*Note: all courses listed may not be offered during each session. If interested in a course not currently offered, please let us know.

adult classes

BANJO (BLUEGRASS STYLE) BEGINNER 1 GROUP CLASS:

This course serves as an introduction to the bluegrass banjo style, as made famous by Earl Scruggs. This class is geared toward the absolute beginner - no experience necessary. We will talk about basic technique for both hands, and we will work through the basic right-hand patterns, or ‘rolls,’ that are the building blocks of the style.  Students will work through tunes from the standard bluegrass repertoire, and will become introduced to the different roles of the banjo, both in lead and backup playing.

BANJO (BLUEGRASS STYLE) BEGINNER 2 GROUP CLASS:

This course is a continuation of Beginner 1 Adult Group Class. Students should have some experience with basic chords (G, C, D7, F, Em, Am, Bm), basic roll patterns, and basic left hand techniques (hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides). We will talk more in-depth about technique for both hands, and we will work through more advanced right-hand patterns, or ‘rolls,’ that are the building blocks of the style.  Students will continue to work through tunes from the standard bluegrass repertoire, and will work to become fluent in the different roles of the banjo, both in lead and backup playing.

GUITAR (FLATPICKING) BEGINNER 1 GROUP CLASS:

This course will introduce the flatpicking style of acoustic guitar playing used in most traditional American folk music, and especially bluegrass. The class is geared toward the absolute beginner - no experience necessary. Students will learn basic left and right-hand technique, and will develop efficiency, tone and speed with a pick.  We will cover basic open position major and minor chords, and will discuss accompaniment styles and lead playing.  Students will learn to play bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes, and will be introduced to following song forms and taking improvised solo breaks.

GUITAR (FLATPICKING) BEGINNER 2 GROUP CLASS:

This course is a continuation of Beginner 1 Adult Group Class. Students should have some experience with basic chords (G, C, D, F, Am), alternate picking (down, up), reading TAB and/or Standard Notation, and playing single-note melodies. Students will learn refine left and right-hand technique, and will develop efficiency, tone and speed with a pick.  We will continue to cover basic open position major and minor chords, and will discuss accompaniment styles and lead playing.  Students will learn to play bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes, and will continue to work on following song forms and taking improvised solo breaks.

JAM CLASS:

Jam Classes are a unique mixed-level and mixed-instrument group class. All bluegrass instruments (mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, cello, bass, hammer dulcimer & dobro) are welcome, and we will work on topics specific to playing music with others. Techniques for individual instruments will be covered as relevant, but more emphasis will be given to general musical topics like jam etiquette, improvisation, repertoire learning, accompaniment styles & listening. Music is e-mailed one week before the scheduled class so students can familiarize themselves with the upcoming tune of the week prior to playing with others.

Pre-requisites: Beg. / Int. Jam Class

  • Accompaniment instruments (guitar, mandolin, banjo): knows all basic major and minor chords

  • Bass: knows root/5th patterns for basic chords

  • Knows ~6 -12 standard fiddle tunes/songs (chords, melody, or both!)

  • Can read basic TAB and/or Standard Notation

  • Appropriate for students who have completed a MAFM Beginner 1 level group instrument class at minimum, or similar experience

Pre-requisites: Int. / Adv. Jam Class

  • All instruments: know basic accompaniment patterns for fiddle tunes and songs (Guitar: Bass-strum rhythm, Mandolin: Chop, Fiddle: Double Stops, etc.)

  • Knows ~12+ standard fiddle tunes/songs (chords AND melody)

  • Fluent in TAB and/or Standard Notation

  • Appropriate for students who have completed a MAFM Beginner 2 level group instrument class at minimum, or similar experience

Instructor placement is always preferable to a bullet-point list. Please get in touch if you have any questions!

MANDOLIN BEGINNER 1 GROUP CLASS:

This course will introduce bluegrass-style mandolin playing. This class is geared toward the absolute beginner - no experience necessary. Proper technique and fundamentals will be emphasized, and students will develop efficient right-hand alternate picking technique.  We will cover basic open position major and minor chords, and will discuss accompaniment styles and lead playing.  Students will learn to play bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes, and will be introduced to following song forms and taking improvised solo breaks.

MANDOLIN BEGINNER 2 GROUP CLASS:

This course is a continuation of Beginner 1 Adult Group Class. Students should have experience with basic chords (G, C, D, A, E, Am), basic strum patterns, reading TAB and/or Standard Notation, alternate picking (down, up), and playing single-note melodies. We will continue to emphasize proper technique and fundamentals and efficient right-hand alternate picking technique. Students will continue to learn to play bluegrass standards and fiddle tunes, and work on following song forms and taking improvised solo breaks.

workshops

Improvisation / Music Theory Lab:

This course will meet for an 80-minute session every other week throughout the 10-week term, with five classes total. It is open to all instruments and is intended to serve as introduction to and an accelerated course in improvisation in all styles, and practical music theory as it relates to improvisation, songwriting, and basic musicianship.  We will take concepts that seem like rocket science and make them practical, simple and useful, and provide a friendly and unintimidated environment to explore improvisation. You will gain knowledge and proficiency as an improviser in all styles of music, from Americana to Zydeco.

Songwriting Workshop:

This 80-minute course will function as a class as well as a writer’s workshop, with songwriting assignments for each class period and in-class peer reviewing. Topics discussed will include traditional American song forms, basic music theory and harmonic analysis, chord progression writing, lyric writing and lyrical analysis, and instrumental arranging.  Aspiring songwriters of all experience levels (including the ‘never written a song in my life’ crowd) are encouraged to participate!