VIRTUAL & IN PERSON INSTRUMENT CLASSES!
Please note: We currently have sign ups available for virtual classes over Zoom and for our in person classes beginning in January 2022. Classes will note in the title if they are in person.
Featured One Day Workshops:
VIRTUAL Winter Wassail Workshop with Lynn Noel
Saturday, December 18th, 2pm – 4pm
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 VIRTUAL WINTER WASSAIL HERE
Full Class Sessions:
VIRTUAL Songwriting with Joe Makoviecki
Wednesdays, 6:05pm – 6:50pm, January 5th – February 23rd, 2022
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!
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL SONGWRITING HERE
VIRTUAL Beginner Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Tuesdays, 5:30pm-6:15pm, January 11th – February 15th, 2022
For those who are rusty, know a chord or two, or have no experience at all! We will work on the basics of Guitar: the names of parts of the instrument, how to tune, how to hold it, how to play a few common chords, and beginner strumming working toward our first folk song.
REGISTER FOR BEGINNER GUITAR HERE
VIRTUAL Intermediate Guitar with Joe Makoviecki
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm, January 11th through February 15th, 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 Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:15pm, November 16th, 2021 through December 21st, 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!
VIRTUAL Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15pm, November 16th, 2021 through December 21st, 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’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45pm, January 24th, 2022 through March 14th, 2022
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, January 24th – March 14th, 2022
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, 7:45pm – 9pm, Jan 20th through March 10th, 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 Wee Folk (Recommended for ages 0-5)
Every Wednesday, 10:00 – 10:45am, Jan 5th – Feb 23rd, 2022
Our Wee Folk Classes introduce gentle sounds to your Wee Folk’s tender ears with sing-a-longs, stories, and basic children’s percussive instruments. We encourage all our little folkies to sing, dance, and play along with the music, led by our Wee Folk teacher Molly Hebert-Wilson. We also take time to introduce them to new instruments and age-appropriate folksongs alongside children’s music. Classes are based in music appreciation, learning rhythms, incorporating elements of early childhood education into music, and most of all FUN! Classes take place over Zoom live, or you can watch the recording on demand!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL WEE FOLK CLASS
VIRTUAL Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 5:30-6:15pm, February 22nd through March 29th, 2022
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 Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon
Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15pm, February 22nd through March 29th, 2022
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 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!
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.