Starting to Play
We play and sing songs, covering all the basic chords and learn several strums. we?ll also learn bass runs, and how to hammer- on. A basic foundation in folk-style guitar for those who have never played at all or for those who know just a few chords. Our songs are from contemporary folk, country and traditional sources, most of which are well-known favorites. Lots of help with developing good practice techniques and skills. This class is popular, so it is offered at two different times.
Level 1

Folk Standards
Designed to reinforce the basic tech- niques covered in “Starting to Play”, using more bass runs, hammering- on, new chords, introducing barred chords, and using a variety of right- hand strums. Songs are from both traditional and contemporary sources with an emphasis on repertoire and building one?s general knowledge of folk-style guitar. Lots of chord drilling and skill building covered in class.
Level 1-2

Folk Favorites #2
Similar to “Standards” but a little bit harder and quicker paced. Again, designed to rein- force the basic techniques covered in “Start- ing to Play”. In “Favorites” we learn lots of bass runs, some easy guitar fills, hammering- on, new chords, introduce barred chords and the use of chord inversions. Songs are from both traditional and contemporary sources. This class will be popular this quarter and is offered at two different times. (Folk Favorites 1 and 2 are the same level, just different songs.)
Level 2

Light Rock & Pop #1
Popular songs with easy chords and easy strums. You?ll learn new chords, how to use a flatpick (and keep the pick from fall- ing into the soundhole or flying across the room), plus lots of acoustic rock strums. Some barre chords will be used. Songs from Neil Young, the Beatles, the Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman, Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, the Eagles, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Bruce teen, and many more.
Level 2+

Country Classics #4
(Country Classics 1, 2, 3 and 4 are at the same level, but have different songs.) Introduction to flat- picking with an emphasis on repertoire and learn- ing to flatpick with typical bluegrass and country strums and runs. This is an easy-going workshop that draws from a wide variety of country music including bluegrass, hillbilly, country and western, country swing, and gospel. Songs from the music of Hank Williams, Buck Owens, the Stanley Bros., Emmylou Harris, Tim O?Brien, Kathy Mattea, Jim- mie Rodgers, Ernest Tubbs, Merle Haggard, Hank Snow, etc. Songs that are already classics and some that will be.
Level 2-3

Easy Acoustic Rock #2
Classic and contemporary rock songs with acoustic rock accompaniment. Our material will be drawn from a wide range of sources: the Beatles, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Crowded House, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Sarah McLaughlan, Bob Dylan, the Eagles, the Indigo Girls, Bruce Springsteen, etc. We?ll cover flat-pick technique and learn several acoustic rock strums, including the blues shuffle. You?ll need to be able to change chords quickly to take this class and be willing to use barre chords often. Aside from those restrictions, it?ll be easy!
Level 2-3

Already Picking Some
An introduction to fingerpicking (Travis Style) and standard folk guitar embellishment, in- cluding learning how to blend various picking styles and rhythms together, how and when to use hammering-on and bass runs effectively. Includes a review of 12 basic strums and their potential rhythmic variations when combined. Emphasis is on technique, using songs to apply that technique. Songs mostly from contemporary sources like the Beatles, John Denver, James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, etc. We learn to read tablature in this workshop.
Level 2-3

Alternative Rock #1
Songs from a range of artists like Death Cab, Oasis, REM, Black Crowes, Shawn Colvin, the Decemberists, U2, Counting Crows, Coldplay, Lucinda Williams, Jack Johnson, Simple white T?s, etc. Guitar styles from flatpicking to fingerpicking. We?ll use tablature when needed. Most songs will be taught at two levels simultaneously - a simpler treatment plus an arrangement more like the origi- nal to accommodate a range of ability. This class will be popular. Sign up early!
Easy version level 2-3 More complex version level 3-4

Bluegrass and Carter Style #3
Wonderful songs with easy to play leads. The material in this class will be a unique blend of bluegrass, Carter Family songs and newly written songs in these traditions. We?ll learn songs from the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” soundtrack, the Stanley Bros, Bill Monroe, the Blue Sky Boys, Woody Guth- rie, Laurie Lewis, and many others, adding lead breaks in Maybelle Carter?s distinctive style. This approach to playing lead is one of the easiest and most satisfying styles there is. You?ll learn how to build each lead from the ground up, starting with a simple melody and then developing it into a more complex arrangement. Equally suited for flatpickers and fingerpickers. We?ll use tablature for the leads.
Basic songs, level 2-3; leads level 3-4

Harmony Singing - All Styles
New songs this quarter! We?ll learn the building blocks of harmony theory, how to recognize intervals and learn how to create harmony in a variety of styles. We?ll learn 2, 3, and 4 part arrangements from a wide variety of sources including folk, blues, bluegrass, country, old-time, rock and roll, reggae, etc. Some songs will be written out with all the parts and some songs we?ll be creating the harmony by ear. Sight- singing is not a pre-requisite for this class (we?ll work on this together). Appropriate for both beginning and experienced singers.
No guitar level

Songwriter’s Circle
Open to songwriters of all levels, including beginners. Come primarily for feedback; come to strengthen your songwriting skills. We?ll cover the essentials; we?ll do writing exercises in class using creative games; we?ll work individually and in writing teams. Clear and constructive critiquing with suggestions and techniques offered on how to strengthen your lyrics, melodies, chords and rhythmic accompaniment. We?ll explore style and do some basic song arranging, with an ear to industry standards when it?s useful. Drop-ins for song critiquing are welcome on a weekly basis for this class. Weekly drop in fee is $20. No guitar level