Specialty & Ensemble Classes

Specialty and Ensemble classes for adults provide a thematic exploration into a particular genre, songwriter or topic. These classes are perfect for intermediate musicians looking to expand their skills, dive deeper into themes and genres, while playing music with other instruments.

These classes are geared for players who have played their instrument before, with a basic-intermediate level knowledge of chords and melody.

Fall Session begins the week of September 14!

Each class will also be live-streamed and recorded for individuals who are not able to attend in person.

Specialty Classes

Take a deep dive this session. Specialty classes focus on a specific topic, genre or songs of a single artist.

Alternate Tunings on Guitar
with Ry Mohon

Thursdays, 5-5:55pm, September 17-November 19. $210.

Gain a whole new perspective on your guitar! In this class, you'll learn to turn your guitar differently from EADGBA, and dive into open G, open D, and drop D tunings. Your instructor will break down the new chord shapes to use, as well as discuss why we'd venture away from standard tuning.

Pre-requisites: Guitar 3 or equivalent.

Anyone Can Write a Song

with Randy Lewis Brown

Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm, September 16-November 18. $235.

This class is perfect for the songwriting-curious. Award-winning songwriter Randy Lewis Brown will lead you through idea-generation, form, and other thematic elements of songwriting. Open to all instruments. “The class was truly inspiring … fun, engaging, and it indeed proved that anyone can write a song.” - Mary Geisler

Improvisation for Fretted Instruments

with Zeke Kyoku

Mondays, 6-6:55pm, September 14-November 14. $210.

Description coming soon.

Pre-requisites: Fretted instrument students should be comfortable locating and playing bar chords. All players should be comfortable with a handful of major and minor scale patterns on their instrument.

Music Theory: Understanding the Modes

with Zeke Kyoku

Tuesdays, 6-6:55pm, September 15-November 17. $210.

Description coming soon.

Pre-requisites: Fretted instrument students should be comfortable locating and playing bar chords. All players should be comfortable with major scale patterns on their instrument.

Songs of the Beatles: Growing Your Chord Vocabulary

with Brian Nelson

Mondays, 6-6:55pm, September 14-November 16. $210.

Ready to play and understand different types of chords and chord theory? Dive into sus chords, major, minor, and dominant 7 chords, and others through the songs of The Beatles in this intermediate class. Open to all instruments.

Pre-requisites: Fretted instrument students should be comfortable locating and playing bar chords.

Ensemble Classes

Learn to play in a band! Your instructors will guide you through playing in a group with other instrument-players.

Garage Band
with Zeke Kyoku and Brian Nelson

Mondays, 7-8:15pm, September 14-November 16. $235.

This ensemble class explores rock and blues and is open to all instruments, including (but not limited to) guitar, bass, keys and drums. This is a low-volume, electrified class. Drum kits and practice amps are available for student use, but students are also welcome to bring their own equipment, if they desire. Mics are also available for acoustic instruments. Students can take this class in perpetuity; new songs are explored each session.

Pre-requisites: Level 4 & More class or equivalent.

Folk Ensemble
with Brian Nelson and Karina Wilson/Eric Carlson

Tuesdays, 7-8:15pm, September 15-November 17. $235.

This class explores melody, and chord theory through folk tunes, both old and new. All instruments are welcome, including (but not limited to) guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and bass. Students can take this class in perpetuity; new songs are explored each session.

Pre-requisites: Fretted instrument players should be familiar with closed chord shapes and reading tablature. Melody players should be comfortable either reading music or learning melodies by ear.

Old Time String Band Ensemble

with Brian Nelson and Eric Carlson

Wednesdays, 7-8:15pm, September 16-November 17. $235.

This ensemble class explores tunes from the old-time music genre - from singing Carter Family songs to playing instrumental tunes from all over North America. All instruments are welcome, including (but not limited to) guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and upright bass. Students can take this class in perpetuity; new songs are explored each session. This class will teach tunes by ear, but sheet music is also provided.

Pre-requisites: Fretted instrument players should be familiar with closed chord shapes and reading tablature. Melody players should be comfortable either reading music or learning melodies by ear.

Want to brush up on your skills first? Check out our other classes for adults or explore our upcoming free jams.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

All Queen Bee classes need a minimum of three students to run. If a class does not meet that requirement, the class will be canceled, and registered students will be offered the following choices:

a credit for private lessons or a different group class at the amount of their tuition
the registration fee can be transferred to a fully tax-deductible donation, or
a refund.

Credits must be used within the calendar year; they expire on December 31. To redeem a credit, email hello@queenbeemusicassociation.org. Two-person classes may run as a semi-private lesson, at the discretion of Queen Bee administration and the teacher.

Registration for classes remains open for 3 weeks after a session begins. Students can drop a class and receive a refund for remaining classes through the third week of the session. After week 3, registration fees are non-refundable.