Join our introduction to West-African Handdrumming!
Free drum circles led by Frank Thompson
Further your playing with new songs and techniques!
Extend your ukulele practice with Teaching Artist Emily Bruso and fellow ukulele enthusiasts!
Guitar Strummers at AZ Musicfest will assist beginner to intermediate players in growing their foundational skills to expressively play the guitar in group or personal leisure settings. The following skills will be developed: chord memorization, chord transitions, finger dexterity, accuracy and quality of chord sound, strumming patterns and fingerpicking accompaniment styles. Participants will receive instructor individual support on personal project songs as well as given ample opportunity to play with the other players in class.
Course Overview: Group Piano Fundamentals is a piano course designed for complete adult beginners, offering a supportive and welcoming environment to explore the basics of piano playing and music theory. Using a variety of materials, including printed and digital scores, participants will learn fundamental skills with no prior experience required—just a desire to enjoy the journey of making music. What the Course Covers: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Learn proper body alignment, hand position, movements and coordination. Basic Music Theory: Understand music notation, intervals, scales, and chord progressions using a mix of traditional methods and engaging tools like apps, software, and gamification. Piano Ensemble: Play multiple-part piano pieces with peers, learning ensemble skills in a fun, collaborative setting. Improvisation: Develop basic improvisation skills to foster creativity and musical expression. Course Topics: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures. Musical Terms: Essential terminology for playing and interpreting music. Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions: Build a solid foundation in theory and harmony. Major Scales: Learn how to play scales and apply them to melodies and exercises. Chord Progressions: Focus on primary chords and their role in music. Repertoire: Play melodies in homophonic textures as well as melodies with basic accompaniments (block and broken chords). Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music and handouts tailored for beginners. Access to engaging practice tools and resources: apps for theory, sight-reading, and online video tutorials. NOTE: If the course is full and Musicfest's keyboards are all booked, a student may be allowed to join the class if they bring their own instructor-approved keyboard. Contact josh@azmusicfest.org for more information.
PREREQUISITES: PIANO FUNDAMENTALS I Course Overview: Group Piano Fundamentals is a piano course designed for complete adult beginners, offering a supportive and welcoming environment to explore the basics of piano playing and music theory. Using a variety of materials, including printed and digital scores, participants will learn fundamental skills with no prior experience required—just a desire to enjoy the journey of making music. What the Course Covers: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Learn proper body alignment, hand position, movements and coordination. Basic Music Theory: Understand music notation, intervals, scales, and chord progressions using a mix of traditional methods and engaging tools like apps, software, and gamification. Piano Ensemble: Play multiple-part piano pieces with peers, learning ensemble skills in a fun, collaborative setting. Improvisation: Develop basic improvisation skills to foster creativity and musical expression. Course Topics: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures. Musical Terms: Essential terminology for playing and interpreting music. Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions: Build a solid foundation in theory and harmony. Major Scales: Learn how to play scales and apply them to melodies and exercises. Chord Progressions: Focus on primary chords and their role in music. Repertoire: Play melodies in homophonic textures as well as melodies with basic accompaniments (block and broken chords). Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music and handouts tailored for beginners. Access to engaging practice tools and resources: apps for theory, sight-reading, and online video tutorials.
