Guitar
Colouring With Chords

Learn to let your ears guide your hands to more variety and emotion in your songs. We’ll look at easy ways to vary standard major and minor chords to add more interesting sounds. Practical application of these principles (using them in songs) will guide the process.

This workshop is for people who know the “standard” guitar chords but would like some ways to “fancy them up,” and get out of a rut, without having to become a music-theory geek.
Attendees should know basic first-position chords in the keys of G, C, D, A, and E.

Fiddle

In this short workshop, we’ll learn an intermediate-level Canadian fiddle tune, with a focus on style and technique.

This class is best suited to folks who are comfortable learning music by ear.

But don’t worry – sheet music will be provided as well.

Songwriting

In 50 minutes we will attempt to look at improving melodic writing by exploring chord progressions beyond C,G,&D,  two chord songs, using the Talk-Sing method, and insuring melodic contrast for each section of a song.

Also we will look at improving lyric writing by exploring writer’s tips designed to bust through writer’s block such as writing faster, writing drunk and editing sober, writing conversationally, and using imagery to show and not tell.

I’ll send out a writer’s prompt for each participant to work with once the workshop is done and I’ll be available in a break out room to answer any questions or give feedback on work.

Mandolin

This workshop is for those who are competent with basic chords and scales; can play at the appropriate tempo for different song styles and have an awareness of the different time and key signatures. Lyric & chord sheets will be provided for all songs & the intention is to explore the Mandolin in an ensemble (band) setting as a percussive, accompanying (strumming) and melody instrument.

 Whilst the class title states “Mandolin”, the tools, techniques and general approach is equally suitable for other members of the 8-string family. We will also learn about Mandolin history and “family connections” (Mandolin, Mandola, Octave Mandola, Mandocello and related “cousins”).

Clawhammer Banjo
Fills & Syncopation

Part 1 – Adding colour to your song accompaniment by using FILLS as you apply already-known left-hand techniques (hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides).

Part 2 – Giving your instrumental solos some syncopation using “off-set” slides, skip strokes, and phantom brushes.

Pre-requisites: An introductory clawhammer banjo course or equivalent; able to execute the basic rhythm; can play “Cripple Creek” in a simplified form.

Rhythm – Multi Instrument

Let’s hear how these instruments work together and listen to a few short samples in different genres first. Then I’ll load up a few varying chord progressions that will loop while I add layers with guitar strumming, a second string chord option (maybe another guitar part, a few four stringed instruments like: Soprano Uke, Baritone Uke, Tenor Guitar or maybe a 4 string banjo for good measure), bass guitar (or upright), piano and a basic drum part. I’ll chat about my experience on how nice it is when these instruments blend and work off each other (hopefully not against each other) to find a satisfying groove. Bring a few questions and a great pair of headphones.

Here are a few samples of how some of this might look, but we’ll explore other folky genres and progressions:

Me, Myself and I

Traditional Jazz Rhythm Section Tutorial – Up A Lazy River

Guitar
Noodles & Twiddly Bits

This workshop is for those who are competent with basic Guitar chords and scales; can manage chord changes at a tempo appropriate for different song styles – folk & country songs, ballads, blues etc. and have an awareness of the different time and key signatures. Lyric, chord & finger-style diagram sheets will be provided for all songs.

We will cover various strumming, finger-picking and melody techniques – “noodles & twiddly-bits” – to enhance the guitar accompaniment to different songs.

Ukulele Players
as Emerging Musicians

For song accompanists who wish to develop a high standard of musicianship.

Topics: Losing dependence on the “page”; Using Nashville Numbering; Chord patterns; and, Finding your singing KEY.

More Topics: Knowing your work; What & how to memorize; Practice tips; Instrument set up; Using a capo & metronome; Playing in all 12 keys; and, Improvising.

Pre-requisite: An introductory course and ability to play in the key of C.

Experienced players welcome if attracted to some of the topics.

Bass

How do I be musical on a bass during a pandemic when all my bandmates are in quarantine? It’s possible. We’ll warm up with a few listening suggestions and move onto some exercises. Using the loops from the Rhythm Section Workshop, I’ll show you different bass line approaches and I’ll share these backup tracks with you so you can apply these new approaches on your own time. Again, bring a few questions and a great pair of headphones.

Singing
Perfect Practice at Home

Using a metronome, an instrument, recordings and technology as practice tools at home to help you nail your lead or harmony singing.

Guitar / Uke
Get Rhythm!

Come join as we mess around with rhythm, weaving our way through a selection of time signatures and grooves.

We’ll discover the fun of adding new life to an old song. Suitable for guitar strummers and pickers alike.

Ukuleles welcome too!