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Learn to play fingerstyle and classical guitar the right way (the slow difficult way) for free. You’ll get the news, you’ll get sheet music, you’ll get inspired. And if you ever decide playing bagpipes makes more sense, it’ll be easy to unsubscribe.

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We make music using fingerstyle and classical techniques on acoustic guitars for solo and ensemble presentation. Mostly we’re working to give everyone a reason to get their guitars out and keep moving forward. Join us no matter what skill level you’ve achieved. We don’t need you to be a great guitarist, we need you to be a person wanting to get better at playing guitar and interested in working with others to make extraordinary music.

All times are Denver Time

• Tuesdays at 7 pm: Orchestra! Spring 2023 -> No theme, just great stuff.
  
• Thursdays at 7 and 8 pm: In-person beginning and continuing guitar in Lakewood.
• Every Other Sunday at 9 am: Solo guitar Levels 1, 2, 3 and Classical … get back into it or get way better.

Denver Guitar Orchestra at 7 pm

We will be online and in-person. Just show up. Join us in-person if you are in town and vaccinated and boosted and feeling great.

#430 March 21: Link to Join https://youtube.com/live/fsSourRKzdM?feature=share

• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Theme
• Menuett Suite
• Of A’ the Airts the Wind Can Blaw

Face-to-Face in Lakewood

Intro to Guitar – 17A4104 & Continuing Guitar – 17A4105

Intro 7 pm: In five weeks, you’ll learn to read sheet music and tablature, know the most important chords, learn how to finger-pick melodies, master a little music theory, and play solo and ensemble pieces. No previous guitar or music experience required. Playable acoustic guitar required. Required: One-time textbook fee of $10 payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Homework from 3/9:

• NO CLASS ON THE 16th!
• Play melodies only from Brother John, Frère Jacques, Farmer in the Dell, Row Your Boat, and Three Blind Mice.
• Continue memorizing A chord, D chord, E chord, G chord.

Continuing 8 pm: Continue your journey into guitar with new chords, more complicated melodies, and chord-melody arrangements designed for solo and ensemble play. Playable acoustic guitar required. Required: One-time textbook fee of $10 payable to the instructor on the first day of class.

Homework from 3/9:

• NO CLASS ON THE 16th!
• Prepare a solo!
• Prepare London Bridge is Falling Down [A & E, C & G] PDF
•  
• Prepare All Through the Night [D & E & A & G] PDF

Thursdays at Lakewood Cultural Center $55: Go sign up here: Lakewood Arts search for keyword “Guitar”

• Jan 5-Feb 16, 2023
• Feb 23-Apr 6, 2023
• April 13-May 25, 2023

Every Other

Books 1, 2, 3 and Classical at 9 am

Denver Guitar Orchestra Sunday Solos 

#428 March 12: Link to Join https://youtube.com/live/pc6REZXoekY?feature=share

• Book 1:
  • Play: The following THREE chord songs: Introduction to Strumming PDF
    • I’m a Little Tea Pot
    • I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
    • On Top of Spaghetti (as song of hope)
    • This Little Light of Mine
  • Study: Brother John [E] PDF
• Book 2:
  • Play: Mary Had a Little Lamb [D & A, A & E] PDF
  • Study: Pay Me My Money Down [A & E] PDF
• Book 3:
  • Play: Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman [G & C & D7] PDF
  • Study: All Through the Night [D & E & A & G] PDF
• Book 4: See “Whenever” below.
• Classical:
  • If you need the password to the Classical page, email me.
  • RCM Book 0:
    • Play: Contentment by Shawn Bell (1988)
    • Study: Bransle de Poitou by Adrian Le Roy (1552)
  • RCM Book 1:
    • Play: Lullaby by Isaias Savio (1972)
    • Study: Calleno Costure Me (traditional) (17th century?)

Previous class videos are available in the archives.

Private Lessons by Video

If you want to participate by private video chat or in-person private lesson, here’s how:

• Begin by sending me an email that you’re ready to begin.
• Make a phone video of you playing the song. It does not have to be great. Keep it simple.
• Make sure the video includes both of your hands.
• Upload a copy of your video to Dropbox using their app on your phone, or upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video. Make sure you’re using wifi as it eats up phone data pretty fast.
• Send me a link to your video. I will look at it, sing your praises, give you a helpful suggestion or two (or 50), and then you’ll record your next effort.
• If you’re not sure about the steps to use the technology, send me an email.
• Why would you do this? The vast majority of people who start on guitar quit because it’s too hard. Making a regular video of yourself helps you get beyond your ego, gives you something to shoot for each week, gives you a realistic picture of what you can do now, gives you hope for the future (especially when you review older videos you made), and most importantly gives you one more way to play guitar since preparing for a recording is a more detailed process than cranking out yet another tune. This process will make you better and make playing guitar easier.