Americana Music Academy Course Descriptions

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Schedule

• Guitar I

  Learn basic chords and easy songs in a relaxed group atmosphere. You'll be playing songs by the end of the first class! Then, solidify your ability to use basic chords as you're introduced to new songs arranged for beginners. Guitar I is for beginners.

• Guitar I Songbook

  So you say you have finished Guitar One but don't think your ready for Guitar Two? Try our new Guitar One Songbook. This course will work you through a song a week based on what you have learned in Guitar One. You will get more comfortable on your instrument as well as learn more songs. This class is a confidence builder. You'll leave ready to take on Guitar Two without that nagging feeling that you might not be ready.

• Guitar II

  Begin simple finger picking patterns, bass runs, and rudiments of music theory. You'll learn more chords and more complex right-hand rhythms. Use these skills to put some sparkle on material drawn partly from class requests.

• Guitar II Songbook

  This class is the same idea as the Guitar One, songbook only more so. Finger picking style songs will be introduced and more complex rhythm patterns will be demonstrated. You will leave ready for the last two guitar classes knowing that you can play with people and hold your own in public situations. And, you'll have a bunch more cool tunes to play for your friends and family.

• Guitar III

  Move on to barre chords, gain a better understanding of the guitar neck, and develop a tasteful sound. Build the skills of right-hand rhythms and techniques including finger picking and flat picking.

• Guitar IV

  Finish your study of barre chords and begin Travis-style finger picking, weaving finger picking patterns into song accompaniments. You'll also learn to read guitar tablature.

• Banjo I

  Designed for the complete beginner, Banjo I presents the banjo as an exciting and playable instrument. Starting with some simple chords, you will be able to strum songs in the first class. By the end of the class, you'll be introduced to the most traditional banjo technique, known as frailing.

• Fiddle I Songbook

  So you say you have finished Fiddle One but don't think your ready for Fiddle Two? Try our new Fiddle One Songbook. This course will work you through a song a week based on what you have learned in Fiddle One. You will get more comfortable on your instrument as well as learn more songs. This class is a confidence builder. You'll leave ready to take on Fiddle Two without that nagging feeling that you might not be ready.

• Beginning Piano Accordion

  The sounds of the accordion have been the essential vibe for American Roots music for over two hundred years. Zydeco music from Louisiana and the south Texas Tejano music would be nowhere without the accordion. Artists as diverse as Marty Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, They Might Be Giants and Tom Waits use the accordion to great effect in their music. The goal of this class will be to learn a few common styles for accordion - a waltz, a polka, a jig. We'll explore scales as well as the technical aspects of the accordion.

• Dulcimer

  The Hammered Dulcimer and its backwoods cousin the Mountain Dulcimer have been mainstays of old time and country music for nearly two centuries. A member of the zither family, the hammered dulcimer came to North American from Britain in colonial times and is played with mallets. The Mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer typically has three strings, is strummed or played with a plectrum and is a uniquely American instrument. In this age of volume and technology the beautiful tones of these instruments have almost disappeared. Sign up and take pride in keeping these traditional American instruments alive. These classes are meant for the beginner and novice level player. We will work on the basic care and feeding of your instrument, including tips on tuning hammering patterns (for the Hammered Dulcimer), left hand techniques (for the Mountain Dulcimer), repertoire building, chords for accompaniment, and basic musicianship.

• Mandolin Songbook

  Folks, Bob Faris thinks it's time you learned some new songs. So, for the last two sessions of this year, Bob's Old Time Bluegrass Mandolin class is now the Mandolin Songbook. This class is about learning songs. Lots of songs. You'll learn at least a tune a week. By the end of this class, you'll be ready to jam!

• Harmonica

  Whether sitting in the back of a smoky bar or around the campfire, the harmonica has helped define the sound of American music over the last 150 years. It's easy to learn and it's easy to play. We offer a course that will have you blowing harp in no time. Sign up and have a band in your pocket!

• The Horn Section

  Discover how great horn sections like Chicago, Tower of Power, Blood Sweat & Tears, Muscle Shoals and Motown developed their sound. Renowned horn player Tommy Johnson will show you how to work in tight, funky R&B units and take your playing to the next level. Students must have approximately 1½ years playing experience to get the most out of this course. Class size is limited to six players per session.

• Basic Stringed Instrument Maintenance

  Sometimes the ol' box just needs to be tweaked and you don't have access to a good guitar tech. If your instrument is sounding less than sweet, don't go Townsend on your precious beast. Leo Posch, one of the best luthiers in Kansas, has graciously agreed to show you what it takes to keep your instrument in exceptional working order. You'll discover basic techniques for keeping your instrument sounding its best. So, bring your questions and your instrument and prepare to learn a lot from Leo.

• Music Theory 1&2

  We have had many requests for a class in Basic Music Theory. And we have just the man to teach it. Our own Greg Allen will demystify Music Theory for you. This course will cover basic scale and chord comprehension, keys, fret board theory and understanding. He'll bring to light just how and why we can get from 'here' to 'there' on our instrument. By the end of this course you will possess the theory sensibility necessary to apply that knowledge in a confident and practical way when you play with others.

  Theory 1: September 1 - October 26 Theory 2: October 27 - December 21

• Recording Technology

  If you've ever wanted to learn the ins and outs of the recording studio, now you can. This course is for those who want to learn the basics of recording engineering as well as those who want to better understand the inner workings of a modern recording studio. You'll learn of room acoustics, microphone use, aplifiers and drum sounds. Our instructor, Sam Platt, will explain it all, from the most basic recording decks to the most modern computer generated sounds. In the process you will get hand on experience in our in-house studio. This course is foundational for all that want to be part of the music industry.

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