Week One Classes

Playing familiar songs right from the start, we will learn the basic tools for song accompaniment and playing with others. We’ll cover the basic chords, learn which chords commonly go together, and practice changing chords in rhythm. Basic strumming styles will be taught, with an emphasis on bass/alternate or “boom-chuck” strumming with a flatpick. Simple music theory and other useful tools, such as using a capo, reading TAB and chord diagrams, etc. will be included as desired by participants.

Discover how enjoyable and easy it is to make great sounds on the mandolin. Starting with basic right and left-hand techniques and some open chords, we will learn some basic melodies and have them sounding like a million bucks! Bring a playable instrument. a recording device, a high expectation of fun, and you’ll be picking tunes in no time!

Learn how the blues masters played, from a master of the blues. This will be a hands-on survey of Guy's favorite blues artists, songs and techniques.

Since its introduction into the world of Celtic music in the 1960s, the guitar has become an integral part of the music, both in accompaniment and as a solo instrument. This class will focus on both of these aspects, primarily through arrangements of traditional Irish and Breton dance tunes and folk songs from the British Isles. We will cover several tunings, including DADGAD and standard, and will also look a bit at the music of some of the pioneers of this style, such as John Renbourn.

The fiddle is a continuous source of amazement, from basic bow-to-string to more elaborate playing. Using familiar and simple southern old-time tunes, we will build the layers, from finding good basic melodies to adding chords, variations, and rhythm. We will explore bowing technique, drawing mostly from old-time styles, and use some characteristic open tunings. The class will be geared so that beginning fiddlers as well as those new to old-time fiddling will enjoy playing and learning.

Filling in the Cracks is for any guitar players who do OK but want to spiff it up, for old folkies needing to lose bad habits, for more experienced players looking for a technical boost, or for any who have nothing else to do that period. We’ll get you to play just like yourself, only more so. Drop-ins welcome all week.

Okay, all the SAMW students who always say, "Gosh, Rolly, I'd love to take your class, but I'm just not good enough yet", here's your chance! BASIC!!!! We'll start at the very beginning, and work through the basics of "constant alternate bass" fingerpicking guitar and more. My plan: Make the students play a series of repetitive (but fun) exercises that get this style INTO YOUR HANDS at the most basic level, then send you home with exercises and ideas that will enable you to expand on the basics in your own time.

This course offers an introduction to basic techniques, styles and approaches to the use of the harmonica in blues and folk music. Topics covered include holding the harmonica, playing in first, second and third positions, and harmonica maintenance. Harmonicas will be available for purchase in the camp store.

Have you ever wanted to learn to sing in harmony better, how to do it and where it is appropriate in a song? You will have a chance to experience for yourself the fun and unique qualities of singing in harmony and how to begin to master the skills needed to sing in harmony well. You will learn listening techniques, how to recognize chordal relationships and how harmony fits into a melodic landscape. Join us for a fun and empowering experience!

This class will focus on solidifying the basics of good technique, and expand into a survey of the varying roles of the mandolin. Melodic playing, fiddle tunes, improvising a break, and song backup (both playing behind a guitar player and accompanying yourself as a singer) are likely topics, using a repertoire based on a broad range of traditional American roots music.

Sing for energy, sing for joy. We’ll sing great songs that are easy to learn, and the class will include plenty of vocal warm-ups and wake-ups. Everyone welcome. All levels.

Here’s the chance to play old-time banjo for the first time, or dust off the case that was at the back of the closet, take out that lonely 5-string, and start fresh. We’ll be frailing in no time, and moving on to chords and simple melodies.

A workshop focusing on Old Time Guitar styles from the South Eastern U.S. We’ll work on backing up fiddle tunes and songs as we listen to some classic and inspiring examples along the way. Outlining melodies within the chords and exploring “up” and “down” bass walks, we’ll tap into the guitars amazing supportive potential. A bit of the regional guitar history will be explored as we go. All levels are welcome, but a good basic chord knowledge and moderate changing speed would be beneficial.

Pete and Maura Kennedy have performed on stages all over the US and the British Isles, from Royal Albert Hall and the Beacon Theater to Falcon Ridge and the Newport Folk Festivals, but many of the most valuable lessons they have learned in over a thousand live shows have been in the intimate setting of a folk concert, where the audience is attuned to every word and note, and they have learned that the anxiety of performing can be converted into creative energy that lifts up the audience and performer in one collective gesture. This workshop will involve performing a song for a small, appreciative and compassionate team of fellow students who together with the Kennedys will help you find ways to achieve the rapport that folk performers always seek with their audience.

Pete and Maura Kennedy have performed on stages all over the US and the British Isles, from Royal Albert Hall and the Beacon Theater to Falcon Ridge and the Newport Folk Festivals, but many of the most valuable lessons they have learned in over a thousand live shows have been in the intimate setting of a folk concert, where the audience is attuned to every word and note, and they have learned that the anxiety of performing can be converted into creative energy that lifts up the audience and performer in one collective gesture. This workshop will involve performing a song for a small, appreciative and compassionate team of fellow students who together with the Kennedys will help you find ways to achieve the rapport that folk performers always seek with their audience.

As a performer who is primarily an interpreter rather than a songwriter, I am always on the hunt for good repertoire. And there is such a treasure trove out there! In this class, we will add some great songs in different acoustic styles, including a cappella, to our repertoire, learning a new song (or two) everyday. We will also look at how to put your own personal stamp on a song, and look at elements of developing a personal style. Lyrics/chords/melody line sheets will be provided.

Many professional and well-known songwriters have been part of a co-writing team. In this class we will partner up for the week and discuss ways to get the most out of a co-writing experience. Even if you primarily write alone there is much to be learned from working with someone else. Co-writing often has a way of teaching you about your own strengths and weaknesses and enhancing your individual creative expression and development.

This is not a class in furniture building and refurbishing, however it is similar in that we will be talking about the "craft" of songwriting or "building" a song after the initial creative impulse. What are some specific tools we can use to "fix" our songs and know when they're complete. Also, what to do when we are stuck and seem to have trouble"finishing" tunes. Hopefully by the end of the week you'll have some music you feel good about and ready to share.

We will explore techniques to harvest the rich stories and images that arise while we sleep. This creative consciousness, which occupies one-third of our lives, is usually forgotten during our waking hours. Maura will give you tools to recall this material, and ways to fashion it into song lyrics that will lift your creative process above craft and technique. You will surprise yourself in this class!

We will learn real world sound skills and wander through some "big picture" theory without getting too technical. Much of what makes good sound is really basic: beat back hums and buzzes, set up your stage well, monitor levels in the right places, have good communication with the stage. Class tips and hands-on experience will come in handy at festivals, coffee houses, and home recording. Class members will be asked to crew on stage and be at the mixer for the final student concerts.

We'll approach this wonderful guitar style on two fronts: A) Learn to play swing rhythm guitar,involving right hand rhythm and left hand chord structures, and B) learn how to solo over a rhythm section, involving an understanding of arpeggios and variations. In doing so, we'll discuss both chordal and melodic improvisation, as well as right hand pick technique, bass lines, chord substitution, and more. You can get a leg up on this class by viewing my seven instructional videos, posted on http://rollybrown.com/tips.html.

Pete will demonstrate and teach gems from the amazing variety of styles lumped together as "fingerpicking", with lots of licks, techniques, historical background and stories about the great cast of characters who have eschewed the pick.

Vocal improvisation can be as fancy as Ella Fitzgerald’s scat singing, or as simple as a variation on a folk melody. It can also be a scary idea to us folkies (trust me!). But it can also be wonderful fun, and very freeing, bringing the spirit of improvisation to more than just singing. In this class, as a community of singers, we will approach improvisation through a sequence of games and exercises that allow us to explore, play, and take chances with more than our voices. No experience and no music reading necessary; email me any questions.

Explore singing in a relaxed and friendly setting with award winning singing teacher Penny Nichols. You will learn exercises to relax your body and prepare for singing, to work with pitch perception and tone as well as exercises to strengthen your voice and to use your body to resonate sound. You will leave with a whole new set of tools to help you become the singer you want to be!