Classes for Moab Folk Camp 2019 in the works.
Here's what we had in 2018:
Brooks Williams
Guitar
Spice Up Your Guitar Playing
Breathe some new life into your guitar playing with ‘Spice Up Your Guitar Playing.’ Fire up your imagination and spruce up your songs with a bass run or a hammer-on or a slightly different chord sound. Using songs from your own repertoire (and maybe one or two I bring to the table in case you’re feeling shy!), we will look at ways to add simple but evocative guitar parts that can enhance the musicality of your songs. Bring a song you’d like to energize with a few guitar tricks and we can workshop it as a group. Learn one of the songs I bring to the sessions and try something new. This workshop is ideally suited for those who know first position chords. What to bring? A guitar. A capo. ( * Level 2)
‘A Blues A Day
‘A Blues A Day’ introduces the player to one classic blues song each session. We’ll learn the song in its most basic form: lyrics, melody and chords. Then we’ll delve into the exciting elements that make a blues song work, including blues rhythms, bluesy sounding chords, and those ever-delicious blues riffs. We’ll look at a wide range of classics: 8-bar blues, 12-bar blues, minor blues and a rock blues. Learn a few new chord shapes and a couple riffs, but mostly add a new song or two to your repertoire. Your fans are gonna love it! All these techniques will be learned through songs by the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Willie McTell, B.B. King and Chuck Berry, to name but a few. All levels welcome, but many ideas will be geared for the player who knows the first position chords (like: E, A, B7, G, C, D7 and F, etc.). What to bring? A guitar, picks and a capo. (*Level 2,3)
Guitar
Spice Up Your Guitar Playing
Breathe some new life into your guitar playing with ‘Spice Up Your Guitar Playing.’ Fire up your imagination and spruce up your songs with a bass run or a hammer-on or a slightly different chord sound. Using songs from your own repertoire (and maybe one or two I bring to the table in case you’re feeling shy!), we will look at ways to add simple but evocative guitar parts that can enhance the musicality of your songs. Bring a song you’d like to energize with a few guitar tricks and we can workshop it as a group. Learn one of the songs I bring to the sessions and try something new. This workshop is ideally suited for those who know first position chords. What to bring? A guitar. A capo. ( * Level 2)
‘A Blues A Day
‘A Blues A Day’ introduces the player to one classic blues song each session. We’ll learn the song in its most basic form: lyrics, melody and chords. Then we’ll delve into the exciting elements that make a blues song work, including blues rhythms, bluesy sounding chords, and those ever-delicious blues riffs. We’ll look at a wide range of classics: 8-bar blues, 12-bar blues, minor blues and a rock blues. Learn a few new chord shapes and a couple riffs, but mostly add a new song or two to your repertoire. Your fans are gonna love it! All these techniques will be learned through songs by the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Willie McTell, B.B. King and Chuck Berry, to name but a few. All levels welcome, but many ideas will be geared for the player who knows the first position chords (like: E, A, B7, G, C, D7 and F, etc.). What to bring? A guitar, picks and a capo. (*Level 2,3)
Sloan Wainwright
SONGWRITING
Swimming in the River of your Song - Creative Process for the Songwriter
Let’s create from a place of freedom, flow and fun!
Using games and prompts - we will practice being in and writing in “ non-edit “ mode and see where each of us are led.
We will listen. We will write. We will mine ideas - allowing ourselves to dip into the waters of creativity.
Through examples and discussion we will splash around with our ideas and open up ourselves to inspiration.
You’ll leave the class with a whole new outlook on your songwriting process, and a new song to sing.
Jump in! The water is fine
Voice
SING! HEART, BODY and SOUL!
Inside each of us lives a beautiful and unique instrument! In this workshop we will learn about what we’ve got and how to use it!
We will move our bodies, soften our hearts, open our mouths and let our voices out to play.
With an emphasis on vocal health and self-care, we’ll use a combination of vocal warm-ups and work-outs - traditional and non-traditional - to help relax, release and strengthen the voice, making it more flexible and reliable. Individual attention is offered as well as to the group as a whole, and each student will be supported in developing their own personal vocal practice. This class is for singers AND non-singers alike.
SONGWRITING
Swimming in the River of your Song - Creative Process for the Songwriter
Let’s create from a place of freedom, flow and fun!
Using games and prompts - we will practice being in and writing in “ non-edit “ mode and see where each of us are led.
We will listen. We will write. We will mine ideas - allowing ourselves to dip into the waters of creativity.
Through examples and discussion we will splash around with our ideas and open up ourselves to inspiration.
You’ll leave the class with a whole new outlook on your songwriting process, and a new song to sing.
Jump in! The water is fine
Voice
SING! HEART, BODY and SOUL!
Inside each of us lives a beautiful and unique instrument! In this workshop we will learn about what we’ve got and how to use it!
We will move our bodies, soften our hearts, open our mouths and let our voices out to play.
With an emphasis on vocal health and self-care, we’ll use a combination of vocal warm-ups and work-outs - traditional and non-traditional - to help relax, release and strengthen the voice, making it more flexible and reliable. Individual attention is offered as well as to the group as a whole, and each student will be supported in developing their own personal vocal practice. This class is for singers AND non-singers alike.
Tony Marcus
GUITAR
Intermediate Swing Guitar
Okay, you’ve learned a few moveable closed chord shapes and can pump out a nice solid 4/4 right hand rhythm. What next? Expanding your chord vocabulary just a bit can open up many new possibilities. We’ll concentrate on a limited number of new shapes that will allow you to connect the chord pattern of songs in a compact and elegant fashion. Voice leading! Imagine each note in the chords you’re playing is a singer, and consider how a harmony part wouldn’t jump all over the place, but would be a singable line. Swing/jazz chord movements can accomplish the same thing, resulting in a connected sound that’s very musical and true to the style. There’ll be new songs every day, slowly building up a chord repertoire that will allow you to make your own arrangements. (* Level 3)
BAND LAB
Put a handful of players and singers together in a room and figure out what it takes to sound like a band, rather than just, um, a handful of players in a room. We’ll work on reaching consensus about decisions, thoroughly learning a song or two, and then get on to the real heart of the matter: picking a tempo, counting in, what to use as an intro or an outro, how to best use the skills of everyone involved. And, above all else LISTENING.
GUITAR
Intermediate Swing Guitar
Okay, you’ve learned a few moveable closed chord shapes and can pump out a nice solid 4/4 right hand rhythm. What next? Expanding your chord vocabulary just a bit can open up many new possibilities. We’ll concentrate on a limited number of new shapes that will allow you to connect the chord pattern of songs in a compact and elegant fashion. Voice leading! Imagine each note in the chords you’re playing is a singer, and consider how a harmony part wouldn’t jump all over the place, but would be a singable line. Swing/jazz chord movements can accomplish the same thing, resulting in a connected sound that’s very musical and true to the style. There’ll be new songs every day, slowly building up a chord repertoire that will allow you to make your own arrangements. (* Level 3)
BAND LAB
Put a handful of players and singers together in a room and figure out what it takes to sound like a band, rather than just, um, a handful of players in a room. We’ll work on reaching consensus about decisions, thoroughly learning a song or two, and then get on to the real heart of the matter: picking a tempo, counting in, what to use as an intro or an outro, how to best use the skills of everyone involved. And, above all else LISTENING.
Cyd Smith
PRACTICAL MUSIC THEORY
All levels, all instruments
We'll start with the absolute basics and stroll through scale creation, chord theory, and common chord progressions This is hands-on class, which means we’ll have worksheets to work through during class to make sure you really understand this stuff. Whether you’re new to theory or you just want to refresh your understanding, this is a great chance to start making sense of the mysterious logic behind the music you love.
Ukulele
Ukulele You
You and your ukulele are formally invited to join the fun—we’ll be singing and strumming happily away under the Moab-ian sun. You’ll get a chance to dust off your uke chops and maybe learn a new song or two. And then of course we’ll be busy preparing for the ever popular Ukestra performance at the Student Concert. Songbooks will be provided!
PRACTICAL MUSIC THEORY
All levels, all instruments
We'll start with the absolute basics and stroll through scale creation, chord theory, and common chord progressions This is hands-on class, which means we’ll have worksheets to work through during class to make sure you really understand this stuff. Whether you’re new to theory or you just want to refresh your understanding, this is a great chance to start making sense of the mysterious logic behind the music you love.
Ukulele
Ukulele You
You and your ukulele are formally invited to join the fun—we’ll be singing and strumming happily away under the Moab-ian sun. You’ll get a chance to dust off your uke chops and maybe learn a new song or two. And then of course we’ll be busy preparing for the ever popular Ukestra performance at the Student Concert. Songbooks will be provided!
Eric Jones
Beginning Mandolin
Beginning mandolin class is tailored to first-time players and those considering the addition of mando to their musical tool belt. We will focus on fundamentals like pick-control exercises, chord building and the amazing coincidence of having four fingers on your left hand and four pairs of strings on your mandolin. We will learn to play a fiddle tune melody or two and chord along with folk songs. Mandolin rhythm, double stops and back-up will round out the class.
Cosy Sheridan
SONGWRITING
Cosy's Songwriting Kit
As we journey along our road as a songwriter, we might find that we develop grooves in the blacktop: habits of how to start a song, and how to finish it. Here’s a chance to open the window and let a fresh breeze blow through your songwriting vehicle. Each day we’ll try something new to start or continue a song. We might try assembling a song from found objects and see how beautiful the rough edges are. Or maybe we’ll build one like a swiss watch where everything is balanced and running smoothly. We will support each other in bringing forth our song inside.
Lunchtime Songwriting: Sing Us Your Song
Bring your lunch; we will workshop songs during the lunch hour. This class will be a safe place to try out your song. Maybe you're still writing it, or you wrote it last winter and you're not sure if it's done. Each day we will listen to each other's songs and help each other move our songs forward - with compassionate listening and feedback. We'll talk about songwriting, too - how do we start some new songs, or finish older ones. Come to listen or come to sing - everyone is invited.
SONGWRITING
Cosy's Songwriting Kit
As we journey along our road as a songwriter, we might find that we develop grooves in the blacktop: habits of how to start a song, and how to finish it. Here’s a chance to open the window and let a fresh breeze blow through your songwriting vehicle. Each day we’ll try something new to start or continue a song. We might try assembling a song from found objects and see how beautiful the rough edges are. Or maybe we’ll build one like a swiss watch where everything is balanced and running smoothly. We will support each other in bringing forth our song inside.
Lunchtime Songwriting: Sing Us Your Song
Bring your lunch; we will workshop songs during the lunch hour. This class will be a safe place to try out your song. Maybe you're still writing it, or you wrote it last winter and you're not sure if it's done. Each day we will listen to each other's songs and help each other move our songs forward - with compassionate listening and feedback. We'll talk about songwriting, too - how do we start some new songs, or finish older ones. Come to listen or come to sing - everyone is invited.
Charlie Koch
Survival Bass
Would you like to be able to play electric bass at a jam ? Or maybe in a band that already has a guitar player? We will focus on a few basic approaches to playing electric bass: moving between the root and the 5th of the chord, and walking from one chord to another. If you already have some skill playing guitar then by the end of this class you should be able to play along on many 3 chord tunes.
Survival Bass
Would you like to be able to play electric bass at a jam ? Or maybe in a band that already has a guitar player? We will focus on a few basic approaches to playing electric bass: moving between the root and the 5th of the chord, and walking from one chord to another. If you already have some skill playing guitar then by the end of this class you should be able to play along on many 3 chord tunes.
Peter Danzig
Clawhammer Banjo
Always wanted to play old time banjo but were afraid you might frail? (look it up… it’s a banjo joke) Bring your banjo and come learn how to build a tune clawhammer style. We’ll go over the basics of old time banjo playing, teach you the clawhammer strum, initiate you into the arcane secrets of old time banjo tunings, teach you to play a few tunes, and get you enough skills to back yourself or a friend up on a song or two or join a local jam. The class is appropriate for beginners. Guitar players and Scruggs style pickers are welcome to join. The right hand technique is like nothing you’ve done before. It’ll put a grin on your face and drive away the kind of folks you don’t really want to know.
Clawhammer Banjo
Always wanted to play old time banjo but were afraid you might frail? (look it up… it’s a banjo joke) Bring your banjo and come learn how to build a tune clawhammer style. We’ll go over the basics of old time banjo playing, teach you the clawhammer strum, initiate you into the arcane secrets of old time banjo tunings, teach you to play a few tunes, and get you enough skills to back yourself or a friend up on a song or two or join a local jam. The class is appropriate for beginners. Guitar players and Scruggs style pickers are welcome to join. The right hand technique is like nothing you’ve done before. It’ll put a grin on your face and drive away the kind of folks you don’t really want to know.
Anke Summerhill
GUITAR
Beginning Guitar
3 EASY CHORDS AND A SONG
We will learn a few basic beginning guitar chords and an easy song or two.
This class is for the beginner who would like to explore the instrument as a means
of accompanying themselves while singing. (*Level 1)
Roland Tec
Glee Club with Rolando
Ever since the first troubadour carried his lute into the town square and had the audacity to bring music outside of the confines of the church, people have been singing along. And although the styles and forms have changed over the years, the fundamentals of sung harmony remain the same. Roland will lead the group in an eclectic mix of songs, always with an emphasis on freeing the voice, connecting to the humanity at the core of each song and most of all reveling in the unique joy that springs from making music with other human beings.
Glee Club with Rolando
Ever since the first troubadour carried his lute into the town square and had the audacity to bring music outside of the confines of the church, people have been singing along. And although the styles and forms have changed over the years, the fundamentals of sung harmony remain the same. Roland will lead the group in an eclectic mix of songs, always with an emphasis on freeing the voice, connecting to the humanity at the core of each song and most of all reveling in the unique joy that springs from making music with other human beings.
Chad Niehaus
Open-Air Art Class
Linoleum Block Printing
This year, we will be spending time in the empowering, gratifying world of
linoleum block printing. You will transform a quick sketch into a finished
block, which can be used to print a long list of items, including
stickers, greeting cards, and clothing. We will visit a couple of spots
near Moab for our inspiration, and then will work outside (weather
permitting) to complete the process. All you need to bring is a sketch
book or journal, and a pen (Sharpies work well) — I’ll provide the rest of
the materials. No experience necessary. Come check out this simple yet
powerful art form!
Open-Air Art Class
Linoleum Block Printing
This year, we will be spending time in the empowering, gratifying world of
linoleum block printing. You will transform a quick sketch into a finished
block, which can be used to print a long list of items, including
stickers, greeting cards, and clothing. We will visit a couple of spots
near Moab for our inspiration, and then will work outside (weather
permitting) to complete the process. All you need to bring is a sketch
book or journal, and a pen (Sharpies work well) — I’ll provide the rest of
the materials. No experience necessary. Come check out this simple yet
powerful art form!
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* A note about guitar class levels: For our guitar classes this year we are listing the level at which the class will be taught.
Level 1: Beginners and those who need time to pause between changing chords Level 2: Can change chords without pausing and can play an F chord Level 3: Comfortable with barre chords and some familiarity with playing up the neck |
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