July and August Group Classes!

Hello to all,

I’ve been busy trying to work out ways to get back to meeting in person, but I think, at least for now, it’s still best to hold my group classes via Zoom.

If you’ve not attended a Zoom class but would like to, just email me personally and we can discuss your needs and fit you into the proper class for you.

Here is a breakdown of my July / August workshops:

I’m hoping to start these classes the week of July 6, which is two weeks from tomorrow. Classes will meet weekly until August 27. That’s eight weeks. Prices reflect the entire eight weeks, but (as has been the case) you can pay for them a month at a time.

 Each class will be offered on the ZOOM platform. It’s fairly easy to operate and I’ll send specific direction over the upcoming week. They will range from forty-five to ninety minutes in length. Again, you will also have the opportunity to work privately with me for 15 – 30 minutes as well during any given week.

Arranging Songs for Performance:
(Mondays 5:30 – 7:00)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 24) – $150 ($75.00 per month)

The beauty of ZOOM is that, for it to work, only one person at a time can play. The rest of us (myself included) will listen and offer thoughts and observations that will hopefully allow the arranger to make improvements.

Our focus for this class will be on specific songs and styles. We will start out discussing ideas and techniques, but I’m hoping that the class will soon turn into the basic format of the “Songwriting Workshop” (also back!) – one student playing his or her arrangement and everyone else pitching in on the critiques. 

Hoping this time out, we can decide on a song or two that everyone can work on to drive home the point that everyone is capable of coming up with a unique take.

Songwriting Workshop
(Mondays 7:00 – 8:30)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 24) – $150 ($75.00 per month)

Incredibly pleased how this class has come together in this format. We discuss what songs are and how they’re made up, but the vast majority of the time is spent listening to the songs themselves and offering critiques of how they may be improved upon.

Music Theory for Fretted Instruments
(Tuesdays 5:15 – 5:55)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 25) – $80 ($40.00 per month)

The purpose of this class is to understand how theory can help us as musicians and songwriters.

These past two months, this has been one of my favorites as the people taking it were keen to apply and explore the ideas of music theory to help their own writing.

Continuing Guitar
(Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:00)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 25) – $100 ($50.00 per month)

Essentially, this class will be very much like the group class we had at the BCC, except that you won’t be able to hear everyone in the group play. It takes a little getting used to at first, but it will worth your while. Every week, we’ll look at one song (and I’m open to requests) and explore the various ways of playing it.

Introduction to Classical / Spanish Guitar
(Tuesdays 7:15 – 8:00)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 25) – $120 ($60.00 per month)

The cool thing about classical / Spanish guitar is that even the simplest exercises make very nice songs to impress both yourself and anyone who’s listening. You can also use the techniques you learn in your “every day” guitar playing.

If you can read guitar tablature (and / or music notation), you can take this course. We’ll start out extremely basic and work our way up to more complicated pieces. As mentioned earlier, even if you’ve taken this course before, there will be new pieces to learn.

Bass Guitar Workshop
(Wednesdays 5:15 – 5:55)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 26) – $80 ($40.00 per month)

Incredibly excited about these Wednesday classes! If you’ve always wanted to try out bass, here’s your chance. Every week, we’ll look at one song and explore the various ways of playing it on bass guitar. We’ll start fairly, excuse the pun, basic, and then explore many of the wondrous ways to make out bass lines as interesting as possible. More importantly, we’ll explore the role of the bass player and how to make the most of that role in a way unique to you.

This class will be an excellent way to prepare yourself for playing in the “Jam Prep Class,” which also starts this week.

Fundamentals of Soloing
(Wednesdays 6:00 – 6:45)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 26) – $80 ($40.00 per month)

This class will be very much like the old “Fundamentals of Soloing” classes we’ve had at the BCC. My plan is to use songs that everyone knows and to explore how to add more parts to them. As always, I’ll make a point to help you grow based on where you are. Every week we’ll also have exercises specifically designed to help you be a better player. 

This class, like the Continuing Guitar class, will be an excellent way to prepare yourself for playing in the Jam Prep Class, which starts tomorrow.

Open Mic Prep Class:
(Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 26) – $100 ($50.00 per month)

Exactly what it sounds like. People will get the chance to perform songs in an “open mic” setting. The rest of the class will be the audience and provide thoughtful, helpful, and (hopefully) encouraging feedback. These can be original songs or covers.

Absolute Beginners’ Guitar (Part 2) Workshop
(Thurdays 5:15 – 6:15)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 27) – $100 ($50.00 per month)

This is a continuation of the “Absolute Beginners’ Guitar Workshop” from May and June. If you didn’t take that because you felt that you didn’t need to start straight from scratch, you may find this more to your liking. Every week we look at (usually) least two songs in order to expand on our ever-increasing toolbox of skills. Come join in the fun.

Jam Prep (for any instrument) (or “Playing Well with Others!”)
(Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00)
(eight total classes  –  classes end August 27) – $150 ($75.00 per month)

Let’s be honest – we’re all ready to get back to playing with others. This class will be very much like the old “Jam Classes” we’ve had at the BCC and Crissey Farm. My plan is to use songs that everyone knows and to explore how to add more parts to them. As always, I’ll make a point to help you grow based on where you are. Every week we’ll also have exercises specifically designed to help you be a better player. 

Hopefully, this class will be an excellent way to prepare yourself for playing for real when the occasions arise (hopefully) in the near future.

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Do let me know what you think about these. Class size initially will be limited to eight, but the cool thing about this is that we can start a second class should one get filled.

As always, I’m more than willing to answer any questions or entertain any suggestions you may have. Email me directly or call me on my cell (413 – 717 – 1996).

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

And be on the lookout for a new project I’m hoping to start soon!

Also, please feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested.

And to sharing music with you all once more.

Stay well.

Peace

David