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Joe Miller
Guitar and Ukulele Group Classes
For Adults and Teens
Spring 2016
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All classes will be held at Roots Music Marin, 1455 East Francisco Blvd, San Rafael
For more information, email Joe or call him at 
(415) 480-9618
There are two ways to register:
You can mail a check for $185 to:
Joe Miller
c/o Eric Schoenberg Guitars
106 Main Street, Tiburon, CA 94920,
and include your email address and the name of the class; or you can go to MarinLearn.com (Mount Tamalpais Community Education)and type in guitar, ukulele, or music theory to register online.
CLASSES IN GENERAL
Joe teaches group classes at Roots Music Marin on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the school year. Classes are an hour long, and cost $185 for a 9-week series. More information on Joe and the classes is available at JoeGuitarMiller.com.
UKULELE CLASSES
BEGINNING UKULELE
Absolute beginners are welcome! The ukulele is easy and fun to play. Learn some simple chords and strums that you can use to play your favorite songs. All you need to bring is your ukulele, music is provided. The class is for adults and teens.
Tuesdays, April 19 – June 14, 2016
7 - 8 PM
$185 for 9 weeks
CONTINUING UKULELE
This class is for those who know about ten chords and can keep a steady beat. Continue improving your musical skills while playing songs like Over the Rainbow and Surfin’ USA.
Wednesdays, April 20 – June 15, 2016
8:05 – 9:05 PM
$185 for 9 weeks
ADVANCED UKULELE
For adults and teens who know common chords and can handle slightly complicated rhythms. Continue to develop your musicianship while having fun playing familiar songs by the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and others. The class occasionally performs at old folks homes, under the name “The Ukes of Hazzard.” This extra activity is optional for class members.
Thursdays, April 21- June 16, 2016
7 – 8 PM
$185 for 9 weeks
BEGINNING GUITAR
BEGINNING FOLK / POP GUITAR
Learn to play the guitar! Absolute beginners are welcome. You will learn the fundamentals of playing folk, rock, and blues. The class covers all the basics, and is also suitable for intermediate players who want to improve their skills: rhythm, reading music, and a few scales. The emphasis is on forming good habits and understanding basic concepts, like knowing the names of the notes. The fee includes a copy of the Hal Leonard Guitar Method.
Tuesdays, April 19 – June 14, 2016
8:05 – 9:05 PM
$185 for 9 weeks
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED GUITAR
NEW CLASS! AMERICAN FINGERSTYLE GUITAR AND JAM SESSION
Learn American Fingerstyle Guitar: Travis Picking and basic arranging. People with classical guitar experience are very welcome in this class; some ability to read music is very helpful. Also learn what to do at a jam session: how to lead a song, how to solo over a chord progression, and basic jam session etiquette.
Wednesdays, April 20 – June 15, 2016
6:45 to 8:00 PM
$185 for 9 weeks
MUSIC THEORY
MUSIC THEORY FOR GUITARISTS AND OTHER STRING PLAYERS, Level 1
Guitarists at all levels are welcome, as are ukulele and mandolin players. Learn about major and minor scales, key signatures, transposing, the Circle of Fifths, and what chords go with what scales. Learning theory will help you get to a new level of ability. This is primarily a pencil-and-paper class, not a playing class. “In spite of taking guitar lessons off and on for almost 30 years, I never really understood my instrument until now” – C. D., Mill Valley.
Those who want to learn to read music should consider taking the Beginning Folk/Pop Guitar Class. For more information please contact Joe Miller, JoeMiller1@gmail.com, or call (415) 480-9618.
This class will be offered again in September, 2016
MUSIC THEORY FOR GUITARISTS AND OTHER STRING PLAYERS, Level 2
Guitarists at all levels are welcome, as are ukulele and mandolin players. Learn about major and minor scales, key signatures, transposing, the Circle of Fifths, and what chords go with what scales. Learning theory will help you get to a new level of ability. This is primarily a pencil-and-paper class, not a playing class. Those who want to learn to read music should consider taking the Beginning Folk/Pop Guitar class.
This class will be offered again in October, 2016.
ONE FINAL TIP RE SETUPS
To make learning easier, it is worthwhile to make sure your guitar or ukulele is set up so it is easy to play. The majority of students have instruments on which the strings are too far away from the frets, and I recommend you get an expert to check this and adjust it if necessary. The best place for professional setups is Eric Schoenberg Guitars, 106 Main St., Tiburon; note they are closed Mondays. For the quickest turnaround, I suggest you take your instrument there on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The cost varies from about $25 for a ukulele to $25 - $75 for a guitar.
This distance between the strings and the frets changes over time – it is affected by changes in humidity, and by the fact that the strings are constantly pulling on one side of the neck.
