Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop hosted by Bear Whitmer and the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society

Learning different styles of guitar is an enriching experience for guitar players of all skill levels. The art of fingerstyle guitar is not limited to just the pros, anybody that wants to can learn! For this month’s fingerstyle workshop, we will be diving into an immortal Great Lakes maritime ballad: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. We will begin the workshop covering the basics of the song, then progressing to an advanced level. At the end, we will all be able to play the song at different levels simultaneously.

Beginners: We will start with the basic chord progression while getting comfortable with a 6/8 time signature.

Intermediate: Building off of the basic chord progression, we will learn the basic fingerstyle melody along with the beginnings of a full fingerstyle arrangement.

Advanced: We will build up to a full fingerstyle arrangement with bass, harmony, melody, bends, slides, vibrato, and more.

The workshop will conclude with a group play-along in which players at all levels can comfortably join. For anybody with questions, a follow-up Zoom session will be held one week later, offering a review and an opportunity to address any questions. Don’t miss this chance to build up fingerstyle guitar skills and jam with other learning guitarists!

Prerequisites (preferred):

Chord Shapes: Asus2, D, Em, G (plus G6, G6/A, D/A, for those looking to play exactly what is written)

Capo (for sale at Pursell Lutherie, but there will be some to borrow if you just need it for the workshop)

Cost: $10 Donation to the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society

Location: Pursell Lutherie - 23430 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI 48220