Classes

This two-session guitar class will introduce the tunings of Spanish (Open G), Vestapol (Open D) and Crossnote (open G), with explorations of turnarounds, 12 bar progressions, and one chord blues.

In this two-session class, we’ll spend time in Bentonia, North Mississippi, and the Delta, featuring songs in standard and open tunings, with discussion of history as well as repertoire.

In this two-session class, let’s rewind and review the important basics of being your best guitar player! From proper tuning and learning a variety of chords, to chord changing techniques and applying them to your favorite blues songs. A great class to get you and your guitar started on the right track.

For as long as the blues have been around, the banjo has been right there, strumming along. Through some of his favorite songs from the ’20s and ’30s, in this two-session class Hubby will teach several blues forms, chords, and licks to get you started.

Seminal gospel blues artist Blind Willie Johnson left behind records whose impact and influence are immeasurable. In this two-session class, we will break down his slide guitar techniques and some of his most iconic songs.

Learn to play like a horn by playing fills, breaks, simple melodic lines. Learn techniques of master harmonica players like Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson and others. In this one-session class we’ll learn where some classic riffs originated from and how to play them! Bring multiple keys of harmonicas with the…

Develop your confidence singing and build your knowledge about your vocal instrument. This two-session class focuses on vocal function, hygiene, and best practices for warming up. “Head voice,” “chest voice,” and “mixed voice”: what are they? Come find out!

Bring a song you’ve been working on. What are some of the tools to use to finish a song? How do we tweak a song or get unstuck? Bring in song ideas or songs in progress for evaluation and suggestions. We will explore song form, rhyme scheme, story-line, theme and more. By the end of…

In this two-session class, we will work on tone, articulation, breathing and ear training exercises. Tips on getting the most out of your practice sessions. Learn how 1st position melodies can be a useful tool for practicing technique on your harmonica. These exercises will help you improve your tone, tongue blocking, bending, ear training, rhythm,…

In this two-session class, you’ll learn how to control your breath by breathing through the harmonica. Work on getting single notes, articulation, introduction to bending and tongue blocking. All of the basics! It is strongly suggested that students invest in and bring to class a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C.

This two-session class covers a wide range of skills, from those just beginning fingerpicking to those more advanced. Take your first steps into learning the Piedmont style of fingerpicking. Emphasis on alternating bass and creating a practice to master the technique. “First, you have to get an educated thumb” -Pete Seeger

This class is an analysis of Charley Patton’s right hand guitar techniques. Giddy up and grab your guitar by the reins with Charley Patton’s “Pony Blues.”

This one-session class will focus on the women who helped make bawdy blues – with their double entendres, sexual depictions, and references to drug use – very popular during the golden age of recording. Come prepared to sing, listen, and laugh.

Learn songs that can be played on a single string! For this one-session class it’s not necessary to have a one-stringed instrument of your own… we can share how to set yours up that way, if you like!

This two-session class will tackle songs such as, “Railroad Bill,” “Step it Up and Go,” “South Carolina Rag,” “Candy Man”… and potentially others. Explore the guitar techniques of Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Boy Fuller, Elizabeth Cotten, John Jackson, Brownie McGhee and others. This class is will expand your repertoire within the piedmont blues style. We…

Songwriting from your own unique style. This two-session class will explore writing from a personal and vulnerable place of truth.

We use the chapel concert stage and sound system to practice our songs, while going over best practices for sound checks, mic technique, instrument amplification and performance tips. Learn a bit more about audio connections, avoiding rings and “bad sound,” how the gear works, and bringing your best game when getting on stage.

In this one-session class we’ll learn how to perform like a pro on stage. We’ll work on overcoming stage fright and getting down to the heart and soul of connecting with your audience and performing your best.

Curious how harmony works? Using blues forms, this two-session class will focus on harmony, ear training, and theory all-in-one. Using split-voicing and guide tone lines, we’ll  develop ways to internalize what is happening as we sing and play music.