He is one of the last true bluesmen, one who learned from the masters, and has lived (and survived) the life. His songs have been recorded by Albert Collins, Albert King, and others, and now, this extraordinary player offers to pass on his unique way of simplifying, and at the same time exploring the fret board. He'll cover rhythm, improvisation, turnarounds, chord forms, octaves, bottleneck techniques, and more. As Doug says, "finding the feeling that lives behind the notes." Fun, too.
Doug MacLeod 1-2:30 pm Sunday, Feb 12 (1 session) $40
Finally, learn the "secrets of the pros" that help you play lead and rhythm in all keys, all over the fretboard! You'll understand chord progressions and expand your chord vocabulary. Guitar music theory will make sense out of all those strings and frets and chords and scales.
Fred Sokolow 1-2:30 pm Sundays, Feb 19-Mar 11 (4 sessions) $110
Critically acclaimed guitarist Mark Shark (Jackson Browne, Jesse Ed Davis, Bonnie Raitt) brings his considerable expertise to bear in this exciting new workshop tailored to introduce you to, and expand your knowledge of, alternate tunings. Based on his groundbreaking new book, "The Tao of Tunings" (Hal Leonard publishing) Mark will cover topics including: advantages and uses of alternate tunings, overview of G, E, and C tunings, DADGAD, various minor and suspended tunings, Wahine tunings and slide guitar technique. Bring your guitar and an inquiring mind, the Tao Of Tunings Workshop will provide the rest! Click Here for further info.
Mark Shark 1-2:30 pm Sunday, Feb 19 (1 session) $40
Finally, a place for beginning and intermediate bluegrassers to learn to jam, using standard tunes that everybody plays. All bluegrass instruments welcome. We'll start with slow tempos, and kick it up a notch when (if) the class wants to do so. Emphasis on ensemble playing (soloing optional).
Fred Sokolow 8-9:30 pm Tuesdays, Feb 21-Mar 27 (6 sessions) $150
Learn new techniques, patterns, and chords, along with lots of new (and old) songs in this new class open to anyone who has taken a beginning-level class, or has played for six months or more. Bring in your requests! Let's have some fun!
Kit Alderson 8-9:30 pm Thursdays, Feb 23-Mar 29 (6 sessions) $150
Learn to play slide in open tunings (E, D, A, G) and standard tuning in the styles of Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, Duane Allman, and all the great acoustic and electric players. Classic slide licks sound great in blues, rock and country music. Even if you've never played slide before, this will get you off on the right foot.
Fred Sokolow 3-4:30 pm Sundays, Mar 11-25 (3 sessions) $90
This exciting combination of country, blues and R&B is where rock guitar began, and it's still as fun and fresh as it was in the '50s. Acoustic and electric players will learn all the basics, including licks, scales, chords and picking patterns for solos and backup in the styles of Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Buddy Holly, etc.
Fred Sokolow 1-2:30 pm Sundays, Mar 18-Apr 1 (3 sessions) $90
Add style and technique to your playing. You'll improve on all you know while learning new guitar skills and new songs. Lots of fun and highly recommended.
Cheryl Saunders 8-9:30 pm Tuesdays, May 22-Jul 10 (8 sessions) $180
You'll learn ragtime and blues solos in the styles of Delta blues greats and Nashville hotshots from John Hurt to Merle Travis. Taught by Pete Steinberg - 2007 Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest Fingerstyle Guitar Champion. Great fun, and highly recommended!
Pete Steinberg 8-9:45 pm Tuesdays, Dates Pending (8 sessions) $170
For Acoustic Guitar (Class size limited to 10 — enroll early!) Kit Alderson 8-9:30 pm Thursdays, Dates Pending (4 sessions) $110
This intermediate class gives you new ideas for embellishing your playing by learning acoustic fingerpicking and strumming, as well as exact arrangements of Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, etc. Two new songs every week. This is a terrific class!
This 6-week workshop is devoted to analyzing and learning some great guitar-driven tunes in the style of Brett Mason, Vince Gill, and others. We'll tackle technique and theory, and apply them both with the goal of making you a better rhythm and lead player. We'll start with simple blues progressions and graduate to some great country jump feels and full-on be-bop. Don't be scared! Boldly go where you've never gone before!
Pete Snell 1-2:30 pm Sundays, Dates Pending (6 sessions) $150
Tired of just strumming the same old chords and banging away with your flatpick? Ever wondered how fingerpickers play separate bass lines and melodies? Let 2007 Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Pete Steinberg show you how it's done. And it's simpler than it looks! You'll learn basic patterns, chord inversions, open string runs, banjo rolls and two finger-picking songs. Impress your friends! Be popular! Earn big pay!
Pete Steinberg 3-4:30 pm Sunday, Date Pending $40
Learn a whole bunch of the greatest guitar riffs of all time from a pro who's toured with Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, and many, many more. Artists to be covered include Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, Ry Cooder, B.B. King, Vince Gill, Brett Mason, Robert Johnson, Robben Ford, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dick Dale, Pete Townshend, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Jerry Garcia, James Burton — well, you get the idea. Acoustic or electric guitar is fine. Have some fun and fill up your riff bag!
Pete Snell 8-9:30 pm Tuesdays, Dates Pending (4 sessions) $110
A new 6-week class for people who have taken a class or two, or who have played for at least six months. More songs, chords, and techniques, including some fingerstyle. Bring in your requests! Let's have some fun!
Kit Alderson 8-9:30 pm Thursdays, Dates Pending (6 sessions) $150
This is the class that naturally follows Cheryl's "Guitar 2" class, and is just a little more challenging (hence the 2 ½ guitar rating). Delve into more advanced songs and a bit of theory. Learn bass runs, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Become friendly with barre chords. Start to sound like a professional.
Cheryl Saunders 8-9:30 pm Tuesdays, Dates Pending (8 sessions) $180
Improvise in the styles of B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Eric Clapton and other greats. Learn rhythm and lead with an emphasis on improvisational playing.
Fred Sokolow 6:30-8 pm Wednesdays, Dates Pending (6 sessions) $150
One of the surest ways to lose the blues is to jam with other folks, playing the blues! If you play guitar, harmonica, bass (electric bass is OK), mandolin, Dobro, or just about any acoustic instrument and love the blues, this class will help you discover or hone your jamming skills. Fred will lead you through lots of classic tunes and give you tips to improve your back-up and soloing, plus show you the protocols of playing music with other people.
Fred Sokolow 8-9:30 pm Wednesdays, Dates Pending (6 sessions) $150
