VIRTUAL & IN PERSON INSTRUMENT CLASSES!
Please note: We currently have sign ups available for virtual classes over Zoom and for our in person classes! Classes will note in the title if they are in person.
Full Class Sessions:
Virtual Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45 pm, June 27th through August 29th, 2022
No Class July 4th and August 22nd
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. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00.
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL BEGINNER’S HARMONICA HERE
Virtual Blues Harmonica I for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 8pm – 9:15pm, June 27th through August 29th, 2022
No Class July 4th and August 22nd
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. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00.(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 VIRTUAL BLUES HARMONICA I HERE
Virtual Intermediate Blues Harmonica (Ages 16 and up)
Thursdays, 6pm – 7:15pm ET, June 30th through August 25th
No Class Thursday, August 18th, 2022
Let’s continue to work on the songs we did in Blues Harmonica 1, including Slim Harpo’s “Something Inside Me” & “Raining In My Heart”, Little Walter’s “Last Night” & (with Muddy Waters) “Hoochie Coochie Man”, Sonny Terry’s “Bring It On Home To Me”, etc. Additionally, let’s work on songs or parts of songs that both you and I may suggest for the class. We’ll continue to work on techniques such as bending, vibrato, and tongue-slapping. For our Zoom classes, have a 10-hole diatonic key of C major harmonica (such as the Hohner Special 20, Hohner Pro Harp, or equivalent) for the first class. Required text may be purchased for $10.00. However, if you already have the Blues Harmonica 1 text, there’s no additional textbook fee.
Note: This class is not for beginners. If you have not taken the Blues Harmonica 1 class, the instructor will need to talk with you to make sure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to take this course.
REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE BLUES HARMONICA HERE
VIRTUAL Beginner 2 Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Tuesdays, 5:30pm-6:15pm, June 7th – July 26th, 2022
Play a little guitar but want to improve? Anyone with knowledge of open chords G, C, D, Em, Am and the ability to strum up and down, slowly, in time is welcome to join! In Beginner II guitar we will learn new and interesting chords, more complex strumming patterns from folk and blues music, and keep working on the basics of fingerpicking. We will practice strumming through some of our favorite folk, pop, and blues songs, as well as highlight skills the class requests. We will also keep developing major and minor scales, and the basics of “soloing”.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER 2 GUITAR HERE
VIRTUAL Intermediate Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm, June 7th – July 26th, 2022
This mixed level Intermediate class is for those who know the basic open chords (C, D, E, F, A, G, and some of their corresponding minor chords) and who have a little experience strumming. We will focus on new chords (7s, barre chords. Etc), some skills (scales and licks), with a heavy focus on learning how to play songs by reading a “lead sheet”.
REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE GUITAR HERE
VIRTUAL Songwriting with Joe Makoviecki
Wednesdays, 6:05pm – 6:50pm, June 8th – July 27th, 2022
In songwriting group, our goal will be to awaken and inspire the writer within you. Our group is a forum for songwriters new and experienced. It works as a circle of song where everyone week folks have a chance to share a new idea, a new song, a question, or just listen along. Every week there will be a prompt designed to touch on and highlight different aspects of songwriting from: lyric techniques, chord progression, genres, writing methods, and more. There will be no critiquing, just sharing, open forum for questions, and encouragement. Come with an open mind, a willingness to write, and learn something about different types of songs and the methods used to write them.Instruments are welcome for sharing, but not necessary.
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL SONGWRITING HERE
VIRTUAL Fiddling Demystified with Donna Hebert
Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm, 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 Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:15pm, NOT CURRENTLY IN SESSION, CHECK BACK SOON!
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!
VIRTUAL Beginner 2 Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:15pm, NOT CURRENTLY IN SESSION, CHECK BACK SOON!
Building upon our beginner course we’ll branch out into more chords, more right hand techniques, and more fun! Any one comfortable with basic chords (C F G ) is welcome to join and we’ll get you caught up nice and quick. This is the perfect class for folks who have taken Beginner Uke with Christopher before!
Register for Virtual Beginner 2 Ukulele Here!
VIRTUAL Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15pm, NOT CURRENTLY IN SESSION, CHECK BACK SOON!
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!
The Philadelphia Folksong Society is now offering numerous music related classes and workshops for children and adults of all ages through the newly established Philadelphia Folk School!
Our Beliefs & Vision
The Philadelphia Folk School believes that folk music is for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
The Philadelphia Folk School believes that everyone deserves music, confidence, and community.
The Philadelphia Folk School seeks to enhance Philadelphia and the surrounding areas by encouraging participation in traditional folk music and educating the public of its history through classes, workshops, and exhibitions, creating community connection, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.