This is the beginning gutar...
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
Introduction to Gypsy Jazz Guitar: The popularity of Gypsy Jazz has been growing and a lot of folks would like to be able to get into this style but don't know how to approach it. This class is for intermediate and advanced guitar players (or anyone else who wants to participate). It covers the unique right hand techniques, chords, basic theory behind the music and a few characteristic pieces such as at least one bal musette waltz etc. and an intro to improvisation. Period 3, Ken Bloom