Wednesday, July 8

Recording these days may appear easier than ever especially with the help of affordable software and portable equipment managed from a laptop, set-up on less space than a desk top. It’s all really cool; the potential for state of the art quality recordings from home is a reality. The bigger question may be how hard is it to run this new technology? Our next Master Class is geared to answer that a much more. Join us, Wednesday, July 8th as Artichoke invites our good friend Dean Baskerville over to discuss Recording at Home or in a Professional Environment. Another thing you may want to know is when to enlist the services of a pro – the right person who can listen, tweak and transform your project into something that matches the quality of the marketplace. We believe you’ll enjoy meeting Dean and hearing his spin on the challenges and rewards of recording. Dean has a few demonstrations planned for class plus some samples of what he uses to achieve great sound. Make your reservations soon class size is limited. Dean Baskerville has been engineering, mixing, mastering recordings for over twenty–five years. During his tenure he has worked with many of Portland’s top recording artists - folks like; Tom Grant, Vagabond Opera and Ellen White. As Northwest engineers go Baskerville is certainly one of the very best easily verified by the national recognition he’s received for excellence in recording. One of those awards was for his work on Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun.” In addition to recording clients at his home studio, Dean shuffles between projects at Dead Aunt Thelma’s, Jackpot Recording and Kung Fu Bakery as well as working as a Professor at Clackamas Community College.

Saturday, July 18

Come to Portland's first and only three chord ukulele jam! Each month Jim and Scott will lead you through a bunch of three chord tunes from a specific genre. July's theme is Motown Hits.

Saturday, July 18

Yes, Uke is the perfect instrument for a rousing Irish Session. Come on down and we will learn some great fiddle tunes by ear.

Wednesday July 22

Students will receive charts for 6 different songs in the bluegrass, folk, rag, swing, funky, and classical music genres. We will learn techniques for playing the songs and practicing them. Chord charts, melody and other techniques discussed. Students can practice and let these songs simmer for a month.

Wednesday, August 19

After reviewing the songs from part 1, students will delve deeply into each song and discover more techniques to add to their mandolining repetoire. This workshop is also for intermediate students who choose to skip part 1.

Begins September 15

This class will explore songwriting as a means to uncover and express deeply-felt truths of the songwriter. We'll look at aspects of songwriting craft, but our main focus will be on the songwriting process itself. What makes a song feel 'true'? How does the songwriter invite and listen for truths that want to be told, then stay true to the song's heart even while using craft to shape it into a work of art?

We'll draw inspiration and guidance from great songwriters and poets, but most of all from the collective wisdom and experience of class participants. We'll write in class and between classes, share our songs, and explore ways of listening and responding that help draw out the writer's intention rather than impose the listener's. We'll create an inspiring, non-judgmental and fun space in which to deepen our songwriting practice.

As poet William Stafford wrote, "There is a knack about writing; that knack apparently comes to the individual through performing the act of writing and the act of considering writings. The aim is to induce a kind of jog through literature and its settings. It's a group project, the class; and if we can work it right the riches of the group will provide for us all."

The class is most suited for those already writing songs, but all levels are welcome. To register or if you have any questions, please contact Matt Meighan at matt@mattmeighan.com or 503-281-1291.

Begins June 23

This is a fun time for all those who have "been thinking about it." No musical background is required. We will have fun learning the basics of forming chords, strumming and playing songs. Everyone in the class will end up being able to play a song on your own and with other musicians. Would you like to sit around the campfire and strum along? Do you sing and would like to accompany yourself? This is a great opportunity to bring music into your life. And it's a great time!

Begins Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Always wanted to learn the old time banjo? Now’s your chance to get started! Get that banjo out from under the bed and come on down. We will be learning how to play the old time banjo from step one! We will start with the basics of how to hold and tune the banjo and then move quickly into mastering the frailing strum and left hand techniques. Utilizing by-ear learning, clear, step-by-step instruction, and time for individual coaching, we’ll have some fun learning how to wrangle this amazing instrument. By the end of the six weeks, you should be comfortable with the frailing strum, adept at basic chord changes, know how to do hammer-ons, slides, pull-offs and other fun left-hand techniques, and have several tunes in your repertoire! Here’s what one of Leela’s banjo students said: "Leela is a great and generous teacher. She introduced me to some magical banjo tunes and tunings and helped me hugely in learning to listen and play by ear. Her easygoing teaching style and sparkling, clean playing lured me down the first strange, crooked, and colorful paths of old time music."

Begins Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Want to take your old time banjo playing to the next level? For this class, I will assume that know how to tune your banjo, that you are comfortable with the frailing/clawhammer strum, that you are familiar with slides, pull-offs, and hammer-ons, and that you know at least several tunes and chords in the G tuning. From there, we will venture further into the wonderful world of the old time banjo! We will spend a bit of time perfecting the clawhammer technique and introducing or refining drop thumbing. Our focus will be on expanding your repertoire and moving your playing to the next level. I’ll be teaching a selection of old time tunes in the G tuning, as well as the Modal and Double C tunings. Here’s what one of Leela’s banjo students said about her teaching: "After muddling through years of instruction books and tabs, Leela's clear instruction helped me to hear the music in a way that elevated my banjo playing to a new level. Her creative arrangements of classic tunes have inspired me as I work to develop my own style."

Thursday, July 23 and Tuesday, August 4

This energizing and joy-filled class will explore how storytelling and songs can foster compassionate classrooms and facilitate learning. Educators will learn how to implement music and stories in their classrooms to create a positive community, build healthy social-emotional relationships between students, increase feelings of acceptance, and decrease bullying. Learn a specific repertoire of theme-based songs and stories about respect and kindness. No musical background necessary!

Begins Monday, June 22, 2009

With a patient, light-hearted approach, Leela will help you discover the power of voices raised in harmony. Through large and small group singing, we will practice the fundamentals of two-, three-, and four-part harmony using by-ear techniques. This class is all about singing . . . singing together, finding your voice, experiencing the power of voices raised in song together, listening, laughing, and generally having lots of fun. We will learn to understand harmonies and how they work by SINGING many different kinds of songs, from contemporary folk to old country. All abilities and experience levels are welcome. Come explore the possibilities! Here is what a few former members of Leela’s By-Ear Harmony Singing classes have said: "I loved Leela's harmony singing class! No matter how tired I was at the end of the day, it lifted me to go sit with a small group of strangers and sing! The friendly informal atmosphere and Leela's teaching style made it a comfortable experience for everyone. It was marvelous to learn a different song each week and to find at the end of a class, I could sing not only the melody but the high harmony and low harmony--by heart. To be able to stand at the end of the night and make music, interchanging the parts--inspiring! " "The class was fun and it brought me joy to sing with others. I found a greater range in my voice and began to exercise it in a way I never have. Leela is a fabulous teacher! Even for a beginner like me, I felt I could sing with others and hold my own and I also had room to make mistakes and sing off key."

Begins Wednesday, June 17

Love to sing in the shower? Have a bucket, but can't carry a tune in it? Or just feel very shy about singing? Anyone can learn to sing! Come learn the basics: breath tone intervals melody rhythm, and how to sing on key and how to sing with others. We'll use songs from around the world too! Have fun in supportive, sometimes downright goofy, environment.

Second Saturday Monthly

Welcome to the world of blues guitar! This class will immerse you into this wonderful style of music. Along the way, you will also learn about different blues players, old and new. You'll learn numerous songs and techniques including strums, rhythms, turnarounds, fills and more. We'll also cover basic theory as it applies to the blues. Lots of playing in class and all songs are provide in tab format. Contact Dave for more information at 503 757-7522 or dave@davemullany.com.