(Adults)
Follow in the footsteps of Robert Johnson, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton and more as you learn how to play both rhythm guitar and improvised solos over the blues form. In this semester-long class, participants learn and experiment with musical devices such as the pentatonic/blues scale, the 12-bar blues form, movable 7th chord shapes, picking/slurring techniques, and swing/syncopated rhythms. Transcriptions, recordings, and original etudes are used to develop each student’s ability and awareness, with the ultimate goal that students feel comfortable attending and participating in a typical blues jam session.
Please note: The ability to read musical notation is not expected for this class, but students should have a working familiarity with open position chords and at least 6-12 months of experience playing the guitar. Students must provide their own steel-string (non-classical) acoustic or electric guitar, guitar picks, and instrument cable. Amplifiers will be provided.
For more information, please contact Risa Carlson, Guitar Department Chair, at (202) 686-8000, ext. 1104 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
