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 techniques
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 reinforce the basic techniques covered in “Starting 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 slevel, just different songs.)
Level 2

Already Picking Some
An introduction to fingerpicking (Travis Style) and standard folk guitar embellishment, including 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

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 and fun!
Level 2-3

Music Theory for Guitar
A music theory workshop specially oriented to folk-style guitar players to help you to understand how music works. Centered around the guitar fingerboard, we?ll learn how to read music, how to find notes on the fingerboard, how scales and chords are made, about chord inversions and chord progressions, about blues scales, how the Ionian, Aeolian, Mixolydian and Dorian Modes are constructed, about intervals and key transposition. We?ll work on ear training, learn how to name, recognize and create more complex chords, and also cover some basics about song arranging. Meets 1 hour and 15 minutes each week. Special Fee - $170
Level 2-3

Expanded Repertoire #2
Songs from many sources including James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Karla Bonoff, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Jackson Browne, etc. Emphasis is on gathering material rather than weekly technique building; however you should already know a fingerpicking pattern or two
(Travis style). We?ll arrange the songs in class adding fills and runs plus learn a variety of new chords and strums. Songs from both traditional as well as contemporary sources. (Expanded Repertoire 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all at the same level, just different songs.)
Level 3

Modern Folk and Country #5
That hard to define “crossover” music that combines contemporary folk with a little country, alittle rock, a little blues, and even a little jazz now and then, with a lot of personal expression. Material drawn from the music of Nanci Griffith, Greg Brown, Cheryl Wheeler, The Indigo Girls, Allison Krause, Keb Mo?, Eric Clapton, Tim O?Brien, etc. Emphasis will be on both repertoire and technique, using fingerstyle and flatpicking. You should already know a Travis style fingerpicking pattern or two. All guitar arrangements are in tablature.
Level 3 – 4

Beginning Singing
Do you wish you had a better singing voice? We?ll learn vocal exercises and songs to further increase our vocal ranges, learn how to sing with more confidence, learn how to breathe correctly and sing with diaphragm support, learn how to sing in different styles and learn very basic harmonies to easy songs. We?ll tackle questions like: “What is my vocal range?”, “What key is best for me?”, “Can I train my voice to sing more in tune, be stronger, or to sing louder?”, ”Can I learn to sing and play guitar, at the same time?”, etc. If these questions sound familiar to you, come and join us. Shy singers are especially welcome!
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. Meets 1 and 1/2 hours each week.
Special Fee $175
No guitar level