VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT CLASSES! NEW FALL SESSION STARTING SOON!
Please note: Sign ups for all virtual classes will take place either for the full session or one week at a time. Classes will take place over Zoom, a free video-conferencing app! We will send you a reminder prior to each class, and you will be able to join the class by clicking on the link provided.
Featured One Day Workshops:
VIRTUAL Winter Wassail Workshop with Lynn Noel
Saturday, December 5th, 2020, 2pm-4pm
Bring the Philadelphia Folk School to the comfort of your home with a crash course in the music, history, and culture of the holiday folk tradition of Wassailing!
Wassail!
A virtual feast of Ancient and Victorian song and custom for midwinter merriment!
Wes-hael! Be hale and hearty in good company. Complement your family traditions to drive the cold winter away and hail the returning light. This festive workshop is rich with midwinter customs for wassailing your neighbors, the punch bowl, the Yule log, birds, beasts, and the company with fun, fire, and foolery.
This Online Wassail features boisterous wassail songs, carols for awakening the trees, recipes for a groaning board of Victorian and Renaissance holiday fare, new wassail songs for the homeless and for caregivers, and photos and video of a giant silver wassail bowl of flaming wine. Come sing Fathom the Bowl and other favorites, and learn some ancient and remarkable winter songs and customs!
Sing along from the online Mallard Wassail Book while Lynn regales you with the stories behind the songs. You may want to prepare your own Groaning Board of festive food and drink from the Mallard Wassail Book of Gode Cookery. There might even be a mummers’ play–you never know with the Paper Bag Mummers. Join in the holiday fellowship of song and embrace the true meaning of Wassail!
Register for a Virtual Winter Wassail Workshop here!
VIRTUAL Fiddling Demystified: Moving With The Music with Eliza Carthy
Saturday, January 9th, 2021, 12pm-2pm
Moving with the Music with Eliza Carthy!
Yorkshire fiddler, singer and tour de force, Eliza Carthy demonstrates how to accompany yourself on the fiddle while singing, an interesting problem many fiddlers would like to solve. Come away from this two-hour intensive with several concrete suggestions to improve your coordination between voice and fiddle. Learn an easy lyric and backup line and start learning to accompany yourself!
Register for Virtual Fiddling Demystified: Moving With The Music with Eliza Carthy Here!
Full Class Sessions:
VIRTUAL Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 5-5:45pm, January 5th, 2021 through February 9th, 2021
Getting beyond three chords. Take your ukulele a bit further as we dive into more complex songs and simple solo arrangements while expanding on the basics you learned in beginner class. Suitable for anyone that can strum confidently through easy songs without too much hesitation between chords.
Register for Virtual Intermediate Ukulele Here!
VIRTUAL Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 6-6:45pm, January 5th, 2021 through February 9th, 2021
Bring the Philadelphia Folk School to the comfort of your home with a crash course in the most adorable instrument around! On a week to week basis we will study and learn everything from the beginning, no prior music experience necessary. We’ll explore tuning the uke, proper posture, open position chords and learn a host of old folk music.
Register for Virtual Beginner Ukulele Here!
Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45pm, January 25th, 2021 through March 22nd, 2021 (no class February 15th)
Learn to play simple traditional folk songs and elementary blues on one of America’s most popular, portable instruments – the harmonica! Basic techniques such as bending, trilling, tongue-blocking, vibrato, and wah-wah will be covered. Individual attention will be given to each student. No musical background is required. Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent) to the first class. Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night. (Optional: bring a tape recorder, a digital recorder, or some other recording device if you wish to record the classes.)
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER’S HARMONICA HERE
Blues Harmonica 1 (Ages 16 and up)
Mondays, 8pm – 9:15pm, January 25th, 2021 through March 22nd, 2021 (no class February 15th)
Let’s continue our work with the harmonica and focus on the Blues. The harmonica’s unique sound is integral to the distinctiveness of many great blues bands. Learn some techniques and styles of background and lead playing. We will work on songs by Slim Harpo (“Something Inside Me,” “Raining In My Heart”), Little Walter (“Last Night,” “Hoochie Coochie Man”), Sonny Terry (“Bring It On Home To Me”), etc. Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C-major harmonica such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent, to first class. Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night. (Optional: bring a digital recorder or some other recording device.) (Note: This class is for people who have taken Harmonica For Beginners or others who have acquired similar skills and knowledge and have Seth’s permission to take the class.)
REGISTER FOR BLUES HARMONICA 1 HERE
VIRTUAL Fiddling Demystified with Donna Hebert
Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm EDT, Beginning April 15th JOIN ANYTIME
Aimed at intermediate-advanced fiddlers and violinists and mandolin players but all are welcome.
Learn the language of theory a tune at a time — and never forget it. We’ll cover the three most common harmony styles in western fiddling, using classic fiddle tunes to illustrate them. We’ll play with rhythm riffs, harmony runs and work out individual backup strategies based on your own abilities. You’ll see your fingerboard more wholly as well as learn new rhythms and harmonies. Handouts include sheet music, chord charts, and mp3s, but all tunes are also taught by ear. Some knowledge of music theory is helpful but not required.
Register for Fiddling Demystified Here!
Virtual Intermediate I Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Thursdays, 7pm-7:45pm NEW JANUARY SESSION IN THE WORKS! PLEASE CHECK BACK!
Play a little guitar but want to improve? In Intermediate guitar we will learn new and interesting chords, more complex strumming patterns from folk and blues music, and begin the basics of fingerpicking. We will work on strumming through some favorite folk, pop, and blues songs, as well as highlight skills the class requests. We will also begin working on major and minor scales, and the basics of “soloing”.
Register for Intermediate I Guitar Here!
Virtual Intermediate II & III Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Thursdays, 6pm-6:45pm NEW JANUARY SESSION IN THE WORKS! PLEASE CHECK BACK!
A continuation of the skills of Intermediate II, we will continue working with soloing with the pentatonic blues scale up and down the neck. We will also work on some requests from the class within reason. We will learn the basic harmonic and rhythmic components that create R&B, 60s Rock n Roll, and folk techniques and songs for guitar.
Register for Intermediate II & III Guitar Here!
VIRTUAL Beginner Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
NEW JANUARY SESSION IN THE WORKS! PLEASE CHECK BACK!
Have a guitar lying around but never really got around to learning your first chords? Look no further. Beginner guitar is just that, a primer for the new guitarist. We will begin with the parts of the guitar, how to care for and tune it, and how to hold it. We will get you started on the first handful of chords for your fretting hand, as well as the first strumming patterns for your other hand. All are welcome to begin their journey with the guitar.
VIRTUAL Songwriting with Joe Mackovieki
NOT CURRENTLY IN SESSION, PLEASE CHECK BACK
In songwriting group, our goal will be to awaken the writer within you. We will spend time each session looking into one aspect of or concept within the art of songwriting and creating chord patterns. We will also work with words and learn to edit lines into lyrics and lyrics into songs. There will be no critiquing, just guided drafting and crafting. Come with an open mind and learn something about how musicians put together their compositions and leave with lyrics of your own.
Instruments are welcome and will be used part of the time!
PLEASE NOTE: ALL IN-PERSON ADULT INSTRUMENT CLASSES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS. WE ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION AND PLAN FOR CLASSES TO RESUME ON THE DATES LISTED ON EACH CLASS BELOW.
Beginner Guitar with TJ McGlinchey
Thursdays, 6:30 – 7:30pm, April 2nd, 2020 through May 14th, 2020 (no class April 16th)
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER GUITAR HERE
Intermediate Guitar with TJ McGlinchey
Thursdays, 7:30-8:30pm, April 2nd, 2020 through May 14th, 2020 (no class April 16th)
In Intermediate Guitar we will build upon the skills learned in Beginner, Intermediate, or on your own. We will learn more intermediate level chords, focus on more major, minor, and pentatonic scales, and focus on right-hand strumming techniques in multiple time signatures and folk styles. We will also practice playing together, fostering the ability to play with someone in a pick-up setting using the chords and scales we’ve previously learned. We will also be doing some focused learning of folk repertoire. This is a mixed level intermediate guitar class for all who have taken previous classes at the Philadelphia Folk School or a similar equivalent before.
REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE GUITAR HERE
Beginner Ukulele (Ages 7 and up) with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 7pm – 8pm, April 7th through May 19th, 2020 (No class April 14th!)
A crash course in the most adorable instrument around! In six weeks we will learn everything from the beginning, no prior music experience necessary. We’ll explore tuning the uke, proper posture, open position chords and learn a host of old folk music! Feel free to bring your own ukulele but even if you don’t have one yet we have plenty to use while you’re here.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER UKULELE HERE
Beginner II Ukulele (Ages 7 and up) with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 6pm – 7pm, April 7th through May 19th, 2020 (No class April 14th!)
In this class we will build upon the work we did in Beginner Ukulele! We will add more chords, and strumming patterns to our skill set,as well as expanding our repertoire! Feel free to bring your own ukulele but even if you don’t have one yet we have plenty to use while you’re here.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER II UKULELE HERE
Intermediate Ukulele (Ages 13 and up) with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 8pm – 9pm, April 7th through May 19th, 2020 (No class April 14th!)
Learn the true joy of ukulele as we explore everything from traditional Hawaiian techniques to mainland swing strumming to baroque classical music. You’ll be surprised what this little instrument is capable of! (Note: this class is the correct option for those who have taken Christopher’s Intermediate class before.)
REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE UKULELE HERE
Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45pm, April 20th, 2020 through June 15th, 2020 (no class May 25th!)
Learn to play simple traditional folk songs and elementary blues on one of America’s most popular, portable instruments – the harmonica! Basic techniques such as bending, trilling, tongue-blocking, vibrato, and wah-wah will be covered. Individual attention will be given to each student. No musical background is required. Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent) to the first class. Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night. (Optional: bring a tape recorder, a digital recorder, or some other recording device if you wish to record the classes.)
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER’S HARMONICA HERE
Blues Harmonica 1 (Ages 13 and up)
Mondays, 8:00 – 9:15pm, April 20th, 2020 through June 15th, 2020 (no class May 25th!)
Let’s continue our work with the harmonica and focus on the Blues. The harmonica’s unique sound is integral to the distinctiveness of many great blues bands. Learn some techniques and styles of background and lead playing. We will work on songs by Slim Harpo (“Something Inside Me,” “Raining In My Heart”), Little Walter (“Last Night,” “Hoochie Coochie Man”), Sonny Terry (“Bring It On Home To Me”), etc. Bring a 10-hole diatonic key of C-major harmonica such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Marine Band Model 1896, or equivalent, to first class. Required text may be purchased for $9.00 from the instructor the first night. (Optional: bring a digital recorder or some other recording device.) (Note: This class is for people who have taken Harmonica For Beginners or others who have acquired similar skills and knowledge and have Seth’s permission to take the class.)
REGISTER FOR BLUES HARMONICA 1 HERE
About the instructors:
