2004

Bruce Clausen

Soloing on Guitar (I):
Improvised solos on basic blues, country and swing tunes can be developed from modal scales, melodies, and chord progressions. We will work through some familiar tunes by ear and apply each of these approaches. This will involve a small amount of theory – participants should know a few scales.

Mandolin:
All levels welcome. Topics may include left and right hand technique for scales, chords and arpeggios; melody playing in single notes, tremolo and double stops; chord progressions and strums. We will work through some familiar tunes with lead and rhythm parts plus solo breaks.

Steve Dawson

Blues Slide (B/I):
We’ll be covering the basic right and left hand techniques, simple improvising and the repertoire of country and delta blues slide players like Blind Willie Johnson, Tampa Red, Robert Johnson and others. Past slide experience is a plus, but not essential. Bring a slide!

Hawaiian Guitar (B/I):
In this class, we’ll look at some of the basic techniques involved in playing lap-style Hawaiian guitar. We’ll be focussing on repertoire from the 1920’s and 30’s era of the instrument (pre-Don Ho Hawaiian, I like to call it). A lap-style guitar of some sort is essential for this class, as is a steel bar for playing slide.

Colleen Eccleston

Songwriting (B):
When they work, songs are greater than the sum of their parts. We’ll see how these parts work and build towards the final effect, and also examine the creative idea and how our choices affect its expression. Learn to think out of the box and capture your ideas in song.

Developing a Songwriting Toolkit (I):
Which comes first, the rhythm or the melody, the lyrics or the rhyme scheme? We’ll focus on the musicality, rhythm and power of language, and how these affect melody, guitar parts, singing and arrangement. If you’re stuck, we’ll give some new vantage points from which to approach your songs.

Michael Friedman

Adventures in Altered Guitar Tunings (B/I and I/A):
Techniques for successfully mastering the playing of your guitar in anything but standard tuning. Includes some right hand techniques and applied theory.

Lauri Lyster

Beginner Percussion:
We’ll deal with the basics of rhythmic work – keeping good time, subdivisions, syncopation etc. We’ll meet a variety of percussion instruments, working on correct technique, idiomatic patterns and tasteful accompaniment. We’ll also touch upon hand drumming and have fun playing grooves in an ensemble. Bring percussion instruments if you have them.

Intermediate Percussion:
We’ll build upon and strengthen your rhythmic knowledge, working with polyrhythms and hand vs. hand independence. A variety of small percussion instruments will be introduced, as well as hand and stick drums, and after we’ve covered the basics of these instruments, including technique and idiomatic patterns, we’ll play together. Bring percussion instruments if you have them.

Sam Masich

Secondary Chords (B/I):
An excellent foundation for writing songs and accompaniment, this class will deal with easy, secondary chord shapes to quickly extend your understanding and ability with simple primary chords (open C, G, Am etc.). Using simple shapes, we will explore the missing links which baffle many intermediate level guitarists. Bring paper, pencil & guitar.

Playing Along (B/I):
Ever feel lost in a jamming circle? Accompanying other singers or melodic instruments can provide novice and intermediate players with some challenges. This class is useful for those who want to get in there at jamming circles but don¹t know how and for those who want to provide support for other players. Bring paper, pencil & guitar.

John Miller

Composing Jazz Tunes (I/A):
We will discuss compositional tools and styles employed in the composition of Jazz tunes. Topics include Blues in Jazz, modes, modulations, melodic development, etc.

Arranging Jazz Standards for Solo Guitar (A):
We will work with several well and lesser known tunes and see what is involved in arranging them for solo guitar so that the chordal sense of the song is preserved while melody is emphasized simultaneously.

Earle Peach

Beginner’s Harmony:
Have you always wondered how those clever harmony singers do it? Now learn how! We’ll be taking a practical approach starting with rounds, that will have you making up harmonies to tunes you know by the end of the second day.

Gospel Singing:
There’s more to Gospel than meets the ear: unique ways of learning, harmonizing and sharing. The aim is to learn these special qualities of the music, as well as some beautiful, lively, spirit-based music. No music reading required.

Andreas Schuld

Introductory Improvisation (B/I):
This class covers the basics of improvisation. Simple tools are offered enabling the students to solo effectively in a variety of musical situations – be it Blues, Country, Jazz or Folk. Basic chord/scale relationships are explained.

Licks & Tricks (I):
This class opens a bag full of tricks and licks for the intermediate player – great rhythm grooves and right hand techniques, licks, shortcuts, chop-builders, soloing tips, and much much more.

Jennifer Scott

Vocal Technique:
Learn about body awareness, the mechanics of vocalizing, “counting breaths” breathing method, and basic comfort in singing alone and with others. Each class will involve body and vocal “warm-ups” and simple repertoire learned in class. Handouts provided & taping of classes is highly recommended!

Sing Like a Pro:
Tune up your existing repertoire, learn some new tunes (variety of styles) and become the successful singer you were meant to be! We will practise the methods of a working singer: how to direct other musicians, count in a tune professionally, and be confident in a solo situation. Class size will be limited to 10 students. Handouts and some repertoire will be provided. Students will be required to have two songs ready to work on in class.

Nancy Thorwardson

Ukulele (B/I):
Looking to add a new sound to your session? Try the ukulele! The instrument whose popularity is truly sweeping the nation, this little gem can get toes a-tappin’ and lips a-flappin’ in no time! Gather up all your ukes and together we will explore chord and strum patterns and “uke it up” on tons of tunes, both old and new.

Swing-Style Rhythm Guitar (B/I):
Expand your playing with this lively guitar style that sounds great with standard and western swing music. Learn swing chord forms and strum patterns, explore swing chord progressions and substitutions, and grow familiar with reading and playing from chord charts. Become a strong yet subtle rhythm guitar player, and you will be welcome in any jam session!

Barry Truter

Fingerpicking Patterns (B and I):
We’ll explore a variety of fingerstyle guitar patterns to add color and texture to your arrangements. Beginner level will use well-known songs to demonstrate practical techniques for song accompaniment. Intermediate level will emphasize weaving melody lines and fill-ins around rhythm chords to spice up the effect.