1999 SESSION 3
Sunday, August 8th - Saturday, August 14th
Classes listed by teacher (and subject to change without notice).
Easy FIngerstyle (2) - In this class you'll learn how to make your playing sound smoother and more professional, even if you're just a beginner, and some easy licks that sound cool and complex. We'll discuss Paul Simon's polyrhythmic accompaniment on Scarborough Fair and how to play the Peanuts Theme.
Guitar Guitar Guitar! (3-4) - This highly individualized class will explore techniques and tricks to becoming a better musician. We'll learn easy arrangements and accompaniments as well as some advanced harmonic techniques. We'll also explore "How to Survive in a Jam Session." Handouts will be provided.
Beginning Upright Bass (1-2) - Topics covered in this class include getting a good sound with minimum stress, finding the notes on the fingerboard, keeping steady time, playing in tune, and playing appropriately (while having fun) in a variety of musical settings.
Walking Bass (2-3) - We will study the principles and techniques of creative improvised walking bass in blues, country, pop, and swing music. Prerequisite: facility with major scales and arpeggios.
Breaking Into The Blues (2-3) - Learning blues tunes is a great way to diversify your repertoire. We'll study a variety of styles, and learn chords, turnarounds, and licks that will add a new dimension to your playing. Class time will be spent playing the songs so we can master them and capture the rhythmic pulse of the blues.
Lightnin', Lenoir, and Lipscomb (3-4) - We'll study songs by three masters of acoustic blues guitar: Lightnin' Hopkins and Mance Lipscomb from Texas, and J.B. Lenoir from Chicago. This class is an opportunity to learn new songs and new licks to expand your repertoire.
Camp Instrumentalist
Instigator
Songwriting (1-2) - Writing deepens you. Good writing deepens others. Learn how to include emotional complexities in your songs without being schmaltzy, depressing, or frighteningly autobiographical. We'll dive into the art of "word distillation" and the use of detail, hooks, humor, and space to craft songs.
Songwriter Stagecraft (2-4) - In this class you will develop and perform for each other a mini-set with songs you already know. We'll discuss the role and craft of introductions, (the illusion of) comfort on stage, the seamless set, the sly segue, foreshadowing, tricks of the trade, and more. Class size limited.
Beginning Singing (1-2) - You love to sing but do much better with no audience. You feel insecure about that high part in the song. And why can't I get through that long phrase on one breath? You need help! This is your class. We'll learn the mysterious techniques of breath support, voice placement, and range extension.
Intermediate Singing and Performance (2-4) - This class is for the "somewhat" to the "very" experienced singer. You are comfortable in front of an audience and want to improve on various aspects of your performance. Bring lots of song material to class.
Scat Singing (1-4) - Learn to vocalize without the words. We'll cover play, improvising, dipping, ghosts, and other nonsense to build the foundation for singing outside your song. Be silly!
Vocal Accompaniment on Guitar (2-3) - Learn the art of enhancing your sound through guitar chords and riffs and vocal embellishment. We'll use simple chords and simple riffs for earthy sounds.
Improvisation (3-4) - Learn how to play improvised solos over blues, rock, swing and other styles of popular music. We'll cover some theory and technique, but emphasis will be on playing by ear and developing a personal style. All instruments welcome, and there will be plenty of playing time in class.
Swing Lead (4) - Learn to play single-note and chorded solos over swing tunes. We'll cover ear-training, picking techniques, and some chord and scale theory, but emphasis will be on making the solos sound like the song they are related to. All instruments welcome; expect plenty of playing in class.
All Together Now! (2-4) - This course is about collaborative song-writing. Your task will be to complete a new song each day with a different writing partner. I'll provide ideas, structures, key words: whatever I feel is necessary to start your creative juices flowing. The rest will be up to you!
Pop Songs For Old Farts With Acoustic Guitars (2-4) - If you are over 25 years old, you're no longer a viable commercial proposition in the mainstream music business. Still, you're not quite ready to quit. This class will show you how to write pop songs that you can play in a solo context.
Unobtrusive Percussion (1-4) - We'll explore a variety of rhythmic grooves using a compact set of percussion tools. With these grooves we'll be able to accompany most of the music found at camp: Country, R&B, rock, swing, jigs, reels, waltzes, and samba. This class will help you get the most bang from your musical buck.
Swing Vocal Repertoire (2-4) - Have you been looking for a place to learn swing standards? If so, look no further. You can learn up to three swing/jazz classics a day in this class. We'll talk about phrasing, pick-ups, and performance tips, and learn how to transpose from one key to another.
Beginning Finger-Flatpicking (3) - Learn to play fiddle tunes and melodies from the Southeastern U.S. using Wayne's "pinch" style of fingerpicking (or a flatpick). We'll go over it (and over it, and over it) until you get it.
Advanced Finger-Flatpicking (4) - Learn more complex Southeastern single-note fiddle tunes and melodies. You can either use a flat pick or learn Wayne's "pinch" style of fingerpicking.
Introduction to Swing Guitar (3) - We'll learn a few of the most useful movable chord shapes and apply them right away to some easy Western swing and jazz standards. We'll learn new songs every day to build chord vocabulary so expect lots of in-class playing with guest soloists and a daily review of our repertoire.
Fun Songs For Swing Players (3-4) - Participants should have some swing guitar experience. We'll concentrate on lesser-known swing and jazz gems, and we'll work quickly, playing and singing several songs a day. Chord charts will be provided so students can polish the songs outside of class. Bring a tape recorder.
Beginning Guitar (1) - You supply the musical aspiration and I'll provide a handful of basic chords. We'll accompany ourselves singing by the end of the week. I'll toss in some practice tips so you can continue to grow as a guitarist.
Play by Ear (2-3) - Playing by ear is a way of life, but you don't have to be born to it. We'll develop your ear-hand coordination by focusing on specific techniques for playing what you hear as you hear it, or imagine it. A week of work begins a lifetime of progress.
Noteworthy Songs (1-3) - This is a class in which to rest your fingers while singing old and new classics, or to practice playing in a more jam-like rather than class-like setting. In either case you'll find it a relaxing way to revive old favorites and learn new ones.
Fundamental Guitar Techniques (2-3) - Now that you know a few chords, what can you do to spice up your playing? Working with some alternating bass, a few strumming variations, and some simple bass runs can make a world of difference! We'll work on adding these new techniques to a variety of songs and rhythms.
Beginning Flatpicking (2) - Starting with the very basics, we'll learn to play flatpick guitar. We'll unravel the secrets of right hand techniques, rhythm, and bass runs, all in the context of a few fiddle tunes and other tunes of interest.
Flatpick Lead (3-4) - This class will pick up where Beginning Flatpicking left off and continue with rhythmic options (both traditional and modern), using open strings, double stops, moving up the neck, melodic vocabulary, and so on.
Beginning Blues Harmonica (1-2) - Learn the basic techniques of fifth-position blues harp, with emphasis on tone production. No prior experience is necessary in this class for beginners.
Intermediate Blues Harmonica (3-4) - Study riffs for improvising, and also as jumping-off points for creating other riffs. We'll also delve a little into first- and third-position harmonica, as time permits.
© 1999 Peter Langston & PSGW