SUMMER CAMP 2012 - SEMINARS & SEMINAR LEADERS
B: Beginner I: Intermediate A: Advanced
Keith Bennett
Song Arranging: Arranging your tune for
performance. In this seminar participants will bring finished songs that they wish to
perform and we will discuss creative ideas to arrange the song to try and make
it more interesting. We will look at intros, endings, song form and possible
solos. Each participant should bring 2 performance ready songs to class.
Beginners Harmonica: Participants will learn the basic accompaniment for blues as well as blues scales for
soloing. Topics covered will include:
holding the harp, comping, finding the blues scale on the harp, bending notes,
how to solo, tricks and harp maintenance. Participants
must bring a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C (Hohner “Special 20”
recommended).
Marie Eaton
Songwriting: Songwriting is a quest to
describe the sacred, the comical, or the singular within everyday life. We'll
explore the tools of songwriting through a series of fun (and maybe a little
risky) exercises that will lead toward creating songs.
Neil Fraser
Advanced
Improvisation (I/A): Explore
single note soloing over jazz tunes using scales, triads and arpeggios to create
substitutions that will add colour to your playing. Knowledge of a scale system
(for example, the C-A-G-E-D system) would definitely be an asset.
Advanced Jazz Chords (I/A): This seminar will explore how to create
interesting chords while supporting a soloist by: manipulating the basic
inversions of the chords; using chord scales; 1/2 step approaches, and other
devices. Pre-requisite: knowledge of inversions of min7, maj7, dom7 chords on
the top four strings.
Rueben Gurr
Licks & Tricks (I): Explore
approaches to later blues and rock influences; B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Chuck
Berry and even some Clapton concentrating on one or two seminal lix from each,
how to use these phrases as a basis for fun improvisation. For exploring
Hammers, Pull and Bends, an unwound third string would be an asset.
Wide Open Guitar (I): Open Tunings - the
door to creativity! We will explore Open G for the folkies and Keith Richards
fans; DADGAD for the sophisticated songwriter; DADF#AD for the blues; Drop D for
the Celts; Open A Minor for the Mysterious; Drop C because we can; and a look at
double capoing with the spider variable capo.
Guido Heistek
Ukulele Band Shop (All Levels): This seminar will be taught in G, C, E, A
tuning. We will explore playing as an ensemble with different parts assigned
based on level. We will work on strumming, as well as single note playing as
well as some fingerstyle work. All levels are welcome, but some guitar or
ukulele experience is strongly recommended. If you have a ukulele lying around
the house bring it along to camp!
Self-Accompaniment on Guitar (B/I): Many people find singing and playing
at the same time challenging. This low-key seminar will explore strategies for
working on self-accompaniment including strumming and finger-picking by ear,
speak-singing, and pattern simplification. We will also work on taking grooves
and rhythms from recordings and converting them into strums or fingerstyle
patterns of our own.
Peter Langston
Early Rock, Unplugged! (B/I): It's
acoustic but rockin'! We'll sing and play great tunes from early rock
legends like the Beatles, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, the
Everly Brothers, Ray Charles, and even some Reggae -- Rock On! All
instruments welcome, especially voices.
It Sounds So Sweet! -- Jug Band Music (B/I): Learn why jug bands from the
early black jug bands to the 60s revival white bands bragged "It's hard to
beat!" It's easy to play and fun, too! You can join the Georgia
Strait Jug Stompers as a singer, guitarist, jug-player, kazooist, or... you name
it; all are welcome!
Lauri Lyster
Beginner percussion, or "There’s
more to life than the egg shaker!" This beginners seminar will start with some basic rhythmic practice, which we’ll then apply to
tastefully fit in to various styles, including latin, swing, pop etc.
We’ll use some of the more common percussion instruments that you’ll
encounter, including bells and clave, shakers, tambourine, hand drums (ie.
conga, dumbek and djembe) and snare drum. Bring percussion instruments if
you have them.
It’s all in the Groove: In this intermediate seminar, we’ll
analyze various recorded grooves, and decide what/when/how to add
percussion. This seminar is all about creating a groove and listening
carefully to the ‘track’, and/or other musicians, to see what
‘fits’. Bring favourite recordings and percussion instruments if you
have them.
Dave
Paterson
Acoustic Slide Guitar (B/I):
Explore the guitar style considered closest to the human voice! Using various
tunings and techniques the slide blues of masters Bukka White, Robert Johnson
and others will be examined. Steel or glass bottleneck slide required.
Acoustic Blues Guitar (B/I): From Mississipi Delta to Eastcoast
Piedmont, explore a variety of "country blues" finger picking
styles. Learn picking patterns and chord techniques used by such legends as
Mississippi John Hurt, Blind boy Fuller and others.
Karin Plato
Song Catchers: We'll have fun singing in a
group, exploring harmonies, unison and rhythm. We'll use various approaches:
some improv, some by ear, some with sheet music.
The Art of Singing: This is a technique seminar for vocalists. We'll concentrate on throat ease, the "singing
breath", exploring and expanding your vocal range and color with
songs & exercises.
Pharis Romero
Old
Time Guitar Technique (B/I): Learn
back up techniques and styles for a variety of old time fiddle tunes. If you
know some basic chords and have an interest in learning back-up guitar for
string band tunes and songs, you’re ready for this class. We’ll work on the
boom-chuck rhythm, chord choices, bass notes and runs, keeping time, tuning, and
learning to listen.
Old Time Songs (All Levels): Bring your
instrument - or just your voice instrument! - for an old time song class. We'll
learn songs, and some stylings that are important, from artists like the Carter
Family, Uncle Dave Macon, the Skillet Lickers, and other more obscure groups
like the Hackberry Ramblers, Dewey & Gassie Bassett, and The Southern Melody
Boys. Songs books will be provided for this class.
Don
Share
Bluegrass Guitar Technique:
This seminar will work on helping guitar players to produce the bluegrass sound.
We'll work on basic rhythm, bluegrass "punctuation," runs that connect
chords, and rhythm groove. We'll learn to play with singers and to support
instrumentalists. We'll work on these skills by playing and singing a lot, and
learning some bluegrass repertoire. Having fun is mandatory.
Vocal Bliss: Duet Harmony and Beyond (with
Sue Thompson): Singers: Come learn our
proven method for figuring out vocal harmony by ear. No note reading, no bogging
down in music theory—you’ll learn to hear harmony intuitively. You’ll also
learn techniques, licks, and tricks to blend better and find your part faster.
We’ll sing duets and maybe even get into some trios.
Prerequisite—ability to sing a melody reasonably in tune.
Sue Thompson
Get Started with Lead Guitar Flatpicking:
Folk, Bluegrass and Country: Learn how
to boost your fun quotient in jams by adding your own guitar breaks. We’ll
find easy ways to create and play melody-based solos on some favorite songs.
We’ll also learn techniques to enhance tone and stay relaxed as we play. Lots
of playing in class in a low-key, supportive atmosphere.
Prerequisite—ability to hold your flat pick and change chords in rhythm.
Vocal Bliss: Duet Harmony and Beyond (with
Don Share): Singers: Come learn our
proven method for figuring out vocal harmony by ear. No note reading, no bogging
down in music theory—you’ll learn to hear harmony intuitively. You’ll also
learn techniques, licks, and tricks to blend better and find your part faster.
We’ll sing duets and maybe even get into some trios.
Prerequisite—ability to sing a melody reasonably in tune.
Barry
Truter
Fingerstyle Accompaniment (B/I):
Fingerstyle patterns to "lively-up" your song accompaniment! Using well-known songs
we'll step through a variety of picking patterns (arpeggios, calypso,
alternating bass, ragtime syncopation) as well as some percussive techniques.
We'll also explore weaving in single notes and harmony lines to create intros,
fill-ins, turnarounds, and simple instrumental breaks.
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