May 2023 Classes
To read more about the Instructors see our Instructor Bio page.
Class Descriptions are still being finalized – MORE TO COME!
Classes and instructors shown have been confirmed for this camp – some of these classes are still pending.
Banjo - Picking Styles
CORRY ULAN
Level: 1 – 2 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Banjo is not just for bluegrass! Beginner-intermediate 3 pick banjo.
Ever wonder how banjo can be used for good as well as evil? Look no further!
This class will explore how to play banjo within different styles of music, including bluegrass, country, folk and roots. We will cover how to play rolls and chords in different keys and how to adapt the sound into newer music.
Bring a capo, some music that you’d like to adapt to banjo, and your creativity!
Will adapt to all levels of players.
DRUM & STRUM - A RHYTHM FOCUSED ENSEMBLE
DAN BARTON
Level: 2 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Description Coming Soon …
FIDDLE
CHELSEA SLEEP
Taught in the aural tradition, this mixed intermediate level class will learn tunes from a mix of styles, focusing on multi-layers, harmonies, back-up groove parts and overall arranging for groups/ensembles.
Sheet music for tunes will be provided at the end of the last class so come with your ears and your audio recorders charged!
FOLK ENSEMBLE -SONG ARRANGEMENTS
DOUG BAKER
Level: 2 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
There is a lot great music out there that has been performed or covered by amazing musicians. A terrific song combined with a great arrangement really makes the music stand out.
In our class, we’ll take a number of great songs from various eras and genres and develop arrangements of the songs making them more dynamic and interesting. Sometimes we’ll do some creative rearrangement by switching the song to a minor key, a different time signature or by changing the tempo. Whatever we do will be to serve each song and make our performance of them exciting and moving. We’ll have a lot of fun in the process and by the end of the weekend, you should go home with many inventive song arrangement ideas.
I’ll bring the lyrics and chords to a number of songs. I’ll be in be in touch with class members in advance to solicit suggestions. All you need to bring is your willingness to share your talents vocally and on your acoustic instruments of choice. All instruments are welcome.
Prerequisites: Students should have reasonable proficiency with their instrument as no instruction in how to play the instrument will be given
Guitar - Fingerstyle
JIM MCLENNAN
Level: 2 – 3 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
This class will focus on an understanding of basic finger-style guitar, specifically developing an independent right thumb. We’ll look at a number of basic right-hand patterns, and move toward the goal of playing a melody against a steady bass line.
Jim also likes to follow digressions or “rabbit trails,” including such things as chord structure, special fingerings, and ear training as they come up. While the course will have a planned format, the final details will be determined by the class.
Attendees should comfortably know first position chords in the keys of C, G, D, A and E and be able to change chords while keeping steady time.
Guitar - Noodles & Twiddly Bits
STEVE GOODCHILD
Level: 2 – 3 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
The class offers suggestions to enhance finger-style accompaniment to songs. It is intended for players who:
- have a good command of the basic guitar chord shapes and can change smoothly between them;
- can keep rhythm, play and sing at the same time using songsheets (or not if the song is already familiar!);
- have an awareness of the different time and key signatures;
- Who wish to add “colour” to their accompaniments.
The class will cover:
- Right-hand strumming styles
- Right-hand finger-picking styles
- Left-hand hammer-ons and Sus4 chords
- Left-hand pull-offs and Sus2 chords
- Walking the bass: bass-line run-ups and run-downs
- An introduction to alternative tunings
Handouts will be provided to help you to explore the various techniques in your own time. Lyric, chord & finger-style diagram sheets will be provided for all songs.
Mandolin
MICHAEL HEPHER
Level: 2 – 3 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Percussion
STEVE HAZLETT
Level: 1 – 3 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Description Coming Soon!
Playing by Ear
BARRY LUFT
Level: 2 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Free at last! Yes, it’s time to lose your dependence on “the page” – that’s not where the music resides, anyway. In other words you are finally getting a divorce from the chord chart in order for your music to take on new life!
Hearing chord changes will be the focus of this class for singers who play chord-types of instruments (guitars, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, and autoharps).
Please note that this class is for those who do not know when to change chords and feel “hopeless” in accompanying 3-chord songs without visual help no matter how well they can play.
Instruction in the Nashville Numbering System will be given as it applies to learning how songs and tunes are constructed chord-wise, and class exercises will sharpen up your ear with lots of playing and singing in both ensemble and individual contexts.
Ability to sing or hum in tune is also a prerequisite. Never again will you panic when someone says, “Hey, bring your guitar and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Aunt Edna”, or “Let’s jam!”
Songwriting
DANA WYLIE
Level: 1 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
“Songwriting is equal parts art and craft, and involves an alchemy that is impossible to pin down methodologically. Song craft both requires and encourages a healthy dialogue and co-operation between the “left” and “right” brains, the unconscious and conscious mind, and between receptivity to the muse and good old fashioned hard work and “showing up.” This balance is exactly why hearing a great song is so satisfying, and writing one even more so.
“In this class, we’ll make a study of the “craft,” and open up a safe and fertile space for the “art” to emerge: we’ll discuss and analyze various song forms and their histories, along with technical aspects of songwriting such as rhyme and meter, and harmonic and melodic structure; we’ll dive into some writing using prompts and will experiment working within formal constraints; and students will have a chance to share their work and to lend a kind but critical ear to one another’s work.
The Business of Music
JOAL KAMPS
Level: 2 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
Description Coming Soon.
Vocals
DON HANSEN
Level: 1 – 4 (see Playing Experience Level descriptions at the bottom of the page)
This class is for everyone interested in singing. If you’re inexperienced, even afraid to sing, or think that you can’t sing, you’ll discover that if you can speak, you can sing. If you’re an accomplished singer looking for new information or skills or just the simple joy of singing, this is the class. Almost all of our time will be focused on singing a great variety of songs, but also covered will be basic information about the voice, as well as how to develop, maintain and care for this most wonderful of instruments.
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.