Class Type: Tickets | Page 3

Country Blues Guitar: The Basics and Beyond

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS

In this class, we’ll learn simple right-hand picking patterns and open tunings by playing and singing songs like Lead Belly’s Relax Your Mind, The Memphis Sheiks’ Ain’t Nobody’s Business But Mine, and Robert Johnson’s Kindhearted Woman.

Bring your guitar, a capo, any finger picks you use, and a slide if you have one. We will not be using flat picks or tab. This class is suitable for advanced beginners and up. An audio or video recorder is strongly encouraged to support your learning.

Class Schedule

Thursdays: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4

Time: 8:00-9:15 pm ET

Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)

Ages: 18+

Please Note:Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.

Classical to Folk: Multi-Styled Cello Techniques

**THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS**

This class is for cellists who have experience in classical music but want to expand their toolkit of creative expression. We will work on bow techniques, dive into some methods of improvisation, and strum or fingerpick while exploring a collection of different musical styles.

Need an instrument to rent? We suggest visiting Johnson Strings.

This class runs from 6:30-7:45pm and will be held on Wednesdsays, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3

Please note:The class will be held at The Passim School of Music which is located at 26 Church St. Cambridge, MA. Classrooms are located on the third floor and, unfortunately, we do not have an elevator.

Limited to students 18 yrs of age or older; Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. Tickets can be purchased at the door. before the class begins. 3 students are required for this class to meet. If a class is canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.

Celtic Ensemble

THIS IS AN ONLINE CLASS

In this ensemble class, we will learn a shared repertoire of Celtic tunes, creating our own musical community at a distance! Each class, we will break down the melody, ornamentation, and interpretation of favorite Celtic tunes. At the beginning and end of each class, there is always time to jam!

As part of the online experience, students will receive recordings of the tunes, a backing track, and sheet music to help everyone learn at their own pace. Chordal backing videos will also be provided.

Basic skills on your chosen instrument and chord knowledge (for backing instruments) is highly recommended.

Class Schedule

Fridays: Nov. 7, 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12

Time: 8:00–9:00pm ET

Location: Online (via Zoom)

Ages: 18+

Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 3 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.

Bluegrass Ensemble

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS

The Passim Bluegrass Ensemble is a five-week group class that offers a relaxed space to learn new music and gain experience playing with other musicians. This class will focus on bluegrass and bluegrass-adjacent styles of music, studying the elements of melody, harmony, and groove that create the ear-catching sounds we know and love. We will discuss the different roles that instruments in the ensemble can play, and how those roles interact with one another. In addition to learning new music, class members will work on essential jamming techniques such as leading a tune and learning songs on the fly.

Class members should have basic knowledge of chords and be comfortable learning music by ear or with sheet music. All musicians—instrumentalists and vocalists—are welcome!

Class Schedule

Wednesdays: Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3, 10

Time: 8:00–9:15pm ET

Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)

Ages: 18+

Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.

Beginning Harmonica

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS

This class is designed for newcomers to the harmonica, regardless of prior musical knowledge. Our focus will be on practicing fundamental blues and folk techniques, with an overview of the history and theory that goes into them. You’ll be able to wail in no time!By the end of this class, you will be able to…

effectively use your breath, hands, lips, tongue, and throat to produce solid, steady notes and chords from the harmonica
use close listening to repeat melodies/rhythms by ear
read/use harmonica tablature (and just a liiiiiittle bit of music notation)
visualize a “mental map” of the notes on the harmonica, and navigate it in first and second positions (“straight harp” and “cross harp”)
recognize, and improvise over, the 12-bar blues song form

Requirements* A 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C* Your enthusiasm and openness!

Class Schedule

Thursdays: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4

Time: 6:30-7:45pm ET

Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the third floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)

Ages: 18+

Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. Tickets may be available at the door. A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.

Beginning 3-Finger Banjo

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS

Always wanted to play the banjo but don’t know where to start? This class is perfect for complete beginners as well as anyone who wants to review the basics and build a strong foundation. Whether you’ve never picked up the banjo before or need a refresher on fundamental techniques, this course will guide you through essential chords, simple melodies, and classic banjo roll patterns. In a fun and supportive environment, you’ll gain confidence in your playing and walk away with the tools that will take your music to the next level!

Requirements:This class will be best suited for students who have:

No prior musical experience

A 5-string banjo

A willingness to learn and a love for music

Tuesdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18, Dec. 2 Time: 6:30–7:45pm ET

Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)

Ages: 18+

Advanced Bluegrass Ensemble

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS

Join award-winning fiddler Kathleen Parks (of Twisted Pine) for our very first Advanced Bluegrass Ensemble at Passim. This small, carefully balanced group will dive deep into the art of playing bluegrass as part of a cohesive band.

Unlike our general ensemble, this class will have limited slots per instrument—just 1 bass, 1 banjo, at most 2 fiddles, 1 rhythm guitar, 1 lead guitar, 1 mandolin, and 1 lead singer—ensuring every part of the band gets the space it needs to shine. Before registering, please check this SignUpGenius link to make sure your instrument slot is still open. Once you have signed up on the Passim site, be sure you reserve your instrument spot via the SignUpGenius link.

Over the course of five weeks, you’ll:

Learn and arrange bluegrass repertoire with a focus on advanced harmony, groove, and improvisation.

Sharpen your skills in leading songs, backing up other players, and locking in with the rhythm section.

Gain real-world experience “picking and grinning” in a high-level, small-ensemble setting.

Who should join:This class is designed for experienced bluegrass players ready to work at an advanced ensemble level. Students should be comfortable learning by ear, improvising, and holding their own in a jam.

Enrollment now requires either a recommendation from one of our Bluegrass Ensemble instructors or prior approval from our School of Music Manager, Rachel Sumner (rachel@passim.org). If you haven’t participated in our regular Bluegrass Ensemble before, please get in touch before registering to confirm placement.

Class Schedule

Tuesdays: Nov. 4, 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9

Time: 6:30-7:45 pm ET

Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)

Ages: 18+

A Song That Haunts

Why do certain songs resonate and nestle themselves in your ear? In this class — part investigation, part workshop — we will explore those haunting songs by dissecting a handful of the best. We’ll get to the core of their inner workings and see how we can apply those concepts into our own writing. A Song That Haunts will be a focused study in three parts: lyrics, harmony, and structure and will give students opportunity to discuss and workshop their own songs.

This class will be held from 8:00-9:15pm on Mondays: Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26 Dec. 3, 10.

Please note: The Passim School of Music is located at 26 Church St. Cambridge, MA. Classrooms are located on the third floor and, unfortunately, we do not have an elevator.