Acoustic Instruments 101
— with John Blasquez —

Acoustic Instruments 101

This workshop provides opportunities to meet and play with other musicians — and to adopt new, effective approaches for learning music!

   • Practice pointers
   • Important tips on posture & relaxation
   • Memorization techniques
   • Practical music theory (scales, keys, chords)
   • Accompaniment (chords & rhythms)
   • Improvisation (demystifying the unknown!)
   • How to "interpret" music notation
   • How to learn by ear
   • Basic pointers on arranging and rehearsing
   • How to teach each other
   • Jam etiquette / Rehearsal tips.

We devote a large portion of time to practicing and memorizing new material, including:

   • American old-time music
   • Celtic & International repertoire
   • Bluegrass, folk & country
   • Other styles (We'll definitely focus on
    instrumental music, but we'll play songs as well!)

At times we breakout into small rehearsal groups. We have an excellent setting for doing so, with five separate rooms, and a piano in the main room.

Occasionally we work in a "master class" format, where one member has a short private lesson while the class observes.

How does it work?

I focus on teaching melodies to fiddlers and mandolinists, while teaching accompaniment skills to guitarists -- often I encourage guitarists to learn melodies as well. We work together to memorize pieces, simultaneously exploring various study skills. You can read the treble clef or tablature notation provided, but I encourage people to learn by ear. We practice by ear in a number of ways, primarily breaking the piece into manageable chunks, but we also "chase tunes." When "chasing tunes" we play straight through, and you catch what you can on each pass. It's a challenging way to learn, but it's an important traditional skill that prepares you for joining the many old-time or Celtic sessions in the bay area ... and it can be really fun ... assuming that you're not tired! When trouble ensues we revert to working on chunks.

Prerequisites

Players of varying levels are welcome, however you should have a few months of experience, the ability to play a few pieces smoothly, and the ability to read treble clef, tablature notation ... or learn by ear -- a very important way to learn!

We welcome other instrumentalists, anyone who can read treble clef, or who can learn by ear — however I only provide tablature notation for fiddle, mandolin and guitar ... perhaps tablature for old-time banjo.

Guitarists should be comfortable strumming with a pick, switching smoothly between basic chords: A, C, D, E, G, Am, Dm, Em ... or be prepared to work pretty hard! Guitarists will need a Shubb capo, or similar type of capo.

What to bring: One or more instruments. Guitarists and banjoists, bring a capo! Tape recorders, Minidisc recorders, and other recording devices are welcome and recommended!

Please bring a music stand to class, and have your instrument tuned and ready to play.

Come and join us! Most people think they're not ready for this class ... that their mere presence will spoil everything for everybody! This mild form of "we're not worthy" syndrome is exactly the type of erroneous thinking that keeps many people holed up home with a bad case of woodshed-itis. We have a consistently wonderful group of friendly, inclusive, even tolerant members.

Besides the simple love of music, the biggest motivators in music are, playing music with people, seeing people play music right there in front of you, performing, and meeting other musicians and being musically creative. In Acoustic Instruments 101, we do all these things!

Registration

Acoustic Instruments 101
Fall Series: Oct.13 - Dec 8 '03 $110.

Each series is open to adults and teens. I strive to balance class instrumentation, so enrollment is open on a semi "first-come-first-serve" basis.

These workshops continue through the year with an occasional break, including roughly a month break at the winter holidays.

Each series is unique in certain respects, so there's lots of variety, but one series is not a prerequisite for the next. New members can join at the beginning of any series ... and occasionally, for a prorated fee, we have room for new members while a series is in progress.

Please enroll as early as possible. Early enrollment saves me from expending needless enrollment efforts!

Please enroll as early as possible. Early enrollment saves me from expending needless enrollment efforts!

To register, or for more information,
call John Blasquez at 925-935-9295

E-mail Singingwood Music

Class size is limited. To reserve a spot,
please pre-enroll with instructor's approval.

Though it has never occurred, if we have insufficient enrollment, class will be cancelled and I will return checks.

Each series is open to adults and teens. I strive to balance class instrumentation, so enrollment is open on a semi "first-come-first-serve" basis.

These workshops continue through the year with an occasional break, including roughly a month break at the winter holidays.

Each series differs in certain respects, so there's lots of variety, but one series is not a prerequisite for the next. New members can join at the beginning of any series ... and occasionally, for a prorated fee, we have room for new members while a series is in progress.

To register, or for more information,
call John Blasquez at 925-935-9295

Class size is limited. To reserve a spot,
please pre-enroll with instructor's approval.

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