The Way of the Song

Guitar

In a relaxed and supportive environment, learn the basics of playing the guitar. Through an original curriculum of Picking Patterns, Strumming Patterns and Chord Progressions, we will expand your music vocabulary to the point of playing and singing songs by your favorite artists. We will also learn the basics of reading music, tablature and playing notes.

Songwriting

What is the structure of a song? What makes a song memorable? From conception to performance, we’ll study the Song. We’ll break songs into their parts, then rebuild them as we would a puzzle. We’ll create chord progressions with our instruments. From this base, we’ll create a melody and compose lyrics. Through a collaborative process, students will compose and perform original songs. This process will showcase the highlights – and pitfalls – of songwriting, serving as a basis to better understand the craft.

Experience

For over fifteen years, Db Leonard has taught a wide range of students how to find their voice through an original method incorporating the guitar and voice. He has been a faculty member at the 92nd Street Y School of Music in Manhattan, Barnard College, Center for Creative Education in Kingston, the Castle School in Cambridge and the New England School for Little Wanderers, and teaches private lessons in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley.