Guitar & Oud

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Beginning Guitar: This class is for the true beginner.  You will learn to tune and play your guitar.  The instructor will present the basics of flatpicking and fingerpicking. Students will learn the five basic chord forms, use of the capo and an assortment of rhythms in order to accompany themselves on songs and to accompany traditional instruments. Your goal will be to learn some easy songs and to accompany some easy instrumentals. Periods 1 and 4  Howie Bursen

All of the following guitar classes require that students have taken or
have the acquired skills of Beginning Guitar, as described above.

Basic Slide Techniques:  This is the introduction to slide guitar that I wish I’d had thirty-eight years ago. One of the dirty little secrets about playing slide guitar is that the sound you mute defines the sound you make.  Hand and guitar posture, controlled slide movement, getting a decent tone and vibrato will all be covered as we proceed through slide in several major and modal open tunings and take a look at solo and ensemble slide playing in standard tuning as well. The music of Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt as well as my arrangements will be featured. You’ll need a slide that can remain on your little finger when you fall asleep in class!  Check out slide choices for acoustic guitar at http://cattailmusic.com. Period 3  Scott Ainslie

Blues: Give Me Your Right Hand:  Making music is a very physical activity:  what your fingers, your thumb and your arm do impacts the sound you make. In this class, we will focus on developing a strong vocabulary for the right hand. Think of it as right hand calisthenics. Just like riding a bicycle, once these muscle patterns are established, they’ll be with you for the rest of your life. If it’s getting your thumb to play that missing bass note, or feeling like your arm is glued to the top of the guitar that’s been bugging you:  this class is it!  Scott will also look at "demystifying major open tunings" Open G, D, A, E, to aid you in your guitar journey with the blues.  Period 2,  Scott Ainslie

Acoustic Blues Guitar & Song: Andy will teach songs, instrumentals, guitar stylings and licks from his vast repertoire of Piedmont, Delta and country blues music. His first-hand musical knowledge of the music of Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Andersen, Honeyboy Edwards, Rev. Dan Smith, Jim Brewer, Daniel Womack and others will be shared with students. Andy’s infectious and energetic love of music will inspire you. Period 1, Andy Cohen

Understanding the Fretboard:  This class will explain a simple method for learning the notes up and down the whole fretboard on any fretted, stringed instrument including guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele and fretted bass. If you are new to your instrument or if you’ve been playing for awhile and have blind spots in places this class can help you. We will take the often overwhelming task of learning all the notes and make it manageable by using scales and simple melodies that are already in your ears and your brain. Period 1, Christopher James

Jazz Guitar Topics - Versatile & Easy:  Did you ever entertain playing jazz or swing guitar but hesitate because you thought it too difficult?  Well, relax and jump in. This class is an introduction to  3 note "big band" chords; and an introduction to  improvising over chord changes. We'll look at chords by learning a family of  chord voicings and applying them to songs such as  Honeysuckle Rose, I Got Rhythm and others; and we'll approach improvising by looking at what is probably the most common chord sequence in jazz, the II/V progression; learning by example through compositions of  Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and others.  Period 1, Joe Selly

Blues and the Electric Guitar:  In this class we’ll acquire the basic skills to organize the fingerboard and learn to play in the styles of  B.B. King and Albert King. It’s easier than you think! We’ll also discuss the techniques of many other favorite players and how they get their sounds. The instructor will take a look at each student’s guitar and perform a basic setup to optimize playability, and offer lots of advice concerning amps, effects pedal, etc. - whatever you want to know! Students are encouraged to bring a small amp to class, along with a tuner, guitar cable and extension cord. Period 3, Harry Orlove

Brasilian Guitar & Song (Bossa Nova): This course is designed to give students a basic musical knowledge and appreciation of Brazilian music. The class will begin with a short introduction to Brazilian culture and the history of Brazilian music. Students will sing and learn the accompaniment of the captivating Bossa Nova and will learn the basic rhythmic patterns used in the guitar accompaniment of Bossa Nova. They will learn the lyrics of well known and most popular Bossa Nova songs in Portuguese or English. Students will also have the opportunity to learn other traditional rhythmic patterns used in Brazilian guitar styles.  Period 1, Patricio Acevedo

Open D Guitar Tuning for Accompanying Celtic & Nordic Music: This class will focus on playing rhythm guitar to accompany melody instruments playing Celtic and Nordic music. Students will learn how to tune the guitar and use open D fingerings and chord patterns to provide a tasteful complement to melody instruments. Rhythms and base-runs will be explored to accentuate the pulse of this exciting dance music. Period 3,  Ken & Ryan Koons

Latin American Guitar:  Advanced Beginners This class is for those who have always wanted to learn the fundamentals of Latin American guitar but had no one with whom to study. Starting with the basics of guitar holding, picking and strumming, then emphasizing some structural similarities and differences in traditional Mexican and other Latin American musical styles, you will progress to learning those basic techniques and standard tunes or styles that you’ve always wanted to play. Bring tape recorder. Period 2, Tomas Montoya

Harmonica & Guitar - Rack & Box:   Jesse Fuller, Doc Watson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and yes, Guy Davis are all guitar and "rack" harmonica players. They play both instruments at the same time with the assistance of a harmonica rack that goes around the musician's neck, holding the harmonica in place, leaving both hands free to play the guitar or other stringed instrument at the same time.  This calls for a "no-hands" technique on the harmonica that demands that the player not rely on cupping hands around the harmonica in order to vary tone and style.  Join Guy Davis in this free-wheeling workshop that will leave you with a few new songs and the ability to play harmonica along with your guitar or other stringed instrument.  Students should purchase a harmonica rack from their local music store before coming to class.  Students will need a diatonic key of “A” harmonica. Bring others if you have them. Harmonicas will be available for purchase in the Common Ground on the Hill store.  Period 4, Guy Davis

 

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