Private Lessons and Classes I am teaching private and group guitar lessons through Musicworks Northwest, conveniently located near the intersection of I-90 and I-405, one block west of the Eastgate Park and Ride, and also through Dusty Strings, located in Fremont, the Center of the Universe, 3406 Fremont Ave. N. Seattle 98103. I am also leading the Acoustic Guitar Orchestra and teaching several weekend workshops at Dusty Strings. Feel free to contact me if you want to discuss how we can work together. My Winter, 2009 schedule of classes include the following: BEGINNING ADULT GROUP GUITAR AT MUSICWORKS This class is designed for people who have never played before, or who want to start fresh with the best possible technique, skills and understanding of music. We will learn the basics of how to play chords, keep time, strum and finger pick. We will learn to hear, recognize, read and imitate rhythms (the basis of all music!) and how to apply them to guitar playing. We will also get started with music notation, tablature and explore a bit of music theory. We will also learn how to make use of YouTube videos and Internet Tabs. Students will have access to play-along MP3 samples of exercises, chord progressions and song melodies. We will draw from many styles of popular music: folk, rock, blues and more. All guitars are welcome: acoustic, classical and electric. Begins January 8 and meets Thursdays at 6:00 pm INTERMEDIATE ADULT GROUP GUITAR AT MUSICWORKS This course is designed for "grown-ups" who know the basic chords and a few strumming and/or picking patterns, and who now want to explore and enjoy the vast potential of the guitar. It would be great if you know a barre chord or two. We will learn how to find any chord on the guitar neck, how to use traditional and contemporary accompaniment styles and some cool licks. We also will look at the basics of classical and jazz guitar! We will listen to and learn from the music many generations: the Roots of American Guitar (the Carter Family, Elizabeth Cotton, Mississippi John Hurt), The Golden Age of Pop and Folk Guitar (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, John Denver, the Grateful Dead, Neil Young) and the New Generation (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls). Begins January 8 and meets Thursdays at 7:00 pm INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL GUITAR AT DUSTY STRINGS Want to learn classical guitar technique and repertoire? Group instruction and individual attention will help each student move at his/her best pace to become literate on the guitar. For beginning-intermediate players comfortable with at least a few chords and some picking patterns. All guitar types are welcome. Begins January 6 and meets Tuesdays at 6:30 pm COMPLETE MASTERY OF THE GUITAR NECK WORKSHOP AT DUSTY STRINGS Explore a complete, practical and organized approach to learning notes, scales, licks, and chords any place on the guitar neck, using examples from folk, blues, bluegrass, pop, rock and jazz styles. Leave this class with new musical intelligence and guitar knowledge, and new ideas to apply to your playing. Sunday, January 25, 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ARRANGING FOR FINGERSTYLE GUITAR WORKSHOP AT DUSTY STRINGS Learn to create a variety of arrangements for fingerstyle guitar. Start with a simple melody ("Ode to Joy") and add bass lines and harmonies. Next, apply chord voicings and chord substitutions to a more advanced tune ("Georgia on My Mind"). Tab and music notation provided; MP3s of materials sent to students' emails. Sunday, January 25, 12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Workshops are $35 each or $60 for both.