Please note: There is no class scheduled for June 12. A replacement class is scheduled on June 19.

If you are an intermediate/advanced player with experience in bluegrass, country, folk, rock, or, of course, swing and jazz, this class is for you. If you are a beginner who can comfortably play the standard "campfire" or "cowboy" chords, don't worry, we'll review the basics as well.

Using songs as examples, we'll review and learn the swing chord fingerings, a.k.a. closed position movable chords, as well as 6, 9, diminished and augmented chords. We'll talk about how to use these chords in common swing progressions, patterns, and turn-arounds, and we’ll use them to spice up everything from Jazz standards to Bluegrass and Country songs. If you're interested in soloing, we'll look at that too, with practical tips you can use right away.

We'll also learn the right hand technique and rhythm patterns that allow us to play with a swing feel, and how to apply these in the various swing styles. If Gypsy Jazz is your thing, we'll learn La Pompe and 3-note chords, but we’ll also look at how swing rhythms work in classic Jazz and Western Swing. Most importantly, we’ll look at how to play with other musicians, in jams or bands.

We'll use as little theory as possible. Knowledge of scales, sight reading or solfege are not required.

From previous students:

"Valuable information about pick/strum technique, chord substitutions, and how to make your solos more interesting and effective. This class has a good balance between talking and playing!"

"I've enjoyed the class and your teaching style, which I describe as practical and laid back."\

"What I find valuable is the go-a-round which forces us to practice playing rhythm properly and to improvise. You are also a kind and encouraging teacher. "

Olivier Zyngier

Olivier Zyngier has been performing and teaching Bluegrass and Swing guitar, mandolin, and bass for many years. He has been a TA and teacher at various bluegrass camps and festivals, the last ones being CBA Father's Day, Aker Creek, and CCMC.