is just 4 years old. And while she has probably never heard of bluegrass pioneers like the Foggy Mountain Boys or Bill Monroe, she knows what she likes 1/3 and she isn't the only one.

"I love the fiddle," she says, "because it makes such a beautiful sound."

The Northridge preschooler, who's been taking country fiddle lessons for seven months at the family-friendly Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor music store, is one of dozens of kids who've embraced bluegrass and country music and are busy learning to play the stuff.

You hear a lot about rap and hip-hop these days, but 1/3 O, brother 1/3 there just might be a banjo-led revolution simmering below the surface.

"There's a huge influx of young people learning bluegrass mandolin, fiddle, guitar and other instruments," says Ric Griffith, a member of the family that's owned the Pickin' Parlor in Granada Hills for 30 years. "What we see is the kids come here to take lessons, and then the parents decide to join in. Plus, we've had bands formed out of the store."

The Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor, long considered the center of the Valley's thriving bluegrass and country music scene, was launched in Tarzana by Los Angeles police officer and bluegrass aficionado Ken Tennesen and his wife, Margo, in 1976. From the beginning, the store played host to such bluegrass greats as Bill Monroe and the Country Gentlemen.

"The place has always been run by a friendly, wonderful set of folks who are part of the bluegrass culture that involves making your own fun by encouraging the musical participation of everybody," said dance fiddler Frank Hoppe, who hosts a four-hour weekly show called "Bluegrass Etc." at 6 a.m. Sundays on California State University, Northridge, station KCSN-FM (88.5).

After their five-year run, Tennesen sold the store to his new son-in-law and daughter, Frank and Tammy Javorsek. In 1980, they moved it to Canoga Park, and spent the next 20 years molding the music store into the bluegrass mecca it is today.

The turn of the new millennium brought in current owners Ric and Alicia Griffith (still in the same family; Alicia is Tammy's little sister). The Griffiths moved the shop to its larger new location on Chatsworth Street in Granada Hills.

The store hosts monthly jam sessions, concerts, workshops, retail sales and music lessons for more than 300 students a week, some coming from as far away as Lake Arrowhead. Lessons cost $25 for a half-hour.

"It's a very family-oriented place," said Kathy Schneider, Loren's mom. "It's very kid-friendly and relaxed. Obviously, with Loren being 4, I want her to enjoy learning about music, and this is the place to do it."

On a recent day, students of all ages could be heard in the store's seven teaching areas, learning hammered dulcimer, banjo, guitar and other instruments associated with this classic American music. A big oak rocking chair sits near a small stage surrounded by guitars, mandolins, CDs and bluegrass memorabilia. A child's play area contains toys, videos and games.

"I love playing the guitar because it's so much fun," said John Schwager, 10, of Granada Hills, who is taking acoustic and electric guitar lessons at the Pickin' Parlor and names Johnny Cash as a favorite. "I get to turn it up."

Part of the generation-spanning appeal of bluegrass is the participation factor, explained the Parlor's former owner Tammy Javorsek, who still works there.

"The music encourages people to participate," she said. "It's accessible. The bluegrass community is not larger than life 1/3 it's grass-roots. Everyone can be part of it."

Despite the fact that bluegrass is characterized by rapid tempos and fluid jazz-style improvisation, it is a democratic style appreciated at such local events as the annual Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest (which hosts competitions and jam sessions) or at one of the many other events around town.

"It's like jazz 1/3 there's a small but very committed audience," says well-known banjo picker Herb Pedersen, who appears Saturday with Chris Hillman at McCabe's club in Santa Monica. "And the Pickin' Parlor represents everything that's needed for acoustic music to thrive in the Valley. It's an institution that's not only great for getting your supplies, but they also have great teachers. For kids who embrace folk and bluegrass, that's the place to go."

One of those teachers is Bill Knopf, a professional bluegrass musician with four CDs out and a host of instructional books. He's given lessons in banjo and guitar at the Pickin' Parlor for 26 years.

"I think we're seeing so many young people interested in banjo because they hear it now in movies, on commercials and in rock music," Knopf said between students last week. "It's got a different sound, and it looks like fun. The kids who start out don't really know what songs they want to learn 1/3 they just want to make the sound they've heard."

Fred Shuster, [phone]

[e-mail]

BLUE RIDGE PICKIN' PARLOR

Where: 17828 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills.

Info: [phone] or www.pickinparlor.com.

HEAR IT HERE

There are plenty of places to hear bluegrass music in the region. Here are selected upcoming events and Web sites to check out.

Saturday: Cyrus Clarke and the Expedition, 8 p.m. $15. Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor, 17828 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. [phone]; pickinparlor.com.

Saturday: Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman, McCabe's, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. $22.50. [phone]; mccabes.com.

Tuesday: The Brombies, presented by the Bluegrass Association of Southern California at the Braemar Country Club, 4001 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana. Pasta bar 6:30 p.m., music 8 p.m. $12. [phone]; Bluegrass Association of Southern California.

April 22: Claire Lynch Band, 8 p.m. $20. Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor; clairelynch.com.

May 7: Blue Ridge Pick-nic, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Northridge Park, 10058 Reseda Blvd. Free.

May 12: Byron Berline, 8 p.m. $20. Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor.

May 21: Topanga Banjo & Fiddle Contest, Paramount Ranch, near Agoura in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $7 to $12. [phone]; topangabanjofiddle.org.

Also, check out the schedule at the Cowboy Palace Saloon, 21635 Devonshire St., Chatsworth. [phone]; cowboypalace.com.

- F.S.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- 4 -- cover -- color) Bluegrass hits home

Three decades of rootsy music at Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor

(5) Loren Schneider, 4, of Northridge, has been learning to play bluegrass fiddle at the Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor in Granada Hills for seven months.

(6) John Schwager, 10, of Granada Hills studies both the acoustic and electric guitar with Frank Javorsek at the Pickin' Parlor. ``I love playing the guitar because it's so much fun,'' the boy says.

(7 -- 8) Leilani Simmons, 12, of Canoga Park, enjoys her banjo lesson at the Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor. Below, finger picks help her get the right sound.

Box:

HEAR IT HERE (see text)