Group Class Schedule

Music is essential to the development of a young child's brain. Learning music early has been proven to stimulate learning in other areas, such as math and phonics. Using easy string and percussion instruments, we will play games, sing songs and even dance in this fun group class where everyone gets their chance to shine! Limited enrollment, so sign up soon.

Nicole Betterman   (Ages 3-4)  10:30-11:15 am  Saturdays, Oct 7-Nov 11 (6 sessions)   $90
[two age groups]   (Ages 4½-6)  11:30 am-12:15 pm  Saturdays, Oct 7-Nov 11 (6 sessions)   $90

Want to be in a band? This is where you start. Get up and running without all the endless hours of unmusical practice. You'll learn soloing, how chords work, and even songwriting. Class size is limited, so call and sign up today. Runs for six weeks.

Joel Morrison   12:30-1:30 pm  Saturdays, Sep 9-Oct 14 (6 sessions)   $110

These classes are a lot of fun and a great way to start! They're paced just right for beginners, and offer a complete introduction in just 8 weeks. Learn famous songs, useful techniques, basic styles and easy theory. Great for brush-up, too.

Dave Zeitlin   8:15-10 pm  Mondays, Sep 11-Oct 30 (8 sessions)   $170
Cheryl Saunders   8-9:45 pm  Wednesdays, Sep 27-Nov 15 (8 sessions)   $170

Superstardom - here you come! Have fun learning current tunes, and get an exciting introduction to music. Good student guitars available for rent (electrics, too!).

David Ellis   4-5 pm  Tuesdays, Sep 12-Oct 31 (8 sessions)   $110

An easy intermediate class. Bored with boom-chicky guitar? Scared of F#m7 flat 5? Don't be! Dave combines fun songs, useful theory and simple techniques (barres, bass runs, etc.) to make the guitar a lot more understandable, and your playing sound really beautiful. A great class!

Dave Zeitlin   6:45-8 pm  Mondays, Sep 11-Oct 30 (8 sessions)   $170

This class picks up where Cheryl's Beginning Guitar left off. You'll improve on all you've just learned while continuing to explore new guitar skills and songs. Lots of fun and highly recommended.

Cheryl Saunders   8-9:45 pm  Thursdays, Sep 14-Nov 2 (8 sessions)   $170

Advanced beginners and premature intermediates welcome. Improve your guitar skills by learning favorite songs, old and new. Hammer-ons, slides, bass runs and basic theory included. No extra charge for barre chords. This class will run for six 2-hour sessions.

Cheryl Saunders   7:30-9:30 pm  Wednesdays, Aug 16-Sep 20 (6 sessions)   $170

Acoustic and electric guitarists can enjoy playing swing, whether they prefer Brian Setzer, Benny Goodman, Big Sandy or Django Reinhardt. There's that driving rhythm (lots of chords and progressions to learn) and the inventive, up-the-neck soloing. Fred demystifies it all and shows you lots of chord and single-note patterns, plus classic tunes. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!

Fred Sokolow   8-9:45 pm  Tuesdays, Sep 12-Oct 17 (6 sessions)   $150

Improvise in the styles of B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Eric Clapton and other greats. Learn rhythm and lead with an emphasis on improvisational playing.

Fred Sokolow   8-9:45 pm  Wednesdays, Sep 13-Oct 18 (6 sessions)   $150

For Acoustic Guitar (Class size limited to 10 — enroll early!)
This more advanced class gives you new ideas for embellishing your playing by learning acoustic fingerpicking and strumming, as well as exact arrangements of Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, etc. Two new songs every week. Authentic open and standard tunings. This is a terrific class!

Kit Alderson   8-9:45 pm  Thursdays, Sep 14-Nov 2 (8 sessions)   $170

You'll learn ragtime and blues solos in the styles of Delta blues greats and Nashville hotshots from John Hurt to Merle Travis. Taught by Pete Steinberg - Southwestern Fingerstyle Guitar Champion. Great fun, and highly recommended!

Pete Steinberg   8-9:45 pm  Thursdays, Sep 14-Nov 2 (8 sessions)   $170

You'll really sound like a pro, doing bends, warbles, hand effects, straight and cross-harp for blues, country and rock. Plus, you'll dig learning basic techniques, songs, riffs and even a little theory. You’ll be jamming with a blues guitar by week four. Bring a "C" Harmonica. For info call (818) 342-0683.

Len Weed  6:30-8 pm  Tuesdays, Sep 12-Oct 31 (8 sessions)   $170

Here's your chance to better your harmonica skills AND have fun. Lots of jamming, new techniques, theory and more. Come in and watch any time without charge.
Please call Dave at (818) 710-7979 before signing up.

Dave Gage   6:30-8 pm  Every Tuesday   $110 (1st of each month)

Learn the entire score of O Brother Where Art Thou, if you want to. In this 5-string class, you, the student, get to pick and choose the tunes as Fred introduces you to all kinds of banjo music: bluegrass, old-time, blues, Beatles, whatever! All the chords, strums and picking patterns you need. You'll be playing tunes at the first class.

Fred Sokolow   6:30-8 pm  Wednesdays, Sep 13-Oct 18 (6 sessions)   $150

Develop your improvisation skills on any instrument! Using jazz and blues repertoire, Antoine will show you exciting ways to apply improv to other musical styles. With scales, chords, and arpeggios, you'll learn creative ear training and memorization, plus topical exercises that apply directly to your instrument. We'll create an ensemble with whatever combination of instruments shows up, and then perform together, each student taking a turn at soloing while the others back him up. Any motivated student is welcome, but it will be very helpful if you already have some basic knowledge of scales and chords.

Antoine Salem   8-9:45 pm  Wednesdays, Sep 27-Nov 15 (8 sessions)   $170

Sound interesting? Wayne Griffith, one of McCabe's main concert sound engineers, is offering a 5-week workshop covering theory and hands-on use of McCabe's sound system. Emphasis on mixing live acoustic acts. Each student will have a chance to assist mixing a live concert here at McCabe's. The course also offers hands-on mixing of live sound-checks. Limited to five, so sign up early!

Wayne Griffith   7-8:45pm  Tuesdays, Sep 26-Oct 24 (5 sessions)   $250

The overwhelming response to Joellen's Klezmer Band Workshop has persuaded her to extend it indefinitely. This exuberant and eclectic music can be traced back centuries, to the wedding and dance music of ancient Europe, and along the way, it's been influenced by Arabic, Persian, Gypsy, Yiddish Theater, and American Big Band sounds. All string, brass, woodwind and percussion players are welcome! You must know either how to keep a rhythm and play chords, or to read music. Please call Joellen at (310) 474-1123 for more information.

Joellen Lapidus   2-4 pm  Sundays, Oct 8 & 22, Nov 5 (3 sessions)   $90 (or $40 per individual session)
Joellen Lapidus   2-4 pm  Sundays, Nov 19, Dec 3 & 17 (3 sessions)   $90 (or $40 per individual session)

You'll have a marvelous time making music with this remarkably easy to play miniature guitar. You'll learn simple chords, strums, and songs from Mr. Ukulele himself, Steve Rose. Bring your own instrument, or play one of ours, if you don't have one yet. It's easy! It's fun! It's our first class for beginners in many years! Come! Enjoy!

Steve Rose   8-9:45 pm  Mondays, Oct 9-30 (4 sessions)   $110

If you want to learn new and interesting strum techniques and rhythms, and to extend your chord knowledge, this 4-session workshop is the ticket. This class is for continuing workshop students, or those with basic skills intact. If you're not sure, call Steve at 310-890-4017.

Steve Rose   8-9:45 pm  Mondays, Nov 6-27 (4 sessions)   $110

Tired of just strumming the same old chords and banging away with your flatpick? Ever wondered how fingerpickers play separate bass lines and melodies? Let 1999 Southwestern Fingerstyle Guitar Champion Pete Steinberg show you how it's done. And it's simpler than it looks! You'll learn basic patterns, chord inversions, open string runs, banjo rolls and two finger-picking songs. Impress your friends! Be popular! Earn big pay!

Pete Steinberg   3-4:30 pm  Sunday, Oct 22   $35

It's easier to learn new songs, pop, rock, jazz or whatever, if you understand progressions. Yes, there is sense to it all and Fred will explain chord movement and song structure, the circle of 5ths, progressions, scale-wise patterns and more! Bring your favorite tunes to analyze and learn to play 'em in any key. An excellent workshop.

Fred Sokolow   3-5 pm, Sundays, Oct 22 & 29 (2 sessions)   $70

Learn to play slide in open tunings (E, D, A, G) and standard tuning, and in the styles of Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, Duane Allman and all the great acoustic and electric players. Classic slide licks sound great in blues, rock & country music. Even if you've never played slide before, this class will get you off on the right foot.

Fred Sokolow   1-3 pm  Sundays, Oct 22-Nov 5 (3 sessions)   $100

Finally, learn the "secrets of the pros" that help you play lead and rhythm in all keys, all over the fretboard! You'll understand chord progressions and expand your chord vocabulary. Guitar music theory will make sense out of all those strings and frets and chords and scales.

Fred Sokolow   6:30-8 pm  Wednesdays, Oct 25-Nov 15 (4 sessions)   $110

Is mandolin just for bluegrass and Italian songs? No way! It's also heard in rock, country, folk, jazz, and swing. You'll learn songs in all these styles from Fred, as well as how to get around the instrument in several keys, and even how to improvise, so you can (gasp!) play with other people. The mando may be small, but there's a world of music in there, and this is a great way to get started. As a bonus, you're invited to bring in tunes you'd like to play, and Fred will try to include them in the class.

Fred Sokolow   8-9:45 pm  Wednesdays, Oct 25-Nov 15 (4 sessions)   $110

Do you think a flatted fifth is just a bottle of champagne that's lost its bubbles? That a relative minor is a 16-year-old cousin? That whole and half steps describe a dance routine? Make sense of all these mysterious terms in this new and exciting class, and make yourself a better musician on any instrument.

Cheryl Saunders   10:30-11:30 am  Saturdays, Sep 9-30 (4 sessions)   $80

Lap-style Dobro and steel guitar are great in country music, blues, bluegrass, rock and just about any other musical genre (Fred has played both with the Tonight Show Band!). Bring a Dobro, lap steel, or any 6-string guitar with a slide and you'll learn the most popular tunings and how to get around in any key. Lots of licks, chords and solos.

Fred Sokolow   1-3 pm  Sundays, Sep 10 & 17 (2 sessions)   $70

This exciting combination of country, blues and R&B is where rock guitar began, and it's still as fun and fresh as it was in the '50s. Acoustic and electric players will learn all the basics, including licks, scales, chords and picking patterns for solos and backup in the styles of Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Buddy Holly, etc.

Fred Sokolow   3-5 pm  Sundays, Sep 10 & 17 (2 sessions)   $70

You'll be truly gratified with these four 3-hour sessions with world-famous singer-songwriter Peter Case. You'll learn many aspects of songcraft, including how to create more vivid and evocative songs. First, you'll write them, and then you'll get to perform them for discussion with your fellow students. Expect a thoroughly encouraging, definitely friendly, and sometimes humorous environment. A wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the best. For more info, e-mail case_peter@hotmail.com.

Peter Case   2-5 pm  Saturdays, Sep 16-Oct 7 (4 sessions)   $200

Folk, blues, and singer-songwriter approaches to acoustic guitar are covered in this intermediate level course. Emphasis on Carter/Guthrie/Dylan-style flatpicking and John Hurt-style country blues fingerpicking, alternate tunings, plus many other items from Peter's bag of tricks. Mr. Case is, of course, a Grammy-nominated, world-touring musician with 10 solo albums to his credit. Class limited to 10 students. For more info, e-mail case_peter@hotmail.com.

Peter Case   7:30-9:45 pm  Mondays, Sep 18-Oct 9 (4 sessions)   $200

Probably a better title for the class would be "The-Not-Ready-For-The-Parking-Lot Beginning Fiddle Jam." It's designed for those of us who feel intimidated by the hot players at most jam sessions. This is the class for fiddlers who want to learn at a slower pace so that you can be the intimidator later on. All folks and all folk styles are welcome.

Laura Kass   10:30-11:30 am  Saturdays, Sep 16 & 30, Oct 14 & 28 (4 sessions)   $100