, , , , , , , , , , ,

Guitar Workshops

I am excited to be conducting a few workshops in the upcoming months! Here’s what’s on tap…

GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) Conference

  • Friday – Jan 26, 2018
    • 8:45 – 9:45 am
      • Exploring the Fretboard – Improvising using the CAGED system
  • Saturday – Jan 27, 2018
    • 11:15 – 12:15 pm
      • Guitarists Need Rhythm – Teaching Strumming and Finger Picking Patterns through Songwriting

Cayamo

  • February 4-11, 2018
    • Guitarist Need Rhythm – strumming and finger picking patterns (Beginner / Intermediate)
    • Make it Sing – finding your voice on the guitar (Beginner / Intermediate)
    • Exploring the Fretboard – chord shapes and scales up the neck (Intermediate / Advanced)

ASTA (American String Teachers’ Association) Conference

  • Saturday – March 10, 2018
    • 7:00-8:00 am
      • Art of the Jazz Duo: Where Chamber Music Meets Improvisation
      • Duets offer an unparalleled opportunity for two musicians to converse in an intimate, exposed setting. Many jazz musicians have used this to their advantage, creating works that sound closer to modern chamber music. Presenters Greg Byers and Parker Smith will explore the rich history of jazz duets, demonstrate strategies each half can employ, and outline how students of any ability level can listen and interact with a partner.

Guitar Shed

  • Saturday – March 31, 2018
    • 10:00-11:30 am
      • Exploring the Fretboard – Improvising using the CAGED system
      • This session will focus on how to use five open chord shapes to map out the entire fretboard. This chord based approach to soloing is helpful for the beginning to advanced improviser. Differences between harmonic concepts, practice techniques and ear training will be discussed.
        • $30 for current students $40 for new students
/by
, , , , ,

CAMP WOODSHED

CAMP WOODSHED –  JULY 9-13 2018

Have the best week of your summer jamming at Guitar Shed! CALL 404-500-5375 TODAY or email [email protected] to reserve your spot…or sign up in the parent portal!

What to expect: Our camp is 15 hours of musical instruction that feels more like having fun with friends than it does practice. Throughout the week, the students will learn arrangements of fun, popular songs while working on technique, music fundamentals, and playing cohesively with other musicians. At the end of the week, the students will feel more confident about their playing and have memories to last a lifetime.

Who can sign up? Students with at least one year of playing experience ages 11-15

Camp Capacity: 15 students

Tuition: Tuition of $250 for existing students is required to reserve your spot. Tuition is $275 for new students. If your plans change, we can refund 50% of your paid tuition if you let us know BEFORE the scheduled camp begins.

When and where is the camp:

July 9-13 2018 — Monday-Friday 9:30am-12:30pm at Guitar Shed— 1610 Hosea L Williams Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30317

Why Woodshed? 

“Woodshedding” is slang for practicing your musical instrument….and “Shedding” is short for “woodshedding”…that’s how we came up with the name Guitar Shed!

/by
, , , , , ,

Winter Recital Details

Our Kids Recital is this Sunday and the Teens and Adults Recital is the following Sunday! We are very excited to hear you all perform! Read on for all of the details on both recitals and feel free to reach out with any questions…

KIDS RECITAL – Sunday, December 10th

TEENS AND ADULTS RECITAL – Sunday, December 17th

Photo Release: We will have a photographer at both recitals, if you would prefer that you or your child not be photographed please let us know.
Attire: casual, only dress up if you want to 🙂
Poster: Pick up your free poster at the Shed if you haven’t already.

Let us know if you have any questions and…..stay tuned!

/by
, , , , ,

Want to teach at Guitar Shed?

NOW HIRING

Experienced piano, violin and voice teachers wanted at Guitar Shed. Must have previous experience teaching in a music school and ability to work with students of all ages (especially kids 5-12) and skill levels. Must pass background check and demonstrate proficiency on your instrument. Music degree is a plus but not required. Please spend a good amount of time on our website. After visiting our website, send resume and cover letter for consideration. Background in music therapy and early childhood education is a plus! Available days are Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays (and potentially Saturdays)

Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] 

/by

Guitar Technique Workshop – December 2nd

With a little instruction and a bit of practice, anyone can learn to play with proper technique! Poor technique can hold back any guitarist from reaching their true potential. Playing correctly will improve ALL aspects of playing, from speed to stamina to clarity, and makes learning your instrument much more comfortable and enjoyable. While it’s best to learn to play properly from the start, it is never too late to fix bad habits! Whether you’re a singer/songwriter looking to improve your chord transitions or a lead player who wants to finally nail that solo, learning how to work on your technique will help push you in the right direction.

This workshop will cover:
-Basic playing techniques (holding the guitar, picking/strumming, left-hand technique)
-Lead guitar techniques (i.e slides, bends, vibrato, tapping)
-Stylistic techniques (i.e. palm mutes, funk style rhythm, reggae staccato)
To sign up email [email protected] or sign up in our student portal.
Teens and Adults only.

$30 for current students
$40 for non-students

/by

Gift Certificates are here!

Tis the season! Our gift certificates make a great gift for your loved ones.

Gift certificates are $145 and include four consecutive 30 min. and registration. Setting it up is easy, just fill out the form below or give us a call and we’ll get your loved ones on the schedule.

 

/by

Jaminals – Fall Session

We are very excited to announce the return of Jaminals in the fall! Our teachers are on a first name basis here at the Shed, but when I am teaching little guys they refer to me as Mr. Parker.

Before opening Guitar Shed, I taught hundreds of preschoolers music in a school setting. I have always wanted to have my very own early childhood music class and Jaminals is finally here! Jaminals is a group early childhood music class for ages 2-4.

The classes will focus on movement, ear training, instrument exposure and fun with Mr. Parker! This is not a mommy+me class in that adults are not required to be in our “circle.” However, a parent is required to be at the Shed for the duration of the class.

Classes are from 9:30-10:00 am on the following dates and you can register here. Just select “Jaminals” in the instrument field. Classes are pro-rated and it is not mandatory to attend every class.

JAMINALS FALL 2017 Session – 8 CLASSES

October 26 – December 21 (no class on November 23)

October – 26

November – 2, 9, 16, 30

December – 7, 14, 21

Pricing: $25 one time registration fee + $16 / class

(If your family is already registered at the Shed, the registration fee is waived)

/by
, , , , , , ,

Fall Student Showcase Recap

Great job in the Fall Student Showcase at The Pullman everyone! At Guitar Shed there is a performance opportunity for each season. We have a Spring and Fall Student Showcase as well as a Summer and Winter Recital. Keep an eye out for more performance opportunities in addition to these soon!

At our Fall Student Showcase this past weekend we had some first time performers as well as seasoned veterans. All of our Guitar Shedders played beautifully! Thank you for having the courage to perform in front of a live audience. I encourage you to treat each performance as a unique learning opportunity and treat them objectively. It takes some effort to be able to objectively view both the positive and negative aspects of your performance. Make sure to use all aspects of your playing as a tool to keep your ego in check.

There is much to be learned from the performance process and a variety of internal and external factors can affect your desired outcome. By performing regularly, you are able to diminish performance anxiety and grow exponentially as a musician.

Keep Shedding!

/by

We are Open Today

Thankfully, we have power at the Shed and will be open for lessons today 9/12. Due to the unusual weather conditions, we will waive our normal 24 hr. cancellation policy. If you are unable to attend your lesson today, you will receive a makeup credit.

Email is the best mode of communication for now since our phones are being worked on. Feel free to reach out with any questions. Stay safe.

/by
, , , , ,

iGen + Music = Happiness

After listening to a segment on NPR about generation “iGen” I couldn’t help but think about the role music plays in mental health. iGen refers to children born in the mid 1990’s or later and is the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of the smartphone. Most of our young students at Guitar Shed fall into this age range and are doing great things to not succumb to the pitfalls of their generation. They are playing music!

You know what is great about music lessons? During a lesson we are playing music, and if we do use our phones (which is very rare) it is for a tuner or a metronome…not Snapchat or Instagram. Students and teachers are developing a relationship in the real world without distractions.

Music lessons also get people out of the house! There is a reason we don’t do in-home lessons or online lessons at Guitar Shed. Community. We see all of our students and families every week and watch them grow with each performance. We know about their struggles and victories, encouraging them every step of the way.

Studies show that teenagers in iGen are much physically safer, but on the brink of a mental health crisis. Some of the negative impacts that have been linked to too much screen time are loneliness, depression, isolation, sleep deprivation, increased suicide attempts, lack of focus… the list goes on.

An article about iGen in the Atlantic gives the following advice…. “Put down the phone, turn off the laptop, and do something—anything—that does not involve a screen.” Although iGen is the target of this discussion, we adults are not immune either. There are countless benefits to playing and learning an instrument, but now we all need music more than ever.

/by