Fall 2026 In-Person and Zoom Workshops - 8 Weeks of Classes
October 12 - December 10
No classes Thanksgiving week
All classes meet live via Zoom. All Wednesday's classes also meet in-person in Portola Valley.
I videotape every class, in case you can't tune in at the scheduled time your class is taught.
• The All John Prine class (Wednesday at 5:30) is taught in-person in addition to Zoom.
• The Starting to Play class (Wednesday 6:30) is taught in-person in addition to Zoom.
• The Harmony Singing class (Wednesday at 7:30pm) is taught in-person in addition to Zoom.
You MUST pre-register to participate. I'll need to send you the link for your class.
Scroll down to the class of your choice and click on the "add to cart" button to sign up!
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!
Mondays:
6pm - Slow Track Fun #16
(for Guitar and Ukulele)
7pm - Folk Standards
Tuesdays:
6pm - Americana #41
7pm - Songwriter's Circle
Wednesdays:
*5:30pm - All John Prine #2*
*6:30pm - Starting to Play*
*7:30 PM - Trio Harmony Singing*
Thursdays:
5pm- All Dolly Parton
6pm - Bluegrass & Country Leads #19
Scroll down this page for class descriptions and online registration.
Want to know what songs are in a particular class? Except for brand new classes, you can see class lists by pulling down the "group class" menu on this page and clicking on the "class lists" button.
All classes are taught live by Carol McComb online via Zoom.
*All three Wednesday classes are taught in-person in Portola Valley as well as via Zoom*
MONDAYS
Monday 6PM: Slow Track Fun #16 for Guitar & Uke
(level 2)
New Class! An easy going class for those who know some basic guitar chords or want to get started on the ukulele. We will learn at least a dozen well-known songs from a wide variety of sources. Songs from artists like Bonnie Raitt, Woody Guthrie, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, John Denver, Creedence Clearwater, Emmylou Harris, American traditional songs and many more. We will also learn how to start playing songs by ear.
7PM: Folk Standards
(level 1-2)
Designed to reinforce the foundation 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.
TUESDAYS
Monday 6PM: Americana and It's Roots #41
(level 3-4)
New Class! A continuation of our journey exploring the incredibly rich world of Americana music and the traditional blues and country roots that this fabulous tradition is built upon. We learn wonderful songs from contemporary singer-songwriters, bluegrass and old-time players, blues, and folk songs from artists like Sarah Jarosz, Billy Strings, Bruce Springsteen, Molly Tuttle, Tim O'Brien, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Gillian Welch, Shawn Colvin and many more. We use guitar tablature in this class for all the songs.
(no guitar level)
Open to songwriters of all levels including beginners. Our songwriting class is fresh and different every quarter in our constant search for the muse. Come to get started writing your own songs; come for ideas and guidance; come to share a song in progress or to share a finished song. Come just to have a great time in a supportive environment! Class size is limited. Sign up early!
WEDNESDAYS
5:30PM: All John Prine #2
(level 2-3) New Class!
Taught in-person in Portola Valley and also live via Zoom.
Detailed yet relatively easy to play arrangements of John Prine's best known songs plus some of his lesser known songs. Suitable for both finger style and flat pick players. All songs will be written in tablature, but will also work well with a more simplified approach.
Taught in-person in Portola Valley and also live via Zoom. I am now offering this very thorough introduction to playing the guitar both live-streamed via Zoom and also in person. Learn all the basics in 8 weeks! This fast moving class will cover all 9 basic chords, several strum patterns, a scale in the key of G, how to use hammering-ons and bass runs, plus 15 great songs from country, rock and folk sources.
7:30PM: Trio Harmony Singing
(no guitar level)
Taught in person in Portola Valley and live via Zoom. The songs in this class will mostly come from the incredibly wonderful repertoire of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. But don't worry, fellas, and you gals with lower voices. I'll transcribe these songs with my usual attention to detail (like as perfectly as possible) but I will lower the keys to all the songs so we mortals can sing them!
Note: If you live too far away to take the class in person, take the class via Zoom! We will videotape all classes.
THURSDAYS
5PM: All Dolly Parton (level 2-3)
New Class! Easy to play intermediate level songs that Dolly Parton has recorded in a wide variety of styles (old-time, country, bluegrass, rock, pop, and R&B). This class will work well for both flatpickers and fingerstyle players. We will use tablature when it is the easiest way to illustrate strum patterns and runs, but all songs will be playable for those who aren't as adept at reading tablature.
6PM: Bluegrass and Country Leads #19
(Songs level 2-3; leads level 3)
New class! Wonderful songs with easy to play leads in Maybelle Carter’s distinctive lead style. The material in this class will be a unique blend of bluegrass, Carter Family songs and newly written songs in these traditions. We will begin with easy to play leads and will gradually introduce more complex leads. All guitar arrangements are written in tablature.
Please Note: All classes meet online via Zoom.
Please note that all of Wednesdays classes are taught both online and in person.
Fall workshops start October 12 and will meet for eight weekly sessions via the Zoom app. (No classes the week of Thanksgiving ) Please note that Wednesday's classes also meet in person at the Windmill School in Portola Valley. These classes cover a wide variety of levels from beginners to advanced. All workshops meet one hour each week. No worries if you miss a class - Carol will be sending video links each week for your classes.
All Workshops are $250. TAKE TWO workshops during the same series, and discount your second class by $10. Please note: If you sign up for more than one class during the same series, you may wish to PayPal Carol directly at carol@carolmccomb.com, or pay via Venmo or check in order to take advantage of your $10 discount. Please see the next column for more information on enrolling for a class.
All workshops are led by Carol McComb, a Bay area singer, songwriter, recording artist and guitarist with over 50 years experience teaching these classes. She has authored a best selling guitar book, written many articles for Acoustic Guitar magazine and taught at many music camps in the U.S. and Canada. She has toured extensively in duos and bands (primarily Kathy & Carol and the Gryphon Quintet) and also with Linda Ronstadt, Mimi Farina and Joan Baez.
How to enroll - Either enroll here online and pay using your Credit Card, or mail your registration with a check to Carol McComb, Guitar Workshops, PO Box 620280, Woodside, CA 94062. Please include the class or classes you wish to take, plus the email address you wish to use for the class so you can receive your PDFs and login info.
You must pre-register for your class so Carol can email you your login code for your class. If you are new to the Zoom online format, we suggest you download the app ahead of time and learn your way around a bit.
Please note that your workshop fees are non-refundable unless your workshop is already full or you cancel two full weeks before the start of the series. You may transfer your fee to another class during the first two weeks of the series.
QUESTIONS? Contact Carol:
Voice: 650-530-2526
Carol McComb
PO Box 620280
Woodside, CA 94062