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Even after 36 Years, there is still no better way to learn music than a week at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop!

Each summer since 1974 the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop has taken place at a sylvan camp/retreat hidden away in the tall pines of Washington State. Each year we prepare a brochure describing the classes and activities that will take place during the upcoming summer. The brochure has grown to be a sixteen-page book. Now you can browse the contents of this year's (and several previous year's) brochures on the World Wide Web... See the Brochures section below. The spirit of that first Guitar Workshop session in 1974 has grown and prospered, and in the process inspired many other camps, conferences, and retreats. The PSGW Events Calendar lists other events that PSGW sponsors throughout the year, and links to several camps inspired by PSGW may be found here. The PSGW Events Calendar The 2010 teacher/class list The 2010 brochure Guitar Camp Registration Form music classes in a wooded setting

"Guitar Camp" -- The One-Week PSGW Summer Sessions

PSGW runs three independent, one-week-long Guitar Workshop sessions each year designed for adults ranging from bare-bones beginners to professional musicians and singers. The teachers and classes are different in each session and although there are a number of classes that will always be given (e.g. beginning guitar), each week develops its own character based on that week's unique teachers, classes, and students. A teacher list is available here. The brochure for each year's summer sessions can be viewed through the PSGW Brochures - Past & Present section.

Location

PSGW is held in a gorgeous wooded setting with a private lake near Bremerton, Washington (about 90 minutes southwest of Seattle by car). A complete set of directions are automatically sent to all students well before camp. Seattle-Tacoma airport (commonly known as "SeaTac", airport code SEA) is the closest major airport. The shuttle bus from the airport to camp takes 60 to 90 minutes.

The PSGW Week in a Nutshell

The first day of camp is set aside for meeting other campers and finding out about the classes being offered during the week. The next five days have classes in the morning and early afternoon, workshops in the late afternoon, and special events in the evening. The last day of camp is devoted to packing up and saying goodbyes.

In addition to the scheduled events, every day has opportunities for jamming, swimming, or just playing hooky and sleeping. Each day's events are listed on large posters in the lodge, so you needn't memorize the schedule.

About Teachers

Aside from its students, PSGW's single strongest asset is its teachers. Teachers are chosen for their ability to communicate their knowledge, enthusiasm, and skill, both in the formal class atmosphere and in the equally-important informal playing situations that abound at camp. Although the teachers provide hand-holding when needed, they also provide space for the student to experiment and make mistakes on his or her own, leading to satisfying growth.

About Classes and Levels

Classes are ongoing for the full week while afternoon workshop sessions are one-shot offerings. Level numbers (arabic numerals) are included with class descriptions to help you decide which classes make sense for you. It helps a lot if everyone in a class plays at about the same level. Feel free to ask for advice from teachers. The ``Meet the Teacher'' sessions on the first day are specially designed for this purpose, but you can ask anytime.

The level numbers correspond to the following guitar skill levels:

LEVEL 1: Just learning the first chords and can't yet change chords without pausing to relocate fingers (level I players are sometimes known as ªbeginnersº).

LEVEL 2: Mostly accompaniment styles and designed for a range of skills.
· At the simpler end, gets from one chord to another without pausing on at least three or four chords. Can't play an F chord. Rhythm is pretty steady as long as the song is familiar. Generally needs chords either written out over the words or else taught to each song.
· At the more advanced end, has met an F chord but shuns its acquaintance; knows a few bass runs or a finger pattern or two; has sometimes played a little with a friend; may be beginning to sort out finger and flatpicking; competent with basic chords: A, Am, B7, C, C7, D, Dm, E, Em, G, and G7. Can sing and strum at the same time easily; learns chords to simple tunes fairly quickly.

LEVEL 3: No problems with F chord, can hear I, IV, and V chords and usually recognizes a circle of fifths. Fingerpicking: plays a few tunes smoothly; usually learns from friends or tablature. If making own arrangements, they are usually fairly simple, with an alternating bass or a few bass runs. Flatpicking: can play a few melodies smoothly clear through and may be starting to improvise leads. Fancy Chord Styles: knows there is life above the fifth fret and has been there with barre or four finger (partial) chords. Keeps steady rhythm.

LEVEL 4: Fingerpicking: works out arrangements or learns complex arrangements from recordings, including moving bass lines and treble harmonies. Flatpicking: plays lead and back-up with steady rhythm, some improvisation, and clear tone. Plays skillfully with others. Fancy Chord Styles: knows there is life above the seventh fret and is on a first-name basis with most of the chords; has been known to use 12 chords where one would do.

PACING: Classes usually pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Classes designated level 1 proceed at the pace of the slowest student in the class -- no one gets left behind. Classes designated level 4, on the other hand, move at the pace of the most capable student in the class -- no one gets bored. Level 2 and 3 classes try to follow the pace of the majority of students in the class.

About Tuition, Registration, and the Small Print

Information about this summer's camp sessions. This year's brochure. Information from the 2009 brochure. Information from the 2008 brochure. Information from the 2007 brochure. Information from the 2006 brochure. Information from the 2005 brochure. Information from the 2004 brochure. Information from the 2003 brochure. Information from the 2002 brochure. Information from the 2001 brochure. Information from the 2000 brochure. Information from the 1999 brochure. Information from the 1998 brochure. Information from the 1997 brochure. Information from the 1996 brochure. Information from the 1995 brochure.

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Send mail to the camp coordinators (Info@psgw.org)

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