Have you owned a guitar for years but have only a passing acquaintance with it?  Maybe you learned a few chords but never went forward?  Or perhaps you have just started to teach yourself and would like the guidance of a gifted teacher and the encouragement and inspiration of a group setting.

Enter Guitar for Songwriters, Level 1.

In Guitar, Level 1 you will build left and right hand dexterity and develop the vocabulary of chord voicings and strumming and picking patterns, the music theory to connect the dots in your songs and allow you to express yourself and play the songs you love--your own and your heroes'. 

Teachers: Jesse Berent is a working professional of studio and stage (Aly & AJ, Justin Guarino, VV Brown), a USC School of Music graduate, and a gifted teacher. 
Bill Lafleur has taught at Musicians Institute for more than a dozen years, is gifted at managing a room of diverse players, and cites the Beatles as a prime influence on his songwriting. 
Our teachers will demystify the guitar for you in this hands-on class.

When:  The next section begins SATURDAY, 9/18 (6 weeks, 1-2:30pm)
Tuition:  $199. ($174 for current or past Roots students)

Sample Syllabus (actual course details will be fleshed out by the you the participants, your interests, and your tastes)

Week 1
- introduction (frets, fingers, positions, shapes)
- basic technique/finger exercise (coordination, holding pick)
- chords vs. single notes
- guitar tablature (how to read ; numbers/fingers)
- chord diagrams (how to read)
- open chords!!!** (handout )
- begin learning chords/song
Week 2
- finger exercise
- review song
- moving fingers/chord progressions…putting it together*
- basic strumming technique* (one on one/groups)
- new chord(s)
Week 3
- finger exercise
- review song
- strumming (more options)
- new chord(s)/new song(if ready, some students)
Week 4
- finger exercise
- review song(s)
- strumming practice
Week 5
- finger exercise
- review songs
- strumming practice
Week 6
- finger exercise
- performances (solo/group/with teacher accompany)