List of Classes

Banjo, the Next Step (Level 2), Gerald Jones: This course is designed for (1) people who are just starting out, (2) who have started playing the banjo and stopped out of frustration, and (3) those who might be afraid that they’re not good enough to hang with the rest of the class. The course features the basic skills necessary that you need to develop to play the banjo well. Basic left hand techniques like hammering on and pulling off a string. Basic right hand techniques like how to place and hold your right hand and how to anchor the ring and pinky fingers. He’ll also cover the three basic right hand rolls, basic rhythm (vamping) and timing and tone concepts, basic chord forms in the key of G, and common tunes to help pull it all together.

Banjo Techniques (Level 3), Matt Flinner: Start with some standard bluegrass songs. You know the chords already, and you know the patterns that you play on them when, say, accompanying a singer. Now let's look at some new approaches to those backups. Let's find some new fills and build some new small-and progressively larger-patterns that can be eventually used for improvisation. And while you're at it, let's discuss some techniques for melodic playing, and generally explore new ways of doing what you already do.

Advanced Banjo (Level 4), Gerald Jones: The advanced banjo player will explore the concepts of good musicianship (good listening skills) and the Five Ts: Taste, Touch, Tone, Timing and Tuning. You’ll cover playing with other instruments and vocalists in a band setting, and also in a jam setting when there is more than one banjo playing. You’ll learn how to play solid backup banjo behind another banjo player who is playing a lead, and you’ll cover harmony and counter melodies. And you’ll have fun doing it.

Bass

Upright Bass (Level 1-up), Cary Black: This class will focus on ways to develop efficient, comfortable technique, with emphasis on playing in tune and with precise timing. We'll learn the role of the bass in several roots music styles, listening for the appropriate note choices, and learning how to find them in various locations on the fingerboard. We will study when and how to include passing tones, neighbor tones, arpeggios, and scale runs to make our bass parts more dynamic and supportive.

Bass Guitar (Level 1-up), Cary Black: Here we address the special challenges involved in making the electric bass blend well in acoustic music settings. While learning the role of the bass, we will feature concepts and techniques specific to the bass guitar, and apply them to roots music styles including folk, bluegrass, country, blues, and swing. Topics will also include instrument setup, amplification, and acoustic “etiquette.”

Musicianship for Bassists (Level 3 and 4; upright and electric bass; open to audit for anyone), Cary Black: We'll look at some ideas for expanding our musical horizons, to enhance our enjoyment and progress as bassists. Areas we'll work on: practical applications of chord/scale theory; hearing chord progressions; ensemble skills; rhythm and syncopation; chart notation; walking bass; and soloing.

Fiddle

Intro to Fiddle (Level 1), Marianne Danehy: Learn the basics of playing the fiddle in this course designed for beginners. You’ll learn to hold the fiddle and bow, how to tune the instrument, and how to produce good tone. Then we’ll move on to single octave scales, controlling longer bows, the standard shuffle, and simple fiddle songs in the keys of D and A. You’ll also learn the basics of note reading.

Become One with Your Fiddle (Level 2), Kailin Yong: This is essentially a 5-day crash course on how to play the fiddle. We will touch on everything from how to hold your instrument, basic left and right hand techniques and how to develop them organically, to general tips and advice on how to practice without "hurting yourself". The main focus of this class is to give an overview of the myriad possibilities of the fiddle and how to develop a connection with your instrument, regardless of age or skill level. At least a half hour each day will be dedicated to a Q & A type discussion/clinic so we can explore more in depth specific techniques that students are interested in pursuing.

Canadian Old-Time fiddle (Level 2), Shane Cook: Fiddle music was brought to Canada by those who settled here, including the French, Irish, Scottish, Scandinavians, Germans, East Europeans and Americans. Some of this music has remained relatively unchanged, but much of it has evolved with the passage of time and the intermingling of styles and traditions. One result is a national style of dance music known as Canadian old-time fiddle. This tradition includes jigs, reels, waltzes, polkas, two-steps, clogs, waltz-clogs and rags. In this class you will learn several Canadian old-time tunes and look closely at the bowings that make this music so danceable. Bringing a recording device is recommended though not required.

Fiddle Without Boundaries (Level 3), Kailin Yong: The fiddle is one of the most versatile instruments. Its beauty and affinity to the human voice has been widely revered and recognized for thousands of years around the world. We can find it in jazz clubs, bluegrass jams, Indian ragas, gypsy caravan rides through France and Romania, the Carnegie Hall, the Appalachian Foothills, in the Middle East, in Scandinavia, weaving stories of love, heartbreak and joy of the people, for the people. This class seeks to explore the commonality between different folk music from around the world and help illuminate the similarities between each culture in hopes of inspiring peace, love and friendship. Come explore how by adding little slides and spices and trills and turns will take us magically from one country to another exotic landscape. Bring your axe and we will journey through time, space and cultures together!

Irish Fiddle (Level 3), Shane Cook: This class will focus on the jigs, reels, hornpipes and polkas that make up the dance music of Ireland. While learning some great Irish tunes we will cover the basics of style and how to make your fiddling sound more Irish. The daily lessons will cover bowing, the proper use of ornaments, such as rolls and cuts, and also how to use melodic variations to keep your playing interesting yet traditional at the same time. In addition, you will learn basic etiquette for joining in an Irish session and how to get the most out of this invaluable learning experience. Bringing a recording device is recommended though not required.

Fiddle Talk: Mystery of Improvisation Unlocked (Level 4), Kailin Yong: Many of us find the word "improvisation" which essentially means "making stuff up" to be a concept that is at once exotic and cool, as well as terrifying and unattainable. This class seeks to unlock the mystery of how to improvise on your instrument using an approach that is akin to our daily communication through words and gestures. We will work on creating music "on the fly" as a group and individually. We will also touch on improvisation within certain musical styles and breaking it down into smaller elemental building blocks.

Bluegrass Fiddle (Level 4), Shane Cook: Bluegrass is a blend of old-time fiddling and country music, gospel music blues, swing and more. It was invented in the 1940s by such folks as Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs and Ralph and Carter Stanley. In this class you will learn several tunes and look at the chords that these melodies are built on. We will explore ways to vary the melody and improvise new melodies altogether. We will also apply common bluegrass bowing patterns, swing rhythms and double stops. Bringing a recording device is recommended though not required.

Guitar

Which End Do I Blow Into? (Level 1), Flip Breskin: Take just 3 chords, plus 100 great songs. Add the tools needed to fit them together by ear: hearing rhythms, predicting chord changes, singing and playing at the same time, getting the most out of practice time.

Intro to Fingerpicking (Level 2), Doug Smith: You’ll learn basic picking patterns and get your right hand going. You’ll start with basic bass/chord, bass/arpeggio patterns with your thumb and fingers, and you’ll be amazed to make some very beautiful music from techniques that are within your grasp. Doug will work with you on making your strings ring clearly, clean articulation, good rhythm, and many more fundamentals that will benefit all aspects of your playing. You should know the chords G, C, D, A, E, F, Em, Am and Dm.

Guitar, the Next Step (Level 2), Tim May: You can get around some chords, but transitions can still be a bit, um, exciting. Tim will show you tips for moving easily from one chord to the next. He’ll also help you establish good right and left hand techniques and show you how to achieve the best tone. You’ll look at some basic rhythm techniques, including shuffles and waltzes. You’ll also get an introduction to basic lead melody playing via the style of Maybelle Carter, which incorporates melody and accompaniment at the same time.

Intro to Swing Rhythm (Level 3), Cyd Smith: Learn to play moveable 3-note chords all over the guitar neck. We'll focus on learning some basic chord shapes and how to make your swing rhythms really swing. And we'll learn some classic swing tunes to put your new chords to use.

Intermediate Fingerstyle Guitar (Level 3), Doug Smith: In this course, you’ll expand on normal pattern picking, play some more advanced arpeggios and add melody notes, and possibly venture into the Travis pattern. Doug will have exercises to help you develop your techniques in the right hand, and scales for left-hand finger independence. You’ll also look at ways of identifying technical roadblocks, and of isolating and improving your technique.

Soloing for Intermediate Guitarists (Level 3), Raul Reynoso: You can play some chords and have played some tunes, but haven’t really ventured into the world of soloing. In this class, Raul will get you started on improvisation. You’ll work on learning the chord tones and passing tones which are available based on the harmonic context (the chords). Raul will discuss building a library of ready-to-play riffs that you can work into your playing. It’ll be hands-on and you’ll have a chance—if you want—to try out your riffs in a low-pressure, mistake-friendly environment.

Intermediate Bluegrass Guitar (Level 3), Tim May: Bluegrass is a hard-driving style that really challenges your playing; if you can play it, you can play several other styles more easily. Tim will show you some left and right hand workouts that will improve your lead playing and prepare you for the wonderful world of improvisation. You’ll also explore the concepts of crosspicking and double-stops, and learn to add a little spice to the way you approach solos for vocal songs.

Advanced Fingerstyle Guitar (Level 4), Doug Smith: In this class, you’ll work on some more complex pieces, get new ideas for right- and left-hand articulations, including tapping, and explore more “outside” tonalities. You’ll also take a good look at technical barriers that are keeping you from hitting your next level.

Soloing for Advanced Guitarists (Level 4), Raul Reynoso: This is an extension of Soloing for Intermediate Guitarists, and is our only class that requires audition. You’ll look at some more techniques such as sweep picking, arpeggios, and more patterns that you can incorporate into a variety of situations.

Advanced Flatpicking Guitar (Level 4), Tim May: Tim will give you some workouts that will improve your speed and clarity. You’ll study advanced crosspicking and left hand techniques to help you move up and down the fingerboard more efficiently, as well as improve your improvisation skills.

Ergonomics for Musicians (Level 1-4), Flip Breskin: Your real instrument is your own body. It all starts inside your skin. Now add one instrument, your brain, your wide open heart, and find ways to teach (and learn from) your body as gently and efficiently as possible. Avoid repetitive motion injuries by understanding what happens from your fingertips on back. Practice doesn't make Perfect, it makes Permanent; you can practice less and still learn more. You’ll play every chord a million times, so set yourself up to be safe! Listen to your hands. Relax. This class works well for all levels of players, from real beginners through professionals. Take an hour a day for a week to rework your form for a lifetime of playing.

Mandolin

Intro to Mandolin (Level 1), Dave Firestine: We will cover all the basics: listening, rhythm, relaxing, how to hold the mandolin comfortably, holding the pick, tuning, pick direction, rhythm, fun ways to practice, playing finger friendly chords, left and right hand technique and coordination, more rhythm, and playing (music) with others. The goal for each student will be different according to his or her needs. We will seek out bad habits and destroy them, and we will learn Dave’s First Rule of Rhythm, and the Universal chord

Mandolin, the Next Step (Level 2), Matt Flinner: This is for players who know a few chords, can strum along with a few songs and can maybe play a few melodies. We'll look at a few easy standard bluegrass and fiddle tunes, and work on switching back and forth between lead and back up as one would in a jam situation. We'll also look at some exercises for the right and left hands to help with tone, rhythm and volume.

Irish Mandolin, Techniques and Tunes (Level 3), Dave Firestine: In this class we will explore the mystery of playing Irish tunes on the Mandolin. We will work mainly with jigs and reels as we learn about picking techniques, Irish ornaments, and what makes an Irish tune sound Irish. We will learn the standard picking patterns for jigs and reels, many ways to play “triplets” and even more ways to have fun with these great melodies.

Intermediate Mandolin (Level 3), Gerald Jones: We'll look at some standard bluegrass songs and learn how to play melodies using “position playing” and double stops. We'll move these positions to various keys to give you a better knowledge of the fingerboard and more flexibility in coming up with melodies on the spot.

Advanced Mandolin (Level 4), Matt Flinner: You'll learn ways to more fully exploit the mandolin in its dual roles as a solo and accompaniment instrument. Topics covered, skill levels permitting, will be improvisation and creating variations to common tunes, exercises for improving tone, volume and speed, and some theory-based exercises (knowledge of music theory is not a prerequisite). We'll also talk about ways of practicing to make the most of your time.

Everything else

Harmony Singing (Level All), Penny Nichols: Have you ever wanted to learn to sing in harmony better, how to do it and where it is appropriate in a song? You will have a chance to experience for yourself the fun and unique qualities of singing in harmony and how to begin to master the skills needed to sing in harmony well. You will learn listening techniques, how to recognize chordal relationships and how harmony fits into a melodic landscape. Join us for a fun and empowering experience!

Music Theory for Folk Musicians (Level All), Cyd Smith: How does music theory apply to your instrument? We'll start with scales, move on to chord progressions, play with colorful notes you can add to make your basic chords more interesting, and explore how theory can improve your listening, arranging, and improvising skills.

Songwriting: the Intersection of Inspiration, Skill Development and Focus (Level All), Penny Nichols: If you have an interest in learning to write your own songs, or if you have been doing it for years, join Penny for a closer look at how to create a melody, and how to build a lyric. We'll experiment with choruses and bridges, with rhyme schemes and genres. We'll talk about how to silence The Critic Within and when (on occasion) to listen to it. We will be doing exercises to bring out the songwriter in each one of us and who knows, by the end of the class, you too may have a new song to sing!

Vocal Technique (Level All), Penny Nichols: Penny will be teaching basic singing skills for anyone who would like to explore singing in a relaxed and friendly setting. You will learn exercises to relax your body and prepare for singing, to work with pitch perception and tone as well as exercises to strengthen your voice and to use your body to resonate sound. You will leave with a whole new set of tools to help you become the singer you want to be!