Beginning Guitar
An introductory course for students with little or no experience playing guitar. Students learn the basics including:
* tuning the guitar
* understanding the fretboard
* using proper hand positions
* fingerings for major scales
* learning basic chords, i.e., triads and seventh chords
* playing simple pieces
* reading music
This course is taught by world-class Jazzschool faculty with the objective of "getting it right" from the very beginning.
Required text: Modern Guitar Method Vol. One, Mel Bay (available in the Jazzschool Books & Records store)
Saturdays 10 – 11:30 am
DANNY CARON (10 weeks) $365
Blues and Swing Guitar
This class is designed for guitarists with basic technical facility and focuses on the blues form. Students learn chord voicings, fingerboard harmony and techniques of single string soloing from urban blues styles including BB King and Albert Collins to more complex, sophisticated swing styles including those of Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker. Alternate chord cycles and rhythm playing are covered. Students also work with transcriptions to develop strong melodic solos
Prerequisite: Beginning Guitar Workshop or equivalent
Saturdays 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
DANNY CARON (10 weeks) $365
Jazz Guitar I (BEG/INT)
A hands-on class on the basics of jazz and blues guitar technique and style. Includes instruction in soloing and comping over standard jazz repertoire and the blues. Required text: Guitar Arpeggio Studies on Jazz Standards (Mel Bay Publications), and interactive CD-ROM, Graduated Solos.
Prerequisites: two years playing experience, knowledge of major and pentatonic scales and basic seventh chords.
Wednesdays 6 – 7 pm
MIMI FOX (10 weeks) $235
Jazz Guitar II (int/adv)
Required CD-ROM for Section II: Jazz Anatomy by Mimi Fox (available in the Jazzschool Books & Records store). Required text: Guitar Arpeggio Studies on Jazz Standards (Mel Bay Publications).
Prerequisites: Jazz Guitar I or equivalent; knowledge of scale and chord theory and some familiarity with jazz repertoire.
Wednesdays 8 – 9:30 pm
MIMI FOX (10 weeks) $235
Charlie Parker for Guitarists
The genius of alto saxophonist Charlie Parker presents special challenges for guitarists, particularly in the areas of fingering, articulation, and reading. In this hands-on class, students explore the music of Bird in depth, playing a number of his solos and analyzing his melodic lines. Instructor provides tips for playing at Parker’s often breakneck tempos. Guitarists, prepare to have lots of fun and play your fingers off!
Mondays 6:30 – 8 pm
mimi fox (10 weeks) $365
New Class!
Guitar Trio
In this intermediate/advanced hands-on class, students develop improvisation skills in the guitar trio format. Students focus on group interaction and dynamics, soloing, comping for bass solos, trading fours with the drummer, building repertoire, and finally getting gigs! Concludes with a performance at the Jazzschool! Maximum enrollment: four guitarists, one bassist, one drummer. Please note: class available on a first-come, first-served basis. Prerequisites: ability to play and improvise over a jazz tune while keeping steady time.
Wednesdays 8:15 – 9:45 pm
MIMI FOX (10 weeks) $365
New Class!
Flamenco Guitar
This course is designed to provide jazz guitar students (and others interested in flamenco) with a basic understanding of the most important rhythmic forms and techniques in traditional and contemporary flamenco music.
Cultural and historic foundations are discussed, and participants explore a variety of both left- and right-hand techniques that enhance guitar playing in any genre.
Students have an opportunity to practice playing individually and as an ensemble; and guest artists drawn from the Bay Area’s extensive community of professional flamenco performers give students a taste of the exciting dynamics involved in accompanying singing and dancing.
Some prior guitar experience is recommended, and guitarists are encouraged to bring an acoustic nylon-string guitar, a recording device and a capo.
Saturdays 1:45 – 3:15 pm
DAVID GUTIERREZ (10 weeks) $365
Brazilian Guitar
Designed for intermediate to advanced students, this class covers different styles of Brazilian music focusing on rhythm as well as typical chord structure theory. Pick players please note: finger-style technique is used to play this style of music.
Sundays 2 – 3:30 pm
RICARDO PEIXOTO (10 weeks) $365
RELATED workshops
Cuban Music Workshop: The Tres and Minor Percussion
Come meet the Cuban Tres and get a taste of the minor percussion instruments associated with Afro-Cuban rhythms.
The Cuban Tres is a guitar-like instrument with three double strings (six in all). It plays a key role in the Cuban ”son,” the heartbeat of salsa. The minor percussion instruments include the maracas, guiro (gourd scraper) and clave sticks. Learn how these instruments weave together to create the rich polyrhythms of Afro-Cuban music. There will be an explanation and hands-on demonstration of the Cuban Tres, as well as a demonstration of the techniques used in playing clave rhythms, maracas and guiro. Time permitting: a descarga or jam session, with all of the instruments. This workshop is open to all musicians.
Sunday April 11
2 – 4 pm
tito rodriquez
$30 Jazzschool students/$45 others
