SIX-WEEK CLASSES

• Beginning Mountain Dulcimer
with Susan Trump, Tuesday, 6:00 - 7:15 pm
April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21

We'll explore DAD tuning, work on strum directions and left hand fingering. We'll learn some fiddle tunes, and other repertoire that works well on dulcimer. Contact Susan for info. Phone: 518-357-4018   Email:

• Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer
with Susan Trump, Tuesday 7:30 - 8:45 pm
April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21

The focus is on repertoire building using a variety of styles, including
fiddle tunes, songs, Celtic melodies, waltzes, while learning appropriate picking, or finger picking techniques and fingerings.. Contact Susan for more info: Phone: 518-357-4018   Email:

•How to Jam
with Terri Lukacko, Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9
Jam? You, too, can learn to jam! Bring your acoustic instrument(s) and learn some simple techniques. Using American old time and Irish tunes, we'll study some common tricks and patterns. We'll apply what we hear to jumping into sessions on the fly. We'll learn at least one tune each week. Recording is strongly suggested. All skill levels are welcome, including listeners.
Contact Terri: 518-708-5128 or

• Beginning Piano Accordion
with Peggy Minore, Tuesday, 6:00 - 7:15 pm
March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9
Basic beginning technique, theory and note reading for both hands. It’s easier than you think. If you have any questions regarding your instrument or ability, contact Peggy: 518-439-1060 or

• Clawhammer Banjo
with Dave Kiphuth, Tuesday, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 9

Have fun learning banjo the old time way with David Kiphuth. We will cover all aspects of Appalachian-style, from basic frailing through advanced drop-thumb clawhammer. Learn the subtleties of Round Peak North Carolina banjo, so loved by fiddlers! We will be learning through repetition and tablature, with simple and more advanced versions of tunes. It is highly recommended that you bring recording devices, either audio or video to class so that you can "take the tune home." For more info, contact Dave at 518-587-4735 or

• Beginning Fiddle
with Mike Otis, Thursday, 5:30 - 6:45 pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11

This course will focus on the basics of playing, including bowing and fingering techniques. You will learn Old-Time and Celtic fiddle tunes by a combination of written notes and learning by ear. The course will also cover practice tips, and the care and feeding of your instrument. For more information, contact Mike at 518-872-0864.

• Beginning Guitar
with Roger Mock, Wednesday, 5:45 - 7:00 pm
March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10

If you’re just starting from square one with the guitar or if you need to freshen up on the basics and give it another go, give this class a try. We’ll get you going on a few good chords, learn a little melody playing, learn the basics of song accompaniment, and try and help you keep the darn thing in tune. For information, call Roger at 518-861-5782 or

• Mandolin I
w/ Mike Otis, Thursday 7:30 - 8:45 pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11
An introduction to mandolin playing, covering both picking and chord techniques, with a repertoire based on traditional fiddle tunes. Instrument care and selection will also be discussed. For more information, contact Mike at 518-872-0864.

• Hands-On Music Theory
with George Ward, Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10
Learning by ear, choosing the right chords to play, using any system of music notation (or inventing your own), all these things and more benefit from a working knowledge of basic music theory. With your instrument in hand (whatever it is), this class will explore scales, intervals, chords and chording, some basics of music notation, key signatures, the cycle of fifths...and probably more. Any instrument - from a pennywhistle or a ten-hole harmonica to a guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass or keyboard is appropriate. And we'll play a few tunes as well. Call George for more information: 518-399-0315 or Email:

• Irish Pennywhistle Repertoire
with George Ward, Wednesday, 6:00 - 7:15 pm
March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10
All you’ll need is a key of D pennywhistle - available at the first class - and some basic knowledge (if you can play a two-octave scale, you’ll be fine). The goals of the class are to give each member a solid collection of new tunes to play and to practise on - from simple to challenging - and to develop everyone’s ability to learn by ear.You won’t need to be able to read music, but all tunes will be available as written music. Tape recorders are strongly encouraged. Questions? Call George at 518-399-0315 or Email

• Beginning Ukulele
with Ron Gordon, Thursday, 6:00 - 7:15 pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11

Begin your uke career! Ron's class at Old Songs will get you started down the path to heavenly strumming.We will learn chords (of course),right hand strumming techniques, some chord melody, jazzy,blues, etc. voicings and some finger picking....depending on our progress. This will all be learned through some classic songs,so singing is definitely part of the program. Handouts provided and recorders recommended. BTW, we'll also delve into some uke history and ukeology along with my personal favorite....uke collecting! For more info, contact Ron at 518-372-4172 or

• Intermediate Ukulele
with Ron Gordon, Thursday, 7:30 - 8:45 pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4, 11

Spiff up your strums and learn some new fingerpicking and tunings at the NEW uke class for those who know the basics. We will learn some set instrumental arrangements such as the famous 12th Street Rag and more chord melody with fingerpicking for a Beatles Song, as example. Handouts provided and a recording device is needed. Hope to see you ukers there! For more info, contact Ron at 518-372-4172 or

6-week Classes are $110 for the term.

Bluegrass Jamming Class

Taught by Bob Altschuler using the Wernick Method*
Tuesdays, May 28 and June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
5 sessions, tuition $150

Playing music with others is the best activity for getting better on your instrument! Using the tried and true Pete Wernick method, Bob will teach fundamentals of bluegrass jamming and build your confidence in playing with others. The music is slow and easy, and you will quickly gain skills while having fun. And,these skills are transferable to other types of music because they are basic to all types of jamming. All skill levels are welcome, and bringing a recording device is recommended.

• All bluegrass instruments welcome
• No jamming experience necessary
• You will be jamming the first class!
• Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching.
• Mistakes allowed!
• Singing not required, but encouraged and taught.
• Easy 2 and 3-chord songs, slow speeds.
• Soloing not required! "Faking" solos taught.

Class and sign up info is at
http://www.drbanjo.com/classes/2013-05-bob-altschuler-albany.php

Bob Altschuler performs and records on banjo with Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass, Shinehill Road and the Dyer Switch Band. His picking has been heard on National Public Radio and on radio and TV commercials. An in-demand instructor since the 70s, he has headed the bluegrass beginner track at Banjo Camp North since 2003. Bob has also written over 90 banjo instruction articles for Mel Bay, Banjo Newsletter and other publications. You can contact him at arobanjo@aol.com or 518-475-7926.