Hi, all you guitar players!

Even though this will be a beginner level class, I’ll be teaching some of the same concepts I cover with intermediate and advanced players. Even if you’re all playing at different levels of ability, nobody will be left behind. I will do group-work of course, along with plenty of one-on-one while others are practicing.

We're gonna have lots of fun because I teach people how to teach themselves to play guitar! I'll show how you can expand your abilities all year long with or without a teacher.

My parents taught me some very important things about music. They showed me some basics about getting good TONE, TASTE, TIMING, and a few other essentials like FINESSE and DYNAMICS. They taught me how to play well with others. They would say, “Take this instrument and figure out the rest." They kept intoning, "Keep it simple, keep it clean!” So I'll show you how to clean up whatever tunes you already play.

Nobody ever showed me how to play any given tune or song, but armed with a few sound principles; I was able to build a vast repertoire. So I'm not going to show you how to play Soldier's Joy. Instead, I'm going to show you how I taught myself to play it and how you, too, can teach yourself Soldier's Joy or any other tune or song!

If you are hooked on music, with a strong passion to learn and play, and have a hard time putting down your guitar, then you’ll be able to teach yourself to become a clean guitar player with great timing, tone, and taste in this class.

Sheet music and tab are not needed. Just bring a guitar and a pick. If you want to record the sessions and take notes, fine, but keeping a guitar and pick in your hands is more important (and fun) than holding a pencil or pen.

Between now and August of 2008, please listen to as much music as you and your family can tolerate, and play your guitar whenever you can. Listen to anybody and everything that pleases your ear.

If you would like to contact me before the week at Elkins, please do!