2012

Keith Bennett

Song Arranging:
Arranging your tune for performance. In this seminar participants will bring finished songs that they wish to perform and we will discuss creative ideas to arrange the song to try and make it more interesting. We will look at intros, endings, song form and possible solos. Each participant should bring 2 performance ready songs to class.

Beginners Harmonica:
Participants will learn the basic accompaniment for blues as well as blues scales for soloing. Topics covered will include: holding the harp, comping, finding the blues scale on the harp, bending notes, how to solo, tricks and harp maintenance. Participants must bring a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C (Hohner “Special 20” recommended).

Marie Eaton

Songwriting:
Songwriting is a quest to describe the sacred, the comical, or the singular within everyday life. We’ll explore the tools of songwriting through a series of fun (and maybe a little risky) exercises that will lead toward creating songs.

Neil Fraser

Advanced Improvisation (I/A):
Explore single note soloing over jazz tunes using scales, triads and arpeggios to create substitutions that will add colour to your playing. Knowledge of a scale system (for example, the C-A-G-E-D system) would definitely be an asset.

Advanced Jazz Chords (I/A):
This seminar will explore how to create interesting chords while supporting a soloist by: manipulating the basic inversions of the chords; using chord scales; 1/2 step approaches, and other devices. Pre-requisite: knowledge of inversions of min7, maj7, dom7 chords on the top four strings.

Rueben Gurr

Licks & Tricks (I):
Explore approaches to later blues and rock influences; B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry and even some Clapton concentrating on one or two seminal lix from each, how to use these phrases as a basis for fun improvisation. For exploring Hammers, Pull and Bends, an unwound third string would be an asset.

Wide Open Guitar (I):
Open Tunings – the door to creativity! We will explore Open G for the folkies and Keith Richards fans; DADGAD for the sophisticated songwriter; DADF#AD for the blues; Drop D for the Celts; Open A Minor for the Mysterious; Drop C because we can; and a look at double capoing with the spider variable capo.

Guido Heistek

Ukulele Band Shop (All Levels):
This seminar will be taught in G, C, E, A tuning. We will explore playing as an ensemble with different parts assigned based on level. We will work on strumming, as well as single note playing as well as some fingerstyle work. All levels are welcome, but some guitar or ukulele experience is strongly recommended. If you have a ukulele lying around the house bring it along to camp!

Self-Accompaniment on Guitar (B/I):
Many people find singing and playing at the same time challenging. This low-key seminar will explore strategies for working on self-accompaniment including strumming and finger-picking by ear, speak-singing, and pattern simplification. We will also work on taking grooves and rhythms from recordings and converting them into strums or fingerstyle patterns of our own.

Peter Langston

Early Rock, Unplugged! (B/I):
It’s acoustic but rockin’! We’ll sing and play great tunes from early rock legends like the Beatles, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, the Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, and even some Reggae — Rock On! All instruments welcome, especially voices.

It Sounds So Sweet! — Jug Band Music (B/I):
Learn why jug bands from the early black jug bands to the 60s revival white bands bragged “It’s hard to beat!” It’s easy to play and fun, too! You can join the Georgia Strait Jug Stompers as a singer, guitarist, jug-player, kazooist, or… you name it; all are welcome!

Lauri Lyster

Beginner percussion, or “There’s more to life than the egg shaker!”
This beginners seminar will start with some basic rhythmic practice, which we’ll then apply to tastefully fit in to various styles, including latin, swing, pop etc. We’ll use some of the more common percussion instruments that you’ll encounter, including bells and clave, shakers, tambourine, hand drums (ie. conga, dumbek and djembe) and snare drum. Bring percussion instruments if you have them.

It’s all in the Groove:
In this intermediate seminar, we’ll analyze various recorded grooves, and decide what/when/how to add percussion. This seminar is all about creating a groove and listening carefully to the ‘track’, and/or other musicians, to see what ‘fits’. Bring favourite recordings and percussion instruments if you have them.

Dave Paterson

Acoustic Slide Guitar (B/I):
Explore the guitar style considered closest to the human voice! Using various tunings and techniques the slide blues of masters Bukka White, Robert Johnson and others will be examined. Steel or glass bottleneck slide required.

Acoustic Blues Guitar (B/I):
From Mississipi Delta to Eastcoast Piedmont, explore a variety of “country blues” finger picking styles. Learn picking patterns and chord techniques used by such legends as Mississippi John Hurt, Blind boy Fuller and others.

Karin Plato

Song Catchers:
We’ll have fun singing in a group, exploring harmonies, unison and rhythm. We’ll use various approaches: some improv, some by ear, some with sheet music.

The Art of Singing:

This is a technique seminar for vocalists. We’ll concentrate on throat ease, the “singing breath”, exploring and expanding your vocal range and color with songs & exercises.

Pharis Romero

Old Time Guitar Technique (B/I):
Learn back up techniques and styles for a variety of old time fiddle tunes. If you know some basic chords and have an interest in learning back-up guitar for string band tunes and songs, you’re ready for this class. We’ll work on the boom-chuck rhythm, chord choices, bass notes and runs, keeping time, tuning, and learning to listen.

Old Time Songs (All Levels):
Bring your instrument – or just your voice instrument! – for an old time song class. We’ll learn songs, and some stylings that are important, from artists like the Carter Family, Uncle Dave Macon, the Skillet Lickers, and other more obscure groups like the Hackberry Ramblers, Dewey & Gassie Bassett, and The Southern Melody Boys. Songs books will be provided for this class.

Don Share

Bluegrass Guitar Technique:
This seminar will work on helping guitar players to produce the bluegrass sound. We’ll work on basic rhythm, bluegrass “punctuation,” runs that connect chords, and rhythm groove. We’ll learn to play with singers and to support instrumentalists. We’ll work on these skills by playing and singing a lot, and learning some bluegrass repertoire. Having fun is mandatory.

Vocal Bliss:
Duet Harmony and Beyond (with Sue Thompson): Singers: Come learn our proven method for figuring out vocal harmony by ear. No note reading, no bogging down in music theory—you’ll learn to hear harmony intuitively. You’ll also learn techniques, licks, and tricks to blend better and find your part faster. We’ll sing duets and maybe even get into some trios. Prerequisite—ability to sing a melody reasonably in tune.

Sue Thompson

Get Started with Lead Guitar Flatpicking:
Folk, Bluegrass and Country:
Learn how to boost your fun quotient in jams by adding your own guitar breaks. We’ll find easy ways to create and play melody-based solos on some favorite songs. We’ll also learn techniques to enhance tone and stay relaxed as we play. Lots of playing in class in a low-key, supportive atmosphere. Prerequisite—ability to hold your flat pick and change chords in rhythm.

Vocal Bliss:
Duet Harmony and Beyond (with Don Share): Singers: Come learn our proven method for figuring out vocal harmony by ear. No note reading, no bogging down in music theory—you’ll learn to hear harmony intuitively. You’ll also learn techniques, licks, and tricks to blend better and find your part faster. We’ll sing duets and maybe even get into some trios. Prerequisite—ability to sing a melody reasonably in tune.

Barry Truter

Fingerstyle Accompaniment (B/I):
Fingerstyle patterns to “lively-up” your song accompaniment! Using well-known songs we’ll step through a variety of picking patterns (arpeggios, calypso, alternating bass, ragtime syncopation) as well as some percussive techniques. We’ll also explore weaving in single notes and harmony lines to create intros, fill-ins, turnarounds, and simple instrumental breaks. Return to top of page