Philadelphia Folk School

VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT CLASSES!

Please note: Sign ups for all virtual classes will take place weekly or by session. Classes will take place over Zoom, a free video-conferencing app! You’ll need to have a Zoom account available on your computer or device to participate in class. We will send you a link to join the class in Zoom no later than 5pm on the day of class.

Featured One Day Workshops:

VIRTUAL Fiddling Demystified: Writing Your Own Tunes With Andrea Beaton

Saturday, March 20th, 2021, 12pm-2pm

Writing Your Own Tunes with Andrea Beaton!

“How Do I Write A Tune?”
Fiddling Demystified and the Philadelphia Folk School present Andrea Beaton, master Cape Breton fiddler and prolific composer. In a two hour workshop, Andrea will demonstrate how she writes a fiddle tune, composing one from start to finish. She’ll discuss her writing process and participants are encouraged to ask questions. This is a deeply interesting topic for people who want to access their inner tunesmith, regardless of musical style, offering the opportunity to closely observe the process of a skilled composer. This workshop is open to all musicians and would-be composers, not just fiddlers.

Full Class Sessions:

VIRTUAL Intermediate Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Tuesdays, 5-5:45pm, April 6th, 2021 through May 11th, 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.

VIRTUAL Beginner II Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Tuesdays, 6-6:45pm, April 6th, 2021 through , 2021

Bring the Philadelphia Folk School to the comfort of your home with a NEW course in the most adorable instrument around! 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!

VIRTUAL Beginner Ukulele with Christopher Davis-Shannon

Tuesdays, 7-7:45pm, April 6th, 2021 through, May 11th, 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.

VIRTUAL Songwriting with Joe Makoviecki

Wednesdays, 6:05pm – 6:50pm, March 3rd through April 7th, 2021

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 II Guitar with Joe Makoviecki

Thursdays, 5pm – 5:45pm, March 4th through April 8th, 2021

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 II GUITAR HERE

VIRTUAL Intermediate III Guitar with Joe Makoviecki

Thursdays, March 4th through April 8th, 6pm-6:45pm

Get yourself playing like a guitar wizard! This class is for students with advanced knowledge of open and barre chords, major/minor scales, fingerpicking, tablature and lead sheet literacy who want to keep working and improving their skills. In this class, 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. 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 III GUITAR HERE

VIRTUAL Intermediate II Guitar with Joe Makoviecki

Thursdays March 4th through April 8th, 7pm-7:45pm

Take your guitar playing to the next level! Guitar players with knowledge of open chords, strumming and some basic fingerpicking skills are welcome to join! In this class, we will continue learning minor and pentatonic (blues) scales, utilizing them in 12-bar blues and rock-n-roll formats. We will also play more difficult pieces and combine fingerpicking with strumming, as well as playing rhythm and lead in the same song. We will also work on blues, folk, and pop songs the class requests.

REGISTER FOR INTERMEDIATE II GUITAR HERE

Virtual Beginner’s Harmonica for Adults with Seth Holzman (ages 16 and up):
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:45pm, April 5th, 2021 through May 24th, 2021

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

Virtual Blues Harmonica 1 (Ages 16 and up)

Mondays, 8pm – 9:15pm, April 5th, 2021 through May 24th, 2021

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

Intermediate Blues Harmonica (Ages 16 and up)

Thursdays, 6:30pm-7:45pm, April 29th, 2021 through June 17th, 2021

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 Fiddling Demystified with Donna Hebert

Wednesdays, 5pm-6pm EDT, 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.

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.

New classes are being added all the time!

Please check back often, as we have moved into a new building and our organization is growing. We will be adding dozens of classes and workshops in the upcoming months. If there is a class or workshop you are interested in, but you do not see it on our list, please email phillyfolkschool@pfs.org to submit a request.

If you are interested in teaching or running a workshop, please fill out this form.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Early Childhood Music Education (0 – 4 years)
Youth Instrument Classes
Adult Instrument Classes
Voice Classes
Professional Development Workshops

Philadelphia Folk School FAQ

Q: WHAT IS THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK SCHOOL? 

A: The Philadelphia Folk School (or, Philly Folk School) is a community school founded by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, a 501c3 non-profit organization, to advance its mission of preserving the past, promoting the present, and securing the future of folk music and related forms of expression through education, presentation, and participation. 

In a nutshell: It’s a community school that teaches people of all ages how to play, sing, share, and come together around music.  

Q: WHERE IS THE PHILADELPHIA FOLK SCHOOL? HOW CAN I VISIT? 

A: The Folk School is in the new PFS venue, at 6156 Ridge Avenue in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia. 

PFS is generally open Mon-Fri, 9-5 and welcomes all to stop by. For a tour and to ensure opportunity to speak with someone about the school, venue, and upcoming events, call 215-247-1300 or email dhaney@pfs.org to make an appointment. 

Q: HOW DO CLASSES WORK?  

A: Classes are usually offered in 8-week sessions, meeting once per week, with savings for registering for all 8 at once. While most instrument classes are designed to lead students through an iterative process, others welcome drop-ins (Wee Folks and PB & Jammers, for example).  

Classes take place at PFS, in our newly-created second floor classrooms.  

Q: HOW DO I SIGN UP? 

A: Registration is available here at PFS.org, and during business hours via phone by calling the office at 215-247-1300, or by visiting the PFS office at 6156 Ridge Avenue. 

Q: WHO TEACHES AT THE PHILLY FOLK SCHOOL?  

A: The Philly Folk School is building a roster of talented, dedicated, and community-minded instructors. All Philly Folk School instructors are professional artists with a demonstrated track record of work in their field/genre/instrument; previous experience with instruction with recommendation; and a dedication to the mission of PFS and the School. 

All instructors working with our youngest folkies and youths have up-to-date Child Abuse History and FBI Criminal History clearance.  