This page is devoted to the Level 1 classes being offered at 10 and 1:30. To find links to other time periods or classes at other levels, please see the Schedule Overview page.
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Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
Douce Ambiance: Sounds and Chords
In this class we will start to build our rhythm foundation by exploring the right & left hand technique and chord shapes that will help you get “the sound”.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
Swing 42
Let’s work on the fundamentals of rhythm technique while also learning idiomatic chord voicings for the tune Swing 42
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
Douce Ambiance: Building Vocabulary & Making the Changes
In this class, we will work on strategies for simplifying the chord progressions we solo over, building our Django-style vocabulary, and how to not get overwhelmed when you try to actually use your new licks in a solo.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
What to Play Over a 1-6-2-5
Learn an etude that will give you some ideas on what to play and when to play it
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
I’ll See You in My Dreams: Chord Shapes Big and Small & More Sound
In this class, we will continue to develop our vocabulary of chord voicings so you can move through chord progressions with relative ease. We will also review how to get a good rhythm sound.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
Swing 48 (Minor Blues)
We will cover rhythm fundamentals with a focus on the “bass line” accompaniment technique
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
I’ll See You In My Dreams/Sweet Georgia Brown: Soloing Melodically
In this class we will learn how to use choice parts of the melodies of lots of different tunes, as well as fun hummable phrases from Django’s solos, to build easy-to-play melodic solos of our own
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
Swing 48 (Minor Blues)
Every good story requires great organization! Let’s talk about how that applies to your solos over a minor blues
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
Bossa Dorado/Troublant Bolero: Rhythms Beyond Swing
In this class, we will explore the rhythmic figures and techniques we use when we play Bossas, Sambas, Rhumbas, Funk/R&B, and Boleros in a Django-style context.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
I’ll See You In My Dreams
Rhythm fundamentals with a focus on standard and alternative chord voicings for “I’ll See You in My Dreams”
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
Swing 42 & Nuages: Playing with Expression & More Django Style Vocab
In this class we will work on our vibrato, how we get different sounds out of the guitar, and we will continue to build our Django-style vocabulary.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
I’ll See You In My Dreams
Let’s learn the simplest form of the melody and then talk about how we can use diatonic/simple substitutions to navigate the changes
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
Nuages and Requests: Ballads and Putting It All Together
In this class, we will revisit the topics from the rest of the week, talk about what and how to practice going forward and explore the wonderful world of ballad playing. If you have questions about a specific tune, please bring them up here.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
Lady Be Good
Rhythm fundamentals with a focus on various ways to end a song as a rhythm guitarist
Jack Soref — Chapin Foyer
What is This Thing Called Love?: Putting it All Together & International One Note Solo Day
In this class we will review, and build on our Django Style Vocabulary, how to use our licks when it’s actually time to solo, how to build your sound, and we’ll play an improvisation game that never fails to be a little bit magical.
Sami Arefin — Chapin LR
Lady Be Good
Let’s learn how to play the melody and then how to harmonize it with a “chord melody“