Classes & Teachers - 2010
Week 1
SUSAN ANDERS
Susan Anders (née Streitwieser) has coached thousands of singers including Joey Heatherton, Lady Antebellum, and L7. Singers worldwide use her vocal methods, Singing with Style and Harmony Singing by Ear. Her most recent recording is the solo CD Release. Susan was born and raised in Berkeley, California and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Tom Manche, and two neurotic rescue dogs.
The Smokin’ Shoo-Be-Doo-Wop Choir (all levels) Sing an all-new selection of classic and not-so-classic songs in four-part (or more) doo-wop style. Previous experience harmonizing, finger-snapping, and hanging out on street corners not required.
Stagecraft (level 3 and up) Own the stage as fully and naturally as you can. Bring a song or two that you’ve already learned—we’ll focus on delivery, presentation, interpretation, non-Vegas arm gestures, patter, how to conquer stage fright, and much more. Accompaniment available for non-playing singers.
CARLO CALABI
Carlo Calabi has been singing and playing guitar backup for old time, country, bluegrass, and fiddle tunes since the early ’60s. He has digressed into sea and pub songs and Cajun music. For many years he has taught guitar and harmony singing at dance and music camps including Lark Camp in Mendocino. He works in vineyards and lives with his family in a little castle that he built in Napa County.
Jamming with Old-Time, Country, and Bluegrass Songs (all levels) We’ll discuss jam basics: mechanics, traditions, etiquette, choosing and leading songs, stage fright, keys, taking leads/breaks, etc. Mostly we’ll learn by doing lots of singing and playing.
Old-Time, Country, and Bluegrass Accompaniment (level 2) We’ll work with both flatpick and fingerpick technique, including strums, choosing keys, transposing keys, using capos, alternating basses, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and runs for leading from chord to chord. These basics will put you on the road to playing Maybelle Carter–style guitar.
CONNIE DOOLAN
Connie Doolan has been singing professionally for more than 25 years in numerous styles, including swing/jazz, musical theater, cabaret, opera, and folk. She performs and records with Julian Smedley and Mike Wollenberg in the Connie Doolan Quartet, whose CD, Haunt Your Heart, blurs the boundaries of folk and jazz. Connie is a sought-after vocal instructor and has taught at Lark Camp, B.C. Swing Workshop, and the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop.
Vocal Technique (all levels) Using movement, songs, and exercises, we’ll explore the basics of healthy singing technique, including breathing, tone, posture, enunciation, projection, intonation, range, and phrasing. Bring your sense of humor—we will work the balance between focused singing and relaxation in a supportive environment.
Intermediate/Advanced Voice Technique (levels 3 and up) We’ll begin each class with movement and vocal exercises to get you in your body and strengthen your technique and warm-up/practice routine. Then we will delve into the songs that you bring to class, to help you find and use the strengths of your unique instrument.
TOPHER GAYLE was weaned on Allan Sherman, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Homer & Jethro songs. As soon as he could play a few chords on guitar, Topher was singing and writing funny songs. He teaches guitar and mandolin in San Jose, plays for contra dances, and is a popular accompanist for Bay Area singer/songwriters.
Beginning Guitar (level 1) or if you want to review the basics, this is your class. Learn to hold the guitar and the pick correctly. Figure out how the darn thing works, and how to keep on learning after camp. Pick up some cool tricks! Learn a fun song or two! We’ll go nice and slow.
Funny, Wacky Songs (level 2–3) Enough tear-jerkers—let’s have a good laugh! We’ll sing and play a bunch of funny, easy, oddball songs from many genres. Bring your favorite funny songs to the last day to share with the class. Singers and all instruments welcome.
CHRIS GRAMPP has played jazz, blues, rock, and traditional music in bands and as a soloist for over 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has studied guitar with Tuck Andress, Warren Nunes, and Davis Ramey, and has written lessons for Acoustic Guitar magazine. He has taught for many years at CCMC, the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and music festival workshops.
Rock Band (level 3) We’ll form bands and break down a classic rock song or instrumental into bass lines, horn riffs, chordal accompaniment, and blistering vocals and solos. We’ll pay special attention to rhythmic groove, separation of parts, and tuning in to what makes each song unique. All instruments welcome.
Every Day I Have the Blues (level 3) We’ll cover classic urban blues players like Magic Sam, John Lee Hooker, Little Milton, and the Kings of blues: Freddie, Albert, and B.B. We’ll work on shuffles, boogies, 8-bar and 12-bar forms, jump style, and blues soloing technique. All instruments welcome.
Considered a rare peer of Hawaii’s premier ukulelists, with a world-class command of the instrument, JAMES HILL composes music that is a mix of jazz, classical, and folk influences (Yvonne Zacharias). True Love Don’t Weep, his 2009 collaboration with cellist Anne Davison, won Traditional Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Wahoo!
Ukulele Big Band! (all levels) It’s time to take a full-blown hip-shakin big-band swing arrangement and give it a long-overdue ukulele makeover. All sizes of ukulele (baritone ukes will need a capo) and all levels welcome.
How to Catch the Ukulele Bug in Three Easy Steps (level 1–2) 1. Look both ways. 2. Get your hands on a ukulele. 3. Come to this class and find out why people always look happy when they’re playing ukulele. Learn a bunch of songs and a few things about picking, strumming, vocal accompaniment, and harmony.
KAREN HORNER has been performing professionally on the bass for 40 years, and excels in a wide variety of musical styles from classical to jazz to pop and rock. After receiving a master’s degree in doublebass at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she was a graduate teaching assistant to Professor Richard Davis (the jazz great), she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Intro to Bass (level 1–2) rhythm patterns and explore scale and chord patterns to build solid lines that make your group sound great! This class is for both upright and acoustic-electric bass.
Take the Gig (level 3–4) Someone heard you play bass, and calls you for a jazz gig—but you have only played rock! Or vice-versa. Help is here! We’ll undertake a quick survey of styles including bluegrass, blues, R&B, jazz, funk, and more.
As a vocalist, ED JOHNSON is frequently compared to Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, and Kenny Rankin. As a guitarist, composer, and band leader, critics often cite the lushly exotic, accessible sounds of Jobim and others. The vibrant, original contemporary jazz he plays with his band Novo Tempo continues to win fans and airplay worldwide, and their latest release The Other Road is currently featured as an Editor’s Pick on the weekly syndicated “Sounds Of Brazil” radio show. With over thirty years of teaching experience, he is one of the most sought after instructors in both guitar and voice in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Swing/Jazz Band Lab (level 3) For all instrumentalists and singers! Play standards from the Great American Songbook, blues, and Latin repertoire. Work through a chart, put together an ensemble arrangement, cue bandmates, and give a song its best presentation. A great opportunity for horn players to play in a mini-big-band!
Modern Jazz Guitar Stylings from Montgomery to Metheny (level 4–5) We’ll cover modern chord voicings and soloing styles from the post-bebop era, starting with Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Joe Pass, and continuing on to contemporary players like Pat Metheny.
San Francisco native, Oxford escapee, and reformed expat JENNY KERR makes music that embraces a mix of American roots styles that stretches the boundaries of style, genre, and race. She has toured with Pete Anderson and worked with multi–Grammy winner Bill Bottrell. A poetic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jenny has toured Europe eight times on the country/blues/roots circuit, and headlined festivals in 13 countries.
Hot Pockets: Rhythm & Groove (level 3 and up) In a rhythmic rut? Explore rhythm acoustic guitar styles such as Travis picking, gypsy jazz, blues, and funky beats. We’ll address concepts including time, phrasing, playing in the pocket, and we’ll work on understanding the many roles that the guitar can play in a back-up setting.
Songwriting for Singer/Songwriters (all levels) We’ll provide a safe, nurturing environment where fledgling and advanced songwriters alike can relax, have fun, and be creative. Tools, not rules. Focus will be on finding your own true voice and crafting strong lyrics, melody, harmony, composition, arrangements, and hooks.
PETER LANGSTON appears to play every instrument in every style and is equally adept at hot improvisation and supportive backup. He has performed with such diverse artists as Doc Watson, Johnny Gimble, and Reverend Gary Davis. He’s active in recording (as artist, composer, producer), and is a popular teacher at music camps like the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, American Banjo Camp, and Northeast Heritage Music Camp.
Instigator
Flatpicking for the Fun of It! (level 2) We’ll get our inspiration from country, bluegrass, and old-time music with hardly any side trips into rock’n’roll or jazz. If you can make the chords, I can get you picking (grinning costs extra)!
TONY MARCUS has been playing music on many things with strings for what is laughingly called a living for 35 years, and has performed with Geoff Muldaur, R. Crumb and the Cheap Suit Serenaders, Cats & Jammers, and many others. Currently, he sings with Patrice Haan in the duo Leftover Dreams and does frequent theatre work.
Introduction to Swing Guitar Backup (level 3) We’ll use a limited number of moveable four-note chords to play swing tunes. We’ll work on getting the proper right-hand rhythm feel, and by the end of the week you will have tools to play lots of songs in any key. Also—cheap tricks revealed!
Advanced Swing Guitar Backup (level 4–5) We’ll work on alternate voicings, passing chords, and chord substitutions, along with right-hand techniques to allow one guitar to be a full rhythm section. We’ll also plumb the mysteries of the half-diminished chord.
AVRAM SIEGEL has been a respected California bluegrass mainstay for many years. He’s performed with everyone from the Grant Street String Band to the Vern Williams Band and Peter Rowan. He has most recently performed, toured, and recorded with two of California’s most exciting bands: True Blue and the Kathy Kallick Band. Avram has developed a detailed and comprehensive teaching method that has turned out some of California’s most popular and successful young musicians.
Mystery of the Groove (level 2–3) Something just draws you in when you hear the right bluegrass rhythm. What is it and how can you do it? How do you control the rhythmic feel and make everyone else sound fantastic? Great chord voicings, strong bass lines, and a cooking right hand, that’s how.
Hot Bluegrass Guitar Leads (level 4–5) How do you build an interesting solo? With some specific knowledge you’ll have a ready-made strategy. Understanding how to begin and progress through a solo, knowing some basic shapes on the fingerboard, and flatpicking techniques will keep things cooking
JULIAN SMEDLEY is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with diverse tastes, including gypsy swing, jazz standards, Renaissance choral music, and Turkish-influenced music. He teaches violin and guitar, arranges music, and works as a recording engineer and producer. Recently he engineered two gypsy jazz CDs; recorded a jazz duo CD with guitarist Mike Wollenberg; released a CD of standards with his wife, Alison Odell; and orchestrated two Klezmer pieces for the San Francisco Symphony.
Instrumentalist
Fiddle Tunes Go Global (level 2–4) Take advantage of our global musical resources and learn an all-new selection of tunes for 2010, including Swedish, Turkish, Chinese, and Hungarian! Be prepared to sing and have enough familiarity with the fiddle to learn by ear and experiment with unusual scales and bowings.
STEVE SMITH has been performing for nearly thirty years in almost every musical situation imaginable, from solo artist to bandleader, sideman, session player, and producer in traditional bluegrass old-time, Celtic, new acoustic, jazz, and chamber music. Steve’s recent recordings include the 2010 release of “Signs Along the Road” by his group Steve Smith, Chris Sanders and Hard Road, “Only So Fast,” and “Made To Last” by the Alan Munde Gazette.
Mandolin Basics (level 1–2) Students will start with right-hand development techniques such as down strokes, up-and-down eights, and tremolo. We’ll also cover simple chord forms, emphasizing hand position, comfort, and smoothness. We’ll learn simple tunes, and work on transition between playing single notes and rhythmic backup.
Bluegrass Mandolin and Beyond (level 3–4) In this class we’ll begin with bluegrass tunes as vehicles for improvisation, and then move to new acoustic-swing and singer-songwriter styles. We’ll explore how scales and chords are interrelated, and how to apply one to the other in soloing and backup. We’ll also work on “feel”: playing on, in front of, and behind the beat to achieve stylistic differences.
Portland-based guitarist JAMIE STILLWAY grew up on an apple orchard in rural Minnesota, and didn’t begin her quest to play the guitar until she was 13 years old. With a background in classical, ragtime, and gypsy jazz, Stillway has released two solo albums of her own compositions. In order to support her habits of studying endless styles of guitar playing, she has been teaching folks from ages 7–70 for the last 12 years.
Raggin’ It up the Neck (level 3) Learn how Travis picking can be employed for all sorts of genres, while discovering chords up the neck. Have a hankering to learn some good ol’ fashioned ragtime hits? We’ll learn some of those, too. And don’t panic, but some theory will be thrown in as well.
Put Your Own Style in Fingerstyle (level 4–5) Bolster your technique and versatility. We’ll explore alternatives to alternating thumbs, including banjo-style rolls, and learn to employ pedal bass notes to accompany ourselves. We’ll also discuss how to understand lead sheets and create your own chord melody arrangements to tunes from any genre.
Guitarist MIKE WOLLENBERG has performed solo and in Bay Area bands for the past 30 years. He has released two solo guitar CDs: The Hand That Feeds Me and Just Another Fool on the Hill. His most recent recording, A Common Language, is with Bay Area violin great Julian Smedley.
All-Purpose Fingerpicking Technique (level 2–3) Throw away that pick! We’ll delve into various thumb and 2–3 finger patterns to get your right-hand digits working. We’ll look at classic folk, blues, and country fingerpicking techniques, including alternating bass, Travis style, and ways to play simple melodic lines.
Advanced Improvisation (level 4–5) Unleash the beautiful lyrical solo that lives within. We’ll talk about note choice and phrasing, as well as ways to shape your solo. There will be some nuts-and-bolts theory, along with sample “licks,” but the emphasis will be on honing the skills you have and introducing new approaches you may not have considered. Bonus: blade sharpening tips for you shredders!
Week 2
BILL AMATNEEK
Bill Amatneek backed the Greenbriar Boys at the first Philadelphia Folk Music Festival in 1962, and has since concertized or recorded with Mark O’Connor, Bill Keith, Frank Wakefield, Vern & Ray, Eric Bibb, Kate Wolf, Beach Blanket Babylon, and Peter Rowan & Tony Rice. He played bass on the first David Grisman Quintet album and wrote the award-winning book Acoustic Stories: Playing Bass with Peter, Paul & Mary, Jerry Garcia, and Bill Monroe.
The Basics of the Bass (levels 1–2) Learn how to hold the string bass and position the body for comfort and technique. Learn how to pizz (pluck) the string with the right hand, and simultaneously stop a note with the left hand to create good tone. We’ll look at left-hand fingering systems to execute scales and arpeggios, and how to create a bass line that supports the rhythm, the chord changes, the song, and the soloists.
Cutting the Gig on String Bass (levels 3–4) Explore the styles required for playing an American roots music gig: the two-beat of bluegrass, old-time, folk, and country, and the shuffle feeling of swing, jazz, blues, and rhythm-and-blues. We’ll look at samba, bossa nova, and reggae bass lines to songs based on these rhythms. We’ll learn how to construct strong bass lines that support the singer, the soloist, and the song.
DOUG BARTLETT will not be at CCMC 2010. His classes will be taught by David Keenan and Crystal Reeves.
JERE CANOTE
Jere Canote and his twin brother, Greg, have toured the United States playing dances and concerts. They live in Seattle and enjoyed a 13-year stint on NPR’s live radio show “Sandy Bradley’s Potluck.” Jere has taught a thriving Seattle stringband workshop for 25 years, and has been a regular teacher at the Fiddle Tunes Festival in Port Townsend, Washington; Puget Sound Guitar Workshop; Pinewoods Camps; and every Portland Uke Fest!
Ukulele! Strum Fun for Everyone! (levels 1–3) Expand your rhythmic horizons and explore right-hand techniques for the ukulele. We’ll cover the freight-train rhythm, the roll, the triplet, the syncopated strum, the swing chop, the blues shuffle, the Bo Diddley beat, and more. We’ll also apply Appalachian banjo skills to the uke.
Novelty Song Uke Orchestra! (level 2–up) A repertoire class devoted to novelty gems from the early days of recorded music. We’ll begin with old-time music, then move into ragtime and western swing. We’ll sing songs from artists such as Ukulele Ike, the Hoosier Hot Shots, and Charlie Poole.
CHARLIE EDSALL
A Reno, Nevada resident since 1976, CHARLIE EDSALL has taught numerous students from Bridgeport, California to Edmonton, Canada, in addition to instructing at numerous guitar workshops for festivals across the United States and Canada. He presently plays guitar with Sawmill Road. As a singer-songwriter, Charlie’s previously released single “Cold Virginia Rain” was recorded by Josh Williams and was performed by Rhonda Vincent and the Rage at the Grand Ole Opry.
Introduction to Flatpick Leads (level 3) We’ll venture beyond basic leads to explore timing and taste, filling in units of measure outside of the standard melody notes and licks. Students should know basic chords, be able to play easy flatpick leads with some facility, and be willing to learn lots more.
Advanced Bluegrass Flatpick (level 4–5) Most mandolin players know about the ever-present bluegrass “chop” chord rhythm backup style, but it just doesn’t work for everything. What else is there? We’ll look at backup mandolin styles for bluegrass, blues, old-time, maybe even rock and roll.
MARLA FIBISH has been a part of the San Francisco Irish Music scene for more than 25 years. She plays mandolin, mandola, and button accordion, and sings. She is known for the rhythm and drive of her mandolin playing. She has played with Sylvia Herold, Rory McNamara, Stevie Coyle, and many others. Currently she performs in the Bay Area–based trio Three Mile Stone, with whom she’s releasing an album in early 2010.
Beginning Irish Mandolin (level 1–2) Learn to play some sweet Irish tunes and how to make them sound Irish. We’ll work on basic technique in the context of the music, and make sure you’re all set to build your speed and your styling as you advance.
Accompany Your Singing on Mandolin and Mandola (level 3–4) We’ll explore alternate tunings, chord shapes, melodic styles of accompaniment, and picking patterns for various rhythms. Bring that mandola you fell in love with and brought home, but don’t know what do with! Come with a song or two you’d like to work on.
SYLVIA HEROLD has been singing and playing guitar nonstop for more than 30 years. She was a member of the swing trio Cats and Jammers, and played in the Django-inspired Hot Club of San Francisco. Sylvia currently performs with Wake the Dead (Celtic Grateful Dead music), the folk quartet Euphonia, and the jazz/pop vocal group The Pop Top Trio, with Ed Johnson and Chuck Ervin.
Swing Band Lab (level 3–up) All instruments and voices welcome. Play standards from the Great American Songbook. Learn to create your own unique arrangements of songs. We’ll focus on rhythm: a strong rhythm section gives soloists and singers the chance to soar. Charts will be provided.
Nonstop Pop (level 2–3) Hey there, Georgy Girls (and boys)! Come Runaway as we Catch the Wind and chase the Elusive Butterfly in our search for the best (and worst) pop songs. We’ll Get Together at the Bus Stop and ride to the Town Without Pity, get off Downtown, meet a Secret Agent Man, then head to San Francisco (be sure to wear some flowers in your hair!). When we’re done, we’ll just Walk Away Renee.
ORVILLE JOHNSON is a singer, instrumentalist, record producer, songwriter, session player, teacher, and, above all, an instinctive and sensitive musician. He is a vital figure on the northwest music scene, appearing on over 300 CDs, movie and video soundtracks, commercials, producing 24 CDs for other artists, and hosting a roots music radio show. Orville is also known as a patient and insightful teacher. He has several teaching videos and CDs of his own music available.
It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues (level 3) Blues classics from Jimmy Reed, Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, and others. With a few simple guitar patterns and impassioned vocals you’ll find that you WILL wake up this mornin’, look around for your shoes, and dang if you won’t have those old walkin’ blues!
Blues, Bluegrass, and Country Dobro (level 2–4) We’ll work in the GBDGBD tuning, playing lap-style. We’ll learn some nice licks and fills and spend time on how you integrate those sounds into songs. Tunes will be drawn from blues, bluegrass, and country sources.
KATHY KALLICK has been leading bluegrass bands since 1975. She continues to evolve as one of the music’s highly regarded composers, vocalists, and guitar players, releasing 14 albums (which include over 100 of her original songs), and receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership from the California Bluegrass Association, as well as a Grammy for her part on True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe. From the Good Ol’ Persons to the Kathy Kallick Band, she delivers hot bluegrass and cool originals
Songwriting (all levels) We’ll share songs we’ve already written, explore ways to access the muse, and come away with at least one new song. Please bring your song scraps and bits, half-baked attempts, and an open mind.
Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar (level 2) This is flatpick, boom-chuck, bluegrass guitar: the pulse, heartbeat, and groove of the music. We’ll listen to some bluegrass greats, and focus on the different ways to accompany lead instruments, including the human voice!
DAVID KEENAN has certainly earned his moniker: “Twangmaster.” Although he’s proficient on several string instruments, it's his innovative guitar style that is widely respected and garners accolades surpassing even the height of his hair. A member of the former Ranch Romance, David can be heard with several roots-music bands in his Seattle home and is a regular teacher at camps along the west coast.
Instrumentalist
Bluegrass Band (level 2 and up) We’ll cover how to find songs to suit your band, how to make them your own, and how to arrange them. We’ll also work on vocals in the bluegrass style.
CAROL McCOMB is a vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with 40 years of performing, recording, and teaching experience. She has authored a best-selling guitar instruction book, taught thousands of people to play guitar, and is a frequent contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine. Carol also tours as one half of the duo Kathy and Carol, with her band, and occasionally with Linda Ronstadt. Carol is a founding member of CCMC and has taught at several other music camps around the country.
High Lonesome Harmony (level 2–4) We’ll learn wonderful country and bluegrass songs from artists like the Delmore Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, the Everly Brothers, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Emmylou Harris and Herb Pedersen, Ricky Skaggs, and others. There will be lots of tear-jerkers; tissue provided!
Folk Meets Alternative Rock (level 2–3 and up) Alternative rock with roots. Songs from a range of artists like Shawn Colvin, Green Day, REM, Black Crows, the Decemberists, U2, Lucinda Williams, and others. Most songs will be taught at two levels—a simpler treatment plus an arrangement more like the original to accommodate a range of ability.
JOE MILLER has performed at acoustic music festivals across the United States and Canada. He has studied with about 35 music teachers, including classical guitarist Bill Trotter in Toronto, and sitarist Nikhil Banerjee. A past winner of both the California State Flatpicking Championship and the National Fingerpicking Championship, he has released two CDs of instrumental music. He teaches at Eric Schoenberg Guitars in Tiburon, California.
Classical Guitar Technique for Fingerpickers (level 2–3) Have you noticed that classical guitarists can do complicated things with seem-ingly no effort? We’ll learn a few very simple right-hand techniques classical players use that will make the entire rest of your life easier—and you’ll sound a lot better as well.
Advanced Fingerpicking (level 4–5) Learn some cool fingerstyle pieces, and also improve your knowledge of music theory. This class will allow you to learn new arrangements much more easily, and to play interesting variations on the pieces you play.
CRYSTAL REEVES has toured nationally and internationally with a variety of musical groups and singer/songwriters contributing violin, mandolin, viola, and vocals. She has been hired as instrumentalist and teacher at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and has been a featured soloist for productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cabaret, and Camelot theaters. She currently resides in Medford, Oregon, teaches private lessons in her Ashland and Medford studios, and performs with a variety of groups.
Let’s Begin Playing Irish Fiddle (level 2–3) Learn some easy slow jigs, airs, and marches. Intermediate players will learn about creating the bowings, turns, slides, and trills from Irish traditional styles, and will kick up the tempos a bit while others learn the drone backup style.
Double Stop Country Fiddle (level 3–4) Doug will show you how to find double stop harmonies and patterns on the fiddle and will show you how they fall into place with the correct fingering. He’ll also show you where you should and should not use them in a song.
JENNIFER SCOTT is a vocalist/pianist who is in demand as a performer, session musician, and clinician. She is considered one of the most important jazz artists in Canada. Recent projects include an eclectic duo recording with composer/pianist Miles Black, and a collaboration with saxophonist Kristen Strom called Crossing Borders. Andrew Gilbert of JazzTimes says: “Scott is the kind of singer who you want to tackle your favorite songs, just to hear what she might do with them.”
Vocal Troubleshooting/Sing Shop (all levels) TWe’ll cover simple but comprehensive vocal techniques to ease you into a more comfortable singing style. We will cover breathing, vocalises that suit the non-classical singer, and strength- and tone-building exercises. We’ll focus on common issues such as vocal strain, singing through your “break,” and more!
Advanced Vocals Master Class (level 3–5) Let’s take our voices to new and different heights with this comprehensive vocal and performance class! Students should bring solo songs into the class to work “in the round.”
CYD SMITH is a versatile guitarist/vocalist/bassist/songwriter who has performed a wide variety of roots and popular American music. Starting as a classical guitarist, her musical path has wound through the landscapes of old-time, bluegrass, country blues, rock’n’roll, swing, and singer-songwriter. Since the 1980s Cyd has taught at many music camps, including Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and California Coast Music Camp. She is currently working on her second album of original songs and performing with a variety of bands in southern Oregon.
Beginning Guitar (level 1) This is a class for tender-fingered absolute beginners. We’ll learn guitar basics, emphasizing healthy and efficient practice habits to learn simple chords, strums, and songs. We’ll also explore the basics of music—chords, rhythms, and melodies.
Beyond I-IV-V (level 2–3) Okay, so you know the basic guitar chord positions and you’re ready to spice up your chord vocabulary. Using the elegant tool of music theory, we’ll explore the harmonic possibilities that lie waiting on your guitar neck.
BARRY SOLOMON has over 35 years of playing and teaching experience. He owns the Alameda School of Music, where he teaches private and group lessons. He has performed at clubs, hotels, weddings, music festivals, workshops, and amusement parks. Barry is regarded as one of the pre-eminent acoustic guitarists in the country, and has authored instruction books and tapes, as well as contributing to a number of recordings over the years.
Intro to Swing Soloing (level 3) We’ll start with simple major and minor scales, and 7th arpeggios and scales. We’ll tackle simple songs that only require one scale, and we’ll explore rhythmic patterns as well as various left-hand techniques such as slides, triplets, and vibrato.
Advanced Swing and Jazz Soloing (level 4–5) We’ll review scales and arpeggios as well as the II-V-I chord cycle. We’ll cover diminished and augmented arpeggios and how to spice up your playing with them. Classic licks will be written out and applied to songs as well as rhythmic patterns, altered tones, and high chord voicings. Open to all melodic instruments.
MICHAEL STADLER is a Bay Area teacher, multi-instrumentalist, singer and writer, and player of many instruments in many styles. He is known for his iconoclastic approach to the guitar and teaches fingerstyle techniques to expand students’ guitar style and song arranging skills.
Instigator
Clawhammer and Other Guitar Tools (level 3) We’ll explore alternate fingerstyle ways to pull sounds from your guitar. We’ll cover free- and rest-stroke, back-of-nail strokes, bidirectional index finger, left-hand plucking, doo-wop/boogie piano-style backup, and bluesy/rocky/funky ways to use these techniques to make song arrangements your own. Prerequisite: Plucking nails of a reasonable length.
RADIM ZENKL is a mandolin player, composer, and instructor. His style features progressive original and eastern European traditional music flavored with string jazz, new age, bluegrass, flamenco, rock, classical, and “other.” Besides collaborating with top musicians in the acoustic music scene, Radim has built up an extensive repertoire for solo mandolin. He also plays ethnic flutes of many different countries and cultures.
Irish Pennywhistle (level 1–3) We’ll cover hand positions, breathing, over-blowing, tone production, tonguing, vibrato, tremolo, three major and three minor scales, English and Irish ornamentation, and ideas on how to practice. All levels welcome. Bring a pennywhistle in the key of D (there will be a limited supply at the camp store).
Advanced Mandolin (Bluegrass and Swing) (level 4–5) We’ll start with an overview of four basic styles of right-hand picking, and two left-hand positions. Then we’ll cover strumming patterns and chord forms organized into voicing systems. Next we’ll cover tools for developing and maintaining speed, and a step-by-step method on how to practice improvising. We’ll go over basic scales and arpeggios covering the whole fretboard, and learn a few standard tunes.