Specialty & Technique Guitar Classes

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective and unlock the fretboard as a creative tool for improvisation and musical communication. Explore chord and scale construction, triads, inversions, progressions, and fretboard relationships through the lens of jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary styles. Develop the fundamentals and practical vocabulary needed to craft solos and jam confidently with others. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of music theory and become a more expressive and versatile guitarist, this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective and unlock the fretboard as a creative tool for improvisation and musical communication. Explore chord and scale construction, triads, inversions, progressions, and fretboard relationships through the lens of jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary styles. Develop the fundamentals and practical vocabulary needed to craft solos and jam confidently with others. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of music theory and become a more expressive and versatile guitarist, this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective and unlock the fretboard as a creative tool for improvisation and musical communication. Explore chord and scale construction, triads, inversions, progressions, and fretboard relationships through the lens of jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary styles. Develop the fundamentals and practical vocabulary needed to craft solos and jam confidently with others. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of music theory and become a more expressive and versatile guitarist, this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective and unlock the fretboard as a creative tool for improvisation and musical communication. Explore chord and scale construction, triads, inversions, progressions, and fretboard relationships through the lens of jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary styles. Develop the fundamentals and practical vocabulary needed to craft solos and jam confidently with others. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of music theory and become a more expressive and versatile guitarist, this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective and unlock the fretboard as a creative tool for improvisation and musical communication. Explore chord and scale construction, triads, inversions, progressions, and fretboard relationships through the lens of jazz, folk, rock, blues, and contemporary styles. Develop the fundamentals and practical vocabulary needed to craft solos and jam confidently with others. If you are looking to deepen your understanding of music theory and become a more expressive and versatile guitarist, this is the class for you!

We play and sing Rock Pop Acoustic, with a lot of laughter thrown in. Being one of 15+ guitars and a rhythm section will help you Relinquish Performance Anxiety. You may love it so much, you'll be Reluctant to Plan Activities that would keep you away. If you're Ready to Play Along, join us on Thursday nights. You'll have a great time while improving your technique and building your repertoire. "mysteriously named ... totally charming...a serious musicianship class masquerading as a social club.” - No Depression Magazine

Learn regional fingerpicking styles from East Coast Piedmont, the Mississippi Delta, and Texas. You’ll get a taste of Blind Boy Fuller, Tommy Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, and others. Straight blues, ragtime, and “Dead Thumb” skills will be covered. This class will prepare you for the second level in this series offered next session – Blues Fingerstyle 2, which focuses on slide guitar.

Ever dreamed of playing classical guitar but seemed daunted by the word "classical". Fear not, this class will introduce you to the basics of classical guitar through simple exercises and short pieces. Nylon string guitars and ability to read music ARE NOT REQUIRED. All songs will be presented in tab. This class is a hybrid offering - students may attend either in person or by Zoom.

This class will be offered in a hybrid format. Students can choose to participate online or in person. Use your fingers to bring out melody and harmony in your approach to playing guitar. This class will broaden your understanding and application of melody and chord theory as well as help you develop a rich repertoire in this style. Learn to bring your ring finger into the mix. Styles and alternate tunings will be examined including, blues, traditional folk, Celtic, singer-songwriters, and classical music.

We will use the genre of jazz to explore general fretboard theory. This class is for any guitarist that is interested in understanding their instrument and fundamental music theory in a deeper manner. No matter what genre of music you play this class will help you become a stronger musician, not just a guitarist. Class topics will include: chord theory, scale/mode application, basic rhythmic concepts, and chord progression. THIS CLASS IS A PREREQUISITE to Jazz Guitar 1. Contact Tony Do Rosario with any questions at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

This class is a continuation of Introduction to Jazz Guitar. At this level, we will work on a bebop blues, bebop rhythm changes, and select standards from the American song book. We will use bebop melodies to develop our rhythmic vocabulary. Come explore the basic frameworks of improvisation and accompaniment over classic jazz progressions. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO to JAZZ GUITAR. Contact Tony Do Rosario with any questions at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

A class designed to bring your jazz guitar skills to a higher level. We welcome those who have taken Jazz Guitar 1 and are ready to increase their musical vocabulary in terms of harmony and melody. We’ll concentrate on great American Standards as well as variations of Blues. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO, JAZZ GUITAR 1. Contact Tony Do Rosario at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org It’s a lifelong journey and we invite you to repeat level as much as necessary before moving on to Jazz Guitar 2.

A class designed to bring your jazz guitar skills to a higher level. We welcome those who have taken Jazz Guitar 1 and are ready to increase their musical vocabulary in terms of harmony and melody. We’ll concentrate on great American Standards as well as variations of Blues. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO, JAZZ GUITAR 1. Contact Tony Do Rosario at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org It’s a lifelong journey and we invite you to repeat level as much as necessary before moving on to Jazz Guitar 2.

Jazz is an American folk music. Play it yourself on the guitar. In this repertoire driven class, hone your skills by learning both traditional standards and modern compositions. We are learning a musical language that is spoken throughout the world. Students are invited to repeat this class as much as they desire. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO, JAZZ GUITAR 1 & JAZZ GUITAR 1.5. Contact Tony Do Rosario at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

Jazz is an American folk music. Play it yourself on the guitar. In this repertoire driven class, hone your skills by learning both traditional standards and modern compositions. We are learning a musical language that is spoken throughout the world. Students are invited to repeat this class as much as they desire. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO, JAZZ GUITAR 1 & JAZZ GUITAR 1.5. Contact Tony Do Rosario at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

Jazz is an American folk music. Play it yourself on the guitar. In this repertoire driven class, hone your skills by learning both traditional standards and modern compositions. We are learning a musical language that is spoken throughout the world. Students are invited to repeat this class as much as they desire. REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLETED INTRO, JAZZ GUITAR 1 & JAZZ GUITAR 1.5. Contact Tony Do Rosario at tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

An ongoing class in the advanced study of Jazz for the guitarist. We will build repertoire, further develop improvisation skills and advance rhythmic variations. Participants should have gone thru Jazz Guitar 2 several times or should audition with the instructor tdorosario@oldtownschool.org

Bluegrass guitar depends on solid rhythm. This class will help you develop strong right hand rhythm techniques in bluegrass guitar. We will cover the correct pick grip, pick control, runs, and rhythm licks. Proper tone, use of the capo, and playing in different time signatures, keys, and tempos will also be covered.

This intermediate level class introduces the music of traditional blues’ great artists. From the ragtime/blues style of Rev. Gary Davis and Blind Blake to the Delta/Chicago grind of Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Learn such techniques as: fingerpicking (ragtime, shuffle rhythm), open tuning, bottleneck slide, basic improvising, and more. This is some of the most satisfying music steel string pickers can get their fingers on!

This class covers how to play the minor and major scales across the entire fingerboard, various modes and exotic scales, technique building exercises, how to decipher musical notation on the guitar, explanation of how to play “jazz chords”, writing songs in minor keys, and of course, the theory of the universe.

This class covers how to play the minor and major scales across the entire fingerboard, various modes and exotic scales, technique building exercises, how to decipher musical notation on the guitar, explanation of how to play “jazz chords”, writing songs in minor keys, and of course, the theory of the universe.

Learn the acoustic and electric guitar styles of The Beatles, including chords, riffs and melodies from the Fab Four's greatest songs (including some solo tunes)!

Did you come of age during Monkees madness or New Kids on the Block fever? Did you take a side in the great Backstreet Boys vs. NSYNC debate? Do you still have a Harry Styles poster hanging over your bed? Join OTSFM teaching artist Carey Farrell and fellow fans of all generations for a nostalgic, high-energy sing-along of boy band smash hits and deep cuts — from the Beatles to BTS and beyond. This workshop is open to all — whether you’re bringing a guitar (Guitar 2 level recommended, with a capo), or just your voice. Come ready to sing, swoon, and celebrate the timeless joy of pop harmony.

In this class we will explore various alternate tunings on the acoustic guitar. An alternate tuning is any tuning that is different than standard tuning (EADGBD) and includes “drop D,” “open D,” “open G,” and more extensive re-tunings used by artists like Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, and Adrianne Lenker. These tunings add rich harmonic textures with often very simple fingerings. We’ll take our time with a relaxed, fun, low-pressure approach. Other artists most likely covered will be Patty Griffin, Neil Young, Cat Power, Sandy Denny, Bob Dylan, and others. Open to anyone. Guitar 2 level and above recommended.

Learn how to accompany Guitar 1 & 2 level repertoire with fingerpicking technique! We'll be playing easier chords so we can concentrate on the new skill. More advanced players who are looking for a structured approach to learning how to fingerpick are welcome. We'll start with your (picking hand) thumb which is keeping the beat; playing the most common strings based on the lowest note of the chord. Next, we'll add in the index and middle fingers; again plucking the most strings depending on the chord we are playing. Students leave Fingerpicking 1 - Song Accompaniment with the following skills: Keep the beat of the song with your picking thumb Add at least 2 fingers in order to play patterns like those heard in classic fingerpicking tunes (for example Landslide, Dust In the Wind) Learn at least 5 patterns that can be used to accompany songs in 4/4 time Learn at least 2 patterns that can be used to accompany songs in 3/4 time Develop good practice techniques Incorporate "simple" bass runs to connect chords

For the guitarist who is familiar with Fingerboard Theory and is seeking more playing time, this class provides guided practice in applying these concepts to songs in folk, jazz, rock, and contemporary styles. We'll bring songs to life as a group using a variety of chord vocabulary, scale shapes, and triads/inversions. If you've been yearning to play riffs, color your chord progressions, write songs, and join other musicians with confidence, this is a great fit for you!

"Blues is a Feeling!" In this class, you'll gain the skills needed to play the music and learn the styles and techniques of blues greats like Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, and more. We’ll cover fingerpicking, ragtime and shuffle rhythms, blues chords, riffs, and chord progressions, as well as open tunings and slide/bottleneck styles. Prerequisite: Minimal fingerpicking experience. You should have successfully completed Core Guitar Level 3 or 4. Some written materials will be provided, including standard notation and TAB. Join us to dive into the rich world of blues!

Neil Young’s career includes a treasure trove of amazing, yet accessible guitar techniques, from syncopated folky strumming, open tunings, and howling leads. We’ll look at various classic songs including “Cinnamon Girl,” “Harvest Moon, “Old Man,” “Cowgirl In The Sand” among others.

Want to take your rhythm guitar skills to the next level? In this 8-week class, we’ll focus on songs with distinctive rhythmic qualities and break them down using standard notation—think quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, ties, and rests. You’ll explore rhythmic motifs from popular songs across a variety of genres, giving you the tools to improve your rhythm playing while deepening your overall musical understanding. In this class, you’ll: Break down complex rhythms using standard notation Learn how to play songs with catchy and unique rhythmic patterns Build a solid foundation in timing and groove Gain confidence in applying rhythms to your guitar playing and overall musicianship Develop a deeper understanding of rhythm in music beyond the guitar

In this class, we’ll focus on simple and effective guitar fills that are easy to execute but make a big impact. Our approach will teach you how to connect phrases smoothly, enhancing both your sound and your singing. Whether it’s a walk, a fingerpick, or a catchy strum, you’ll learn how to add the perfect touch to your playing without feeling overwhelmed. From ballads to swing tunes to country hits, you'll discover how to bring your songs to life with these essential guitar fills!

Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of music, community, and joyful expression at Songs of Pride: A Queer Jam. Hosted by singer-songwriter and longtime Old Town School teaching artist Shelley Miller, this free, all-ages event welcomes LGBTQIA+ musicians, allies, and music lovers to come together for a song circle highlighting queer voices, stories, and artists. Bring an instrument, your voice, or just your listening ears — whether you lead a tune or sing along, you’re part of the music. We’ll explore songs written by or made famous by queer artists, along with timeless anthems of resilience, love, and liberation. All are welcome—come as you are.

Join OTSFM guitar and ensemble instructor Tommi Zender for a special Songbag celebrating the music of Jeff Tweedy. We'll play fan favorites from Wilco’s A.M. through Cruel Country, with a few songs from Uncle Tupelo and Golden Smog in the mix as well. This Songbag is best for intermediate-level players and up. Don’t forget to bring a capo!