Guitar Classes

Dusty Strings Acoustic Guitar Orchestra

Barry Pollack

Eight Tuesdays, July 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 7:15-8:45 p.m., $160.

An ongoing ensemble for intermediate and stronger players of al acoustic guitars and styles. Staff, tab, and mp3 practice tracks provided. Repertoire includes classical and jazz standards as well as Latin, Spanish, Asian, and American folk and popular music: Bach, Ellington, Cooke, Piazzolla, Miles Davis, the Beatles, and more. See ModernClassicsGuitar.com/orchestra.htm for more details.

Beginning Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar

Brad Carter

Four Thursdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, 7:45-8:45 p.m., $80.

Examine the basics of bluegrass guitar back-up, starting with the “boom-chuck” strum technique. Then, add a few bass runs to the mix, including the enduring “G run” that helps give bluegrass its signature sound. How do you use a capo? We’ll cover that too. Along the way we’ll improve your timing by learning to use our friend the metronome. Geared towards guitarists with some experience who are comfortable with basic chord changes.

Play Guitar Today!

John Calvin

Five Mondays, September 13, 20, October 4, 11, 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $100.

No prior musical experience is necessary, but you must be ready to laugh! In this easy-going class, students will support each other as they explore the basic skills needed to play the guitar. By the end of this class students will be able to strum along with several familiar songs and play simple melodies. Clear notes of the material covered in the class will be supplied.

Guitar 101, Made Fun!

Val D’Alessio

Six Tuesdays, September 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 7:45-8:45 p.m., $120.

Learn to play via songs you are excited about! Val will choose songs for the class based on your expressed musical inspirations. Begin with catchy riffs on single strings, progress to chord patterns and strumming techniques, and then learn fingerpicking patterns and scales. Then, combine these ingredients and perform a song that inspires you.

Learn to Improvise for Lead Guitar Players

Brad Carter

Four Thursdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28, 7:45-8:45 p.m., $80.

Get comfortable with the basics of lead guitar improvisation techniques. We’ll start by examining how to solo over a basic blues chord progression. Then you’ll learn how to apply these concepts to other styles such as rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk and country music. We’ll look at how scales and arpeggios are the backbone of lead playing, and discover how to apply basic patterns to be able to play in any key. Along the way you’ll improve your timing by learning to use your friend the metronome, and look at practice strategies to improve your playing.

Get Started with Guitar 1

Charlotte Thistle

Six Thursdays, October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 7:45-8:45, $120.

Guitar novices welcome! This class will get you started playing some easy songs and introduce chord charts, guitar tablature, and some basic music theory and ear training. Also, learn strumming and fingerpicking patterns. All you need is yourself, your guitar, and a desire to make music.

Play Guitar Today 2: The Next Steps

John Calvin

Five Mondays, November 1, 8, 22, 29, December 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m., $100.

This class is perfect for students who know basic guitar chords and are ready to find the music in them. Learn a bunch of dynamic and useful rhythm strumming techniques. Explore several popular songs and use them to understand common chord progressions. Get the low-down on guitar care.

First-time Beginner Guitar

Barry Pollack

Six Wednesdays, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15, 7:45-8:45 p.m., $160.

This guitar class is for people who have never played before! Learn the basics of how to play chords, keep time, strum, and fingerpick. Become comfortable hearing, recognizing, reading, and imitating rhythms, and discover how to apply them to your guitar playing. Students will have access to play-along MP3 samples of exercises, chord progressions and song melodies. The class will draw from many styles of popular music, including folk, rock, blues, and more.

Guitar 102: The Fun Continues!

Val D’Alessio

Six Tuesdays, November 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14, 21, 7:45-8:45, $120.

This continuation of Guitar 101 Made Fun is designed for students who know a few basic guitar chords but would like to spice up their musical repertoire. Explore techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and adding melody lines to chord structures. Then incorporate these techniques into fun and inspiring songs, chosen according to the class’ musical tastes!