Do you have imaginative ideas to share that might be said in a song? Would you like to make your personal stories sing? Through inspiring writing prompts, inventive exercises, and enjoyable writing 'games', Martin Swinger engages participants in the beginning steps of turning original ideas into songs. In a safe and positive community, you'll have fun expressing ideas while building songwriting skills. Anyone can learn and succeed at their own pace and level. Classes will be held on Zoom, so computer access is a must. Be willing to write in-the-moment and share ideas. Be prepared with a notebook and your favorite pen. There is a small group of participants but new-comers are welcome! 

Limit: 10 students. 

Instructor: Martin Swinger, Songwriting, performance and vocal coach

Every other Thursday, beginning January 21, 2021

Jan 21, Feb 4 & 18, Mar 4 & 18, Apr 1 & 15, 2021

Time: 7-8:30 pm

Location: Zoom Live

Registration: $75

"Martin Swinger is one of those rare singer-songwriters who excels at everything: singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, and being so present with his humor, tenderness, and wild mind that his performances are also deep conversations, soul to soul and heart to heart, about the quirks, surprises, and love that brings us most alive. His songs, ranging from the little plastic parts that hold the world together, to what enlightenment comes from Buddha and Betty Boop falling in love, are whimsically and wisely original and enduring."

 -Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus

 Are you an experienced songwriter wishing to upgrade your skills? Do your songs ‘work’ but not ‘inspire’? Do you experience writer’s block or seem to keep writing the same song over and over?

Martin Swinger is an award-winning songwriter and talented instructor who can help you break old patterns, make your songs stand out, and grab listeners in exciting ways. Through clever writing prompts, creative language exercises, guided group discussion, and supportive peer critique Martin inspires students to engage listeners and create songs with purpose and power.

In this 7-week course, you’ll learn how to inspire listeners with imaginative and evocative lyrics, create melodies that are fresh and memorable, develop songs that move bodies and hearts and originate songs that are intriguingly intricate or simply profound. This class will help you elevate songs from a passive ‘listening’ experience into eloquent investments in the exchange of ideas and values with your listeners through the power of songs.

You don’t have to have the ability to sing ‘well’, play an instrument, understand music theory, or transcribe music to gain insight and improvement from this class. This class will help songwriters with experience become songwriters with skill. 

Limit: 10 students. 

Instructor: Martin Swinger, Songwriting, performance and vocal coach

Every other Thursday, beginning January 28, 2021

Jan 28, Feb 11 & 25, Mar 11 & 25, Apr 8 & 22, 2021

Time: 7-8:30 pm

Location: Zoom Live

Registration: $75

"Martin Swinger is one of those rare singer-songwriters who excels at everything: singing, songwriting, guitar-playing, and being so present with his humor, tenderness, and wild mind that his performances are also deep conversations, soul to soul and heart to heart, about the quirks, surprises, and love that brings us most alive. His songs, ranging from the little plastic parts that hold the world together, to what enlightenment comes from Buddha and Betty Boop falling in love, are whimsically and wisely original and enduring."

 -Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus

The magical ukulele is capturing hearts and minds in Maine and around the world! Why not yours? Come join our adult beginners’ series and share in the fun of learning to play. The ukulele is versatile and a blast to play (with a bit of regular practice, of course). On it you can knock out folk music, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, tunes grandma knows -- even classical music. In Part 1 of the course, Duncan Perry, who has taught more than 500 students of all ages, will introduce you to essential chords and strumming techniques using familiar songs -- truly a fun way to learn ukulele. Oh, and there are lots of laughs along the way. And here’s a bonus! You do not need to know how to read music! However, you must have a playable soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele (no baritones please) and an electronic tuner or a tuner app on your cell phone or tablet. Ukes are affordable and compact and you can take them most anywhere. And when folks hear you play this happy instrument, well, they just have to smile!  So grab a uke and get ready for a low-stress, fun-filled musical adventure, then spread the joy!

About your Instructor:

Duncan is an experienced multi-instrumentalist who has been performing and teaching folks how play the ukulele for the last 13 years. Having served as a volunteer music therapist in medical and hospice settings, he quickly came to understand that music is medicine and that learning to play an instrument not only sharpens the brain but helps reduce stress. It also brings joy to the ukulele player and to her or his audience. Duncan has taught in a variety of Maine communities and has not let the COVID-19 epidemic stop him. He simply moved from teaching in person to an online format last June.

UKULELE FOR BEGINNERS, PART 2

The ukulele adventure continues in Ukulele for Beginners, Part 2! Now it’s time to notch up your ukulele playing skills. Of course, you’ll acquire still more chords and learn more complex strumming techniques. You’ll also add finger picking techniques to your toolbox and explore how to find the “right” strumming or picking pattern for the songs you want to play. Along the way there will be familiar music and more laughs, as well as learning special skills like discovering melody notes, transposing keys, and ornamenting your playing in ways that will make your ukulele journey increasingly interesting and more exciting. So, tune up, and let’s uke onward! This course is designed for those who completed Ukulele for Beginners, Part 1 or who possess equivalent skills.

About your Instructor:

Duncan is an experienced multi-instrumentalist who has been performing and teaching folks how play the ukulele for the last 13 years. Having served as a volunteer music therapist in medical and hospice settings, he quickly came to understand that music is medicine and that learning to play an instrument not only sharpens the brain but helps reduce stress. It also brings joy to the ukulele player and to her or his audience. Duncan has taught in a variety of Maine communities and has not let the COVID-19 epidemic stop him. He simply moved from teaching in person to an online format last June.