Gryphon often hosts group classes featuring our excellent teaching staff. Contact the instructor directly for more information or to sign up for the class of your choice.
Jack Tuttle: Beginning Mandolin, Bluegrass jamming for guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and bass
Carol McComb: All-levels acoustic guitar, voice, harmony singing and songwriting
Ed Johnson: Intermediate acoustic guitar
Greg Vaughn: Beginning/Intermediate ukulele
Jack Tuttle’s Bluegrass Classes
Beginning Mandolin (Level 1 to 2)
Tue, 6 to 7:00pm, $190 (includes Jack’s mandolin book)
We’ll cover all of the basics of beginning mandolin in this introductory class. Both soloing and chord playing will be studied with focus on establishing good fundamentals with the pick as well as proper left-hand technique. Repertoire will include simple fiddle tunes and bluegrass songs, covering a variety of mandolin techniques. We’ll explore practicing exercises and proper techniques to ensure the most efficient learning and then put it all together in a low pressure group environment. All materials will be available in both music and tablature. A great class for guitarists looking for something different as well as the beginning mandolin player.
Bluegrass Jam Class: Two Classes (Level 2 to 3)
Tues or Wed, 7 to 8pm. $180, Eight weeks
This class is for those who want to play with others. We’ll put together some standard bluegrass songs and work on playing and singing them as a group in the bluegrass style. Tablature and mp3s will be provided for those who need help with soloing. For guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and bass. Prerequisite: Must be able to play chords in time. Starts April 4th and 5th
Beginning Bluegrass Jamming for Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Fiddle, etc.
Wednesdays, 6 to 7pm. Eight weeks, $180
For those who want to get started playing with others in a friendly, low pressure environment. We’ll play bluegrass music in a relaxed and easy setting. We’ll build up a repertoire of bluegrass songs and play them in a group at a slower tempo. Handouts with easy solos, chords and lyrics will be provided. Singing encouraged, but not required. If you’ve taken Jack’s Beginning Classes and mostly kept up, this class would be the ideal follow up. Prerequisite: Ability to play most standard chords in time. Starts Wed, April 5th
Spring session starts April 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th
MONDAYS
5 – Starting to Play
6 – Folk Standards
7 – Starting to Play
TUESDAYS
5 – Bluegrass and Carter Style #1
6 – Songwriting – Focus on Memory and Chords
7 – Americana & Its Roots #5
WEDNESDAYS
5 – Easy Acoustic Rock #2
6 – Already Picking Some
7 – Old Time & Bluegrass Harmony Singing
THURSDAYS
5 – Folk Favorites #1
6 – Country Classics #2
7 – Light Rock & Pop #1
Registration: Full class details and online registration
About Carol: Workshops are led by Carol McComb, a Bay area singer, songwriter, recording artist and guitarist with over 35 years experience teaching these classes. She has authored a best selling guitar book, written many articles for Acoustic Guitar magazine and taught at many music camps in the U.S. and Canada. She has toured extensively in duos and bands and also with Linda Ronstadt and Joan Baez.
Learn more about Carol McComb >
Contact: by email at carol@carolmccomb.com or phone (650) 530-2526
Website: www.carolmccomb.com
Loaner Guitars: To reserve a loaner guitar for the Starting to Play classes, call Gryphon Stringed Instruments at 650-493-2131.
Greg Vaughan: Rock Your Uke this spring!
8-week group class
Thursday April 6, 2017 7:00 pm (one hour classes)
Cost: $170The goal of this beginning/intermediate class will be to continue working on ukulele basics and playing popular songs in a group setting.You do NOT need to have taken our other classes to take this one. Artists such as the Twenty One Pilots, Bruce Springsteen, and more! Starting April 6, 2017 Thursdays 7-8 pm $170 for eight weeks (one hour classes). Questions? Contact Greg at:greg.guitar@sbcglobal.net
Need a ukulele for the class? Gryphon will provide a free take-home rental ukulele for the duration of the class.
Questions? Contact Greg at: greg.guitar@sbcglobal.net or call 650.858.0667
Ed Johnson
Rhythmic Grooves For Acoustic Guitarists (for intermediate players):
Put some heat in your playing this winter and get your groove on, with a detailed study of classic and modern blues, rock, and reggae standards! We’ll cover fundamental right hand technique (including playing with a pick and basic finger style), and left hand techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and the most efficient ways to play bar chords. We’ll make ample use of basic first position chords. Prerequisite: Students should have a command of the basic first position major, minor, and dominant 7th chords (you’ll learn some new chord forms in the first position as well!).
