Ensemble Delight
Creative CollaborationInstructor: Barry Truter
Level: 2 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Open to singers and players of any and all instruments. Using well-known songs from a variety of styles (folk, blues, swing, Caribbean, etc.), we’ll play with core elements of music, such as melody, harmony, timing, and groove. We’ll consider use of other tools like modulation and rhythm changes to add lift to a song. In the process, we’ll learn how to collaborate musically, proving that the sum is greater than its parts. Bring your skills and talents, and be prepared to participate in the creative process.
NOTE: This class is open to amplified acoustic basses. You will need to supply your own small portable bass amp. Please see our Amplifier Policy for further information.
Barry Truter
Barry Truter lives in Vancouver, BC, and has been a traveller for much of his life. His music and songwriting are influenced by the places he has lived and worked including India, Hong Kong, Fiji, USA, Pakistan, England, Canada, and a spell as a trainee deck officer on a deep-sea freighter.
Barry is a co-founder of the Georgia Strait Music Camp (formerly Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop). He teaches guitar privately, and for music institutions in the Pacific Northwest. He performs solo, and with folk group Fraser Union.
Barry has released two solo albums, Bullfrog Sessions and Traveller, in addition to five albums with Fraser Union. His book Traveller: Stories and Songs in the Key of Connection published in September 2021, contains music scores for his original songs as well as a dozen travel memoir stories and a sprinkling of poems, all with a common theme: connection through music.
Websites: Barry Truter / Fraser Union
Playing Experience Levels
These guidelines aim to ensure that all camp participants have an enjoyable experience. They represent what your playing capability should be before you take the class (prerequisites).
Classes are generally designed to pace themselves to match the participants' abilities. Level 1 classes aim to proceed at the pace of the slower students in the class. Level 2 and 3 classes aim to move at the pace of the majority of students in the class. Level 4 classes are designed to push the capabilities of all students and will target the pace of the more capable students Class descriptions that show a range (Levels 2-3) means the material presented is broadly applicable across that range.
LEVEL 1: You are new or relatively new to your instrument. You may be able to play basic chords or scales slowly. You want to learn the basics of the instrument. You have very little experience playing with others.
LEVEL 2: You are competent with basic chords and/or basic scales. You can keep rhythm and/or play basic melodies and/or sing and play at the same time if the song is familiar. You generally need the chords or melody to be written out in order to play along. You have some experience playing with others.
LEVEL 3: You are reasonably comfortable with most chords, basic major and minor scales, and can play at an appropriate tempo for songs. You are aware of time signatures, song keys, and know that there are chords called 6th, 7th, 11th, etc even if you can’t play them all. You are comfortable maintaining good rhythm and are willing to taking breaks while jamming with others, even if the breaks don't always turn out the way you planned. You may be hoping to take your playing up to the next level of performing with a group or band (beyond jamming) and you want to further improve your technique and speed.
LEVEL 4: You are skilled on your instrument and have a good understanding of musical concepts including scales, arrangements, harmonies and some improvisation. You play lead and back-up with a steady rhythm and can play skillfully with others. You know there is life further up the neck on your instrument and have some capability in that world. You have performing experience, can hold a tune, and can harmonize.