1999 SESSION 1
Saturday, July 24th Friday, July 30th
Classes listed by teacher (and subject to change without notice).
Songwriting Solo (2-4) - We'll stoke the creative furnaces and we'll fill a songwriter's toolbox, discussing lyrics, melody, harmony, grooves and song forms. Who said songwriting isn't like welding? Let's have a blast writing some songs this summer.
Co-writing Songs (2-4) - With each other, we'll practice and explore some co-writing techniques. Other collaborative teams and their processes will be discussed. This workshop will be a chance to doctor our songs, too.
Introduction to the Flatpick (2) - We'll start with the basics: how to hold and maneuver that little piece of plastic, pick direction, the boom-chuck rhythm, simple bass runs, and even a melody or two.
Uke Fun! (3) - The venerable uke is back with a vengeance; come ride its current wave of popularity. Learn simple chord forms, a handful of right-hand strums, and a lot of great songs. Bring your own uke/banjo-uke or borrow one of ours.
Sideperson Strategies (3-4) - We will discuss and experiment with different ways of approaching accompaniment to a singer/guitarist; the role of a sideperson; and general manners when it comes to backing up others. Lots of playing in this class.
Theory Applied To The Guitar (3-4) - Through the use of 5 major scale patterns (the C-A-G-E-D system), we'll learn the fretboard 5 frets at a time. Expand your chord vocabulary, play above the 5th fret, and understand the guitar neck.
Beginning with Fingerpicking (2) - Designed for beginners who want to learn solid principles, this class will help develop strength and efficiency in both hands while exploring tone production, very simple picking patterns and some basic chords.
Classical Technique for Folkies (2-3) - This class will introduce the basics of classical guitar technique to assist players of any style expand their right and left hand facility. Classical techniques will be demystified for use in your own music.
Styles of Accompaniment (2-3) - How do we accompany a song? Does it need an accompaniment? When is simple better? When does complicated work? Bring songs and questions. We'll also try a few accompaniments on familiar songs.
Tunings (3-4) - In this class we'll explore what happens to a guitar when one or more strings are tuned up or down. When is this useful and when is it not? We'll try some "standard" alternate tunings as well as some more unusual ones.
Jug Band Music (1-3) - It's easy to play and it's fun! Learn why "It sounds so sweet. Aaah, it's hard to beat." Join the ULFRJS (Upper Lake Flora Ragtime Jug Stompers) as a singer, guitarist, jug-player, kazooist, or... you name it; all are welcome.
Vocal Trios and Beyond (1-4) - We'll learn multipart vocal arrangements for songs of many genres - from jazz and swing to country and cowboy. We'll learn all the parts entirely by ear. Our goal is one or two multipart vocal arrangements a day.
Country Blues (3) - This class will teach the basics of syncopated picking techniques and how to apply them to the many subtle styles within ragtime and country blues music. The repertoire of the masters (Davis, Blake, Broonzy, etc.) will be our guide.
Fretboard Logic (4) - As you're learning the basic chord and bar forms, we'll explore expanding and "breaking down" the harmonies to other parts of the fretboard in ways that are practical and simple. You'll learn some great tunes in the process.
Camp Instrumentalist
Beginning Guitar (1) - This is a class for people who have never played before or who would like a new start. We'll work on fundamentals of tone production, economy of motion in the left hand, and learning enough to chords to play songs.
Tunewriting (3-4) - We'll work on different methods to generate ideas for melodies and experiment with different ways to harmonize the same melody. We'll also compose melodies in particular styles: e.g. blues, waltz, modal folksong, swing.
Instigator
Brazilian guitar (3-4) - We'll get an authentic rhythmic feel and learn a tune in each of five styles (bossa nova, samba, baiao, frevo and choro). By week's end you will be swinging like a hammock between two palm trees in a tropical breeze.
Swing Lead (3-4) - Learn the scales,arpeggios and chords that will enable you to solo over swing tunes. We'll look at some standard tunes and apply these concepts along with major and minor conversion to give you confidence when soloing.
Tunes on the Mountain Dulcimer (1-3) - I'll teach tunes in several different modes and tunings. Some will use the older modal drone sound of the dulcimer and some will use chords. Players of other instruments are welcome to sit in.
Duets and trios for Mountain Dulcimer (2-4) - Explore finding harmony parts and counterpoint to singers and instrumental tunes. If participants have tunes they already play, we can divide into groups and work out second and third parts.
Repertoire Round - up (1-3) - African Highlife, Native Chants, Blues Roots - I can hardly wait to share these interesting, wild tunes with you. From the truly eclectic to some standard (but obscure ) goodies, this class will be an interesting ride!
Vocal Technique (1-4) - In this class we'll have fun with some great exercises, deep, healthy breathing and some easy tunes learned by ear. There will be time for individual attention - but the focus here will be group development.
Beginning Improvisation (3) - Learn to take a simple melody and explore different ways of developing new ideas within the chord structure of the tune. Swing tunes will be the idiom explored but the ideas can be used in any genre.
Introduction to Swing (3) - We'll use swing and western-swing tunes as a vehicle for learning closed-position chords and basic swing-guitar rhythms. Learning to play in many keys will be a priority.
Creating a Fingerstyle Accompaniment for the Voice (3) - We'll begin by exploring some arranging ideas and studying examples of fingerstyle accompaniments. Later in the week, we'll try out these ideas by creating our own arrangements.
Beyond I-IV-V (3) - We'll examine the construction of complex chords, chord function, the modes, and modulation. There will be songs with each theory concept, so that you can hear how it in context. Questions and jokes will be encouraged.
Sundanese Gamelan I (1-4) - Gamelan is a collection of Indonesian bronze gongs and xylophones. This class will be a hands-on introduction to a cyclic repertoire deeply linked to the natural world; learn to play, laugh at your mistakes, and develop a taste for spicy ginger candy.
Sundanese Gamelan II (3-4) - This accelerated gamelan class is for folks who have played percussion instruments well, studied gamelan before, composed a concerto by the age of six, or already developed a taste for spicy ginger candy.
Beginner's Bass and Low Note Appreciation (1-2) - We'll learn how to hold, carry, look cool with, and even play the "Doghouse." By the end of the week you'll even know how to pluck some simple tunes (perennial favorites and requests a must).
Cool grooves for Bass (3-4) - This class will examine grooves (feels and styles) that the amateur or the pro could encounter in a band situation. Throughout the week we'll look at different examples using tunes we're all familiar with. Some hard work, but lots of fun!
© 1999 Peter Langston & PSGW