Class Descriptions
VOCAL WORKSHOP
Singing is fun! Inside each of us lives a beautiful and unique instrument! In this workshop,
we will move our bodies, soften our hearts, open our mouths and let our voices out to play!
We will use a combination of vocal warm-ups and work-outs, to help relax and strengthen the
voice...making it more flexible and reliable. Individual attention and support is offered to
each person in class as well as for the group as a whole.
THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Take the leap! Bring paper and pens and pencils! Bring a tape recorder! Bring your wonderful
unique self and all your beautiful self - expression! Together, we will create a safe environment
to explore the process of creativity through writing. We will get our ideas flowing with the help
of fun writing exercises and lively discussion. You will have the opportunity to break out of old
writing habits and discover new territory in stalking the wild song.
BROOKS WILLIAMS - Adventuresome Guitar &
ADVENTURESOME GUITAR
"Beyond the First Four Frets." This class is designed for guitar-playing songwriters and singers
who are looking to spice up their songs with new guitar ideas. If you feel like your guitar skills
have reached a plateau, or if you've ever wondered if there is music beyond the first four frets of
your guitar, then this workshop is for you! We will focus on chords and groove, specifically, moving
chords up the neck of the guitar and experimenting with strumming and picking rhythms. We'll do
this in real time with lots of hands-on playing by learning songs in first position (the first four
frets) and then learning the same songs in one or two other places up the neck of the guitar. All
chords and rhythms will be taught in the context of song examples. This workshop is best suited for
players with knowledge of all the basic first position chords (e.g., C, C7, A, A7, Am, G, G7, E, E7,
Em, D, D7, Dm, F, Bm, B7).
ADVANCED FINGERSTYLE & BLUES GUITAR
This workshop will focus on the melodic side of guitar playing,
primarily tunes and blues riffs. We will take a couple of fiddle tunes
(something along the lines of "Blackberry Blossom" or "Going To
California") and learn how to fingerpick the melodies with the chords.
We will also learn a few traditional melodic blues riffs and how to
integrate them in a 12-bar blues in the key of E and G. This workshop
is totally hand's on, with lots of playing and experimenting. In
addition to learning specific tunes, we'll also be discussing how the
students can apply the ideas to their own music. It is ideal for
players who have a good handle on all the basic first position chords
and who have a beginning knowledge of barre chords.
KEITH LITTLE - Vocal Harmony Workshop &
VOCAL HARMONY WORKSHOP
We will cover basic harmonic structure of duet and trio singing, concentrating on tone, and
blending harmony, as well as harmonic note choice. Concepts of harmony style will be covered,
and songs will be presented, but we also help students look at possible harmonies they are
currently working on. This is an excellent class for singers currently playing in bands who
are still mystified by hearing harmony, and for those simply interested in learning harmony singing.
This will be a very nuts and bolts harmony class with plenty of singing.
MELODY BASED SOLOING FOR GUITAR
Using standard song material, we’ll begin our lead work by finding and concentrating on the
most basic melody line. Next we’ll explore how to embellish and make it our own, by creating
a performance "toolbox", consisting of partial chord forms, rhythmic variation, and crosspick
patterns, to embellish the melody giving it color and personality. Our goal will be to create
interesting individual solo breaks, based upon the melody. Recorded examples and printed handouts
will be provided, and individual recording is encouraged.
COSY SHERIDAN - Songwriting & Performance
SONGWRITING: Support, Feedback & Tips
This is a class for trying out what you've been writing - or what you wrote 3 years ago and got
stuck at this certain spot and have never known what to do next. We could use the word "critique",
but that can sound so daunting! So, it's Support and Feedback. And, we'll talk about some
songwriting tools: melody, meter, rhyme and telling your story: that's the "Songwriting Tips"
part. If you've never written a song before, we can help you there, too! I love helping new
songwriters find their way into this miraculous creative world.
PERFORMANCE (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday only)
Have you always wanted to get on stage but never quite managed to get there? Performance is a
skill anyone can learn; it is, quite simply, Enhanced Existence. Come learn to be yourself to
the Nth degree! We'll have classes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon; you can drop in
and then go hike for an afternoon, or come to class for all 3 days.
TR RITCHIE - Beginning Guitar & Harmonica
BEGINNING GUITAR
This class will be an introduction to the guitar for *novices and *beginners, tailored
to each student's needs with individual attention. We'll learn about stringing the instrument,
tuning, chord fingering, simple thumb strumming, using the capo and an intro to reading tablature.
No experience necessary and the more questions the better! You'll want to bring a capo, a tuner,
and a guitar with easy playing action.
Novice - The student is new to the guitar. (novice: No Vice!)
IMPROVISATIONAL HARMONICA
If you can HUM it, you can BLOW it...plus the BLUES! We'll learn now to play classic folk
melodies on the harmonica and also de-mystify the technique called "cross-harp", the signature sound of the blues.
Bring a 10-hole (Hohner Marine-Band or the like) harmonica in the key of C.
ERIC JONES - Beginning Mandolin
Learn how to play this small but mighty instrument. Bluegrass amd old time mandolin picker Eric
Jones will introduce you to chord positions, picking technique, and simple melody leads with an
emphasis on slow jamming. No experience necessary.
CHAD NIEHAUS - Open-Air Art Class
This year the folk camp is offering something unique to music camps - a non-musical course.
Chad will be providing instruction on landscape painting and drawing. Weather permitting, you'll go
into the field and draw or paint "en plein air" - in the open air. If you already have some art experience and
enjoy making visual art, this class will be lots of fun.
To see some of Chad's art, follow THIS LINK
SLOAN WAINWRIGHT - Vocal Workshop and The Creative Process
Advanced fingerstyle & Blues Guitar
...FURTHER ADVENTURES
Melody Based Soloing For Guitar
Beginner - The student has a basic knowledge of some chords, how to tune, simple
playing technique, but still needs considerable guidance.
