Classes

Easy Start – Mandolin In this class we will get a good start on playing in different keys with moveable chord shapes and learning how to utilize scales in easy, great sounding ways. We will incorporate some basic picking exercises and even learn to make up our own. We can then apply our new skills…

Mandomazing- Old Time Mandolin- Tunes and Tips In this class we will gain confidence up the fingerboard by utilizing basic theory and 2 string chord shapes (slants and reaches). Using less strings gives our mandolin playing more possibilities, is easier, sounds better and is more fun. This allows us to have some fingers free which…

Advancing Beginner Guitar is for players who know their basic guitar chords and not much else. We’ll get up the neck a bit, try out some tunings, fool around with rhythm and fingerpicking basics, and learn some shortcuts and cheap tricks. Bring a capo and a favorite song or tune.

Beginners welcome, lapsed beginners encouraged, experienced players challenged. We’ll explore the unique voice and rich musical possibilities of this traditional American instrument.

Whether you accompany yourself as a soloist or play in a group, you’ll learn to use the wide dynamic range of your guitar in ways that underscore the lyric and structure of your song to keep your listeners engaged throughout. In this class we’ll focus on strumming hand techniques using a pick. Every day you’ll…

‘Brooks’ Americana’ is a repertoire building workshop. We’ll learn the basics of the song – melody, lyrics, chords and rhythm – then we’ll delve into some possible ways to arrange the song for performance. Topics include strumming or picking rhythms, chord shapes, instrumental breaks and interludes. Songs will be chosen from the likes of Gillian…

‘Brooks’ Blues’ introduces the player to one blues song each session. We’ll learn the song in its most basic form, then we’ll learn some bluesy chords, riffs, turnarounds and rhythms. We’ll draw from the repertoire of Ma Rainey, Samantha Fish, Rory Block, Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt, to name but a few. It will be…

Have you been longing to venture above the fifth fret? Maybe emulating the great Blues players, rocking out a bit, or twanging a country solo? Perhaps you might prefer being able to take a tasty, melodic lead in a folk song? We’ll survey a broad overview of how to use the guitar as a melody…

This class will be a hands-on workshop tailored to the fiddlers that attend. It’s a multi-level class where we’ll learn from each other’s questions and trying out different approaches to technique on the instrument. We’ll cover how to play with ease, improve tone and add some special sauce to the music we make. We can…

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…

This class will look for your strengths on stage, enhancing the performer you already are. I will ask all students to bring in two songs and the stage patter you use on stage. We will look to tighten up your songs, guitar playing and your stage patter, basically helping you stand out at open mics…

This course offers an introduction to basic techniques, styles and approaches to the use of the harmonica in blues and folk music. Topic covered include holding the harmonica, playing in first, second and third positions, and harmonica maintenance. You will need a harmonica in the key of A. They will be available for purchase in…

We’ll work “hands on” to help students of all levels begin (a/or continue) the process of “spontaneous composition”, also known as “improvisation”. Part (or maybe most) of the week will be spent in one-on-one teacher/student work sessions. The nature of each “assignment” will depend on the student’s level. Assignments will range from the elementary to…

While it may sometimes be necessary to have a music stand on stage, it can become a crutch. In the past five years, I’ve memorized over a thousand songs, and I can teach you all my secrets. You’ll be surprised at how you can strengthen your presentation, deepen your connection with your audience, and increase…

A song I have taught for a long time says, “Begin the day with joyful hearts; the day ends well that joyful starts.” A SAMW tradition, Morning Song embodies this very spirit. We will warm up our voices and move our bodies and then we will sing together, songs from all over, songs to lift…

One Song! Write one song this week…the goal is to be able to play the song by the end of the week for someone, the class, etc. The class will work together on everyone’s individual song….

Music Theory on a “need to know” basis. Come have some serious fun studying the nuts and bolts of how music fits together. Emphasis will be on understanding diatonic and chromatic scales, simple chord structures, chord progressions and musical vocabulary. Bring your questions, your notebook, and your sense of humor!

What song structures are available for us when writing social (marching) tunes?  If you are considering writing this type of song, or have some songs you have written but are not satisfied with yet, come on along!

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: troubleshooting hums and buzzes, setting up the stage well, monitoring levels in the right places, and having good communication between the mixer and the stage. Bring your questions about…

In the words of Elijah Wald, “Steve Mann [was] one of the hippest, tastiest and scariest guitar players who ever walked the planet.” I got to spend a couple weeks performing and hanging out with Steve during his later years, and this class will focus on some of his signature pieces and making some sense…

In this old-time ensemble class, Erynn and Carl will play several of their favorite, southern, fiddle-tunes and songs at slow and faster tempos. All instruments are welcome. We will form an all-star stringband – having fun playing tunes from the Virginias, Carolinas, Mississippi and everything in-between. It will be like a tune and song jam…

In this class we will look at how to take care of our voices in a kind and easeful way, learn various warm-ups and get some guidelines on how to create our own to make them work for us. We will also incorporate some elements from the Vocal Play class I have done in the…

There are few things in life more joyful than strumming a uke while gazing at a beautiful sunset. In fact, you don’t even need the sunset; it’s just fun to play the uke! Each day we will learn one or two easy uke songs using either the soprano or concert size uke. We’ll learn and…

Sometimes only the banjo will do! Some great banjo driven songs, a few fine tunes, and plenty of fun.  

We’ll start with a brief history of melodic writing and then show how to incorporate melodic vocabulary into your songs, including what to look for to get out of melodic repetition. Bring in songs that are incomplete or need improvement, not songs that you are married to or have already recorded. You’ll be asked to…