Specialty & Technique Guitar Classes

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective. Examine intervals, chord and scale construction, inversions, and progressions in the context of traditional and pop genres. It is highly recommended that all students of the guitar make it a point to enroll at some point in their musical journey. Leave this class with enough material to keep you busy for years. Whether you want to write your own songs, become a hot lead guitarist or just increase your musical vocabulary and ability to jam and make music with others - this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective. Examine intervals, chord and scale construction, inversions, and progressions in the context of traditional and pop genres. It is highly recommended that all students of the guitar make it a point to enroll at some point in their musical journey. Leave this class with enough material to keep you busy for years. Whether you want to write your own songs, become a hot lead guitarist or just increase your musical vocabulary and ability to jam and make music with others - this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective. Examine intervals, chord and scale construction, inversions, and progressions in the context of traditional and pop genres. It is highly recommended that all students of the guitar make it a point to enroll at some point in their musical journey. Leave this class with enough material to keep you busy for years. Whether you want to write your own songs, become a hot lead guitarist or just increase your musical vocabulary and ability to jam and make music with others - this is the class for you!

Approach music theory from a guitarist’s perspective. Examine intervals, chord and scale construction, inversions, and progressions in the context of traditional and pop genres. It is highly recommended that all students of the guitar make it a point to enroll at some point in their musical journey. Leave this class with enough material to keep you busy for years. Whether you want to write your own songs, become a hot lead guitarist or just increase your musical vocabulary and ability to jam and make music with others - 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

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.

In this class, we explore a wide repertoire of fingerstyle instrumentals from popular songs, blues, Celtic, classical and maybe a song or two. Some material will be in altered tunings. The class material will include tablature, audio and sometimes video files. Students must be comfortable with tablature and have some fingerpicking experience.

Electric Guitar Styles Overdrive is an ongoing class for those intermediate guitarists who have the desire to play electric. Our focus will be on advancing technique, rhythm, speed, and tonal control of the instrument. Songs will be presented and taught with consideration to enhancing and harnessing the techniques needed to make each song sound as much like the original as possible.

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

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

Melodies. Focus the rhythm techniques learned in Flatpicking 1 into a solid foundation for single note playing. The pick hand mechanics are the same, but instead of playing all six strings you play one at a time. Emphasis will be on down-up pick strokes, tone, and timing. Worksheets and fiddle tunes will be the materials used to build your skills. Tunes tabbed out will be provided.

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.

In this class, we’ll break out of the familiar open and barre chord shapes and take your playing higher up the neck. We’ll find straightforward ways to access new sounds, shapes, and voicings that reveal the intuitive logic of the guitar. How to find chords, how to color them, how to abbreviate them, how to stack them—all this will be explored, giving you new tools for creating dynamic, expressive guitar parts that work across a range of styles.

Join us for an evening of rich melodies, sharp lyricism, and emotionally resonant songwriting as we explore the music of Aimee Mann. From her 'Til Tuesday days (“Voices Carry”) to her acclaimed solo work (“Save Me,” “Wise Up,” “Calling It Quits”), Aimee’s catalog offers plenty of depth for musicians and music lovers alike. Co-hosted by Old Town School teaching artist Tommi Zender and special guest Carey Anne Farrell, this workshop welcomes all instruments and voices. Chord charts and lyrics will be provided. Come ready to play, sing, and appreciate one of the most distinctive songwriters of our time! Don’t forget to bring a capo!

Do barre chords leave you feeling frustrated? You’re not alone—but they don’t have to! In this 8-week class, we’ll take the mystery (and misery) out of barre chords with a step-by-step approach that builds both technique and confidence. Through an exciting mix of songs spanning different genres, you’ll learn to transition smoothly between open chords, barre chords, and other chord shapes. From rock to folk, pop to blues, you’ll discover how barre chords can unlock a whole new level of flexibility in your playing. We’ll also explore partial barre shapes and variations, helping you ease into the technique without the struggle. Whether you’re new to barre chords or looking to refine your skills, this class will empower you to play your favorite songs with ease while strengthening your overall guitar technique. Let’s make barre chords fun and approachable—come join us!

Ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Whether you’re jamming along to your favorite songs or looking to add some edge to your playing, this 8-week class will teach you iconic guitar riffs and licks from rock, blues, pop, and beyond. Designed for guitarists who already know their way around the fretboard, this class focuses on building technique, developing muscle memory, and learning to play riffs that are instantly recognizable. In this class, you’ll: Master riffs from classic and modern songs Learn techniques like bending, sliding, and palm muting Practice building speed and precision Improve your rhythm and timing while playing with others Gain confidence in your ability to improvise and play along with recordings By the end of the session, you’ll have a collection of riffs under your belt and the skills to start playing them effortlessly. This class is ideal for anyone who already plays some guitar and is looking to have fun while building their skills in a supportive and relaxed setting.

"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!

Want to play the songs you love? This class is all about learning and jamming to popular music from across the decades—rock, pop, indie, and beyond. We’ll focus on essential strumming patterns, chord progressions, and riffs that define the sound of pop music. Along the way, you’ll pick up techniques to make your playing more dynamic and expressive. What You’ll Learn: Common chord progressions found in hit songs Strumming and rhythm techniques for different styles How to play iconic riffs and melodies Tips for singing and playing at the same time Playing in a group and building confidence Expect a mix of classics and modern favorites—think The Beatles, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac, Ed Sheeran, and more! No need to read music—just bring your guitar and get ready to play.

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

Want to finally crack the code of reading music on the guitar? This class will guide you through the basics of sight reading, helping you recognize notes, rhythms, and melodies in standard notation. We’ll work on reading easy tunes, rhythm exercises, and simple ensemble pieces to build fluency and confidence. Perfect for guitarists who’ve always relied on tablature but want to develop real reading skills in a supportive group setting!

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!

Let’s dive into the art of strumming! We’ll start by mastering basic rhythm patterns, from straight beats to swing. You’ll learn a simple strum and how to add rhythmic flair, along with tips on choosing the right pattern for your song. Whether you're a beginner or already playing, this class will help you build a solid foundation in essential strumming techniques. From simple folk songs to more intricate rhythms, you'll gain the skills to bring groove and style to your playing across multiple genres!

This class delves into Taylor Swift's mighty song catalogue, using songs we love to expand our skills on the guitar. Each session features a new collection of songs pulled from across all the different “Eras”. Song requests are also welcome and influence what is brought in each session. This class is perfect for Guitar 2 level + above: guitar players with a basic knowledge of open chords (including F, Bm, and Dm) and simple strum patterns.

This class delves into Taylor Swift's mighty song catalogue, using songs we love to expand our skills on the guitar. Each session features a new collection of songs pulled from across all the different “Eras”. Song requests are also welcome and influence what is brought in each session. This class is perfect for Guitar 2 level + above: guitar players with a basic knowledge of open chords (including F, Bm, and Dm) and simple strum patterns.

Journey through six decades of one of America’s greatest songwriters. Acoustic or electric—Dylan’s catalog is massive and full of gems. We’ll explore his evolving sound, sharp lyricism, and the music that inspired generations.

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!