Monthly Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop

Join us for a special morning workshop at Pursell Lutherie hosted in partnership with the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society. With a 10:00a.m. start time, you can be sure that coffee and snacks will be available!

Discover the timeless charm of a Detroit/Cape Breton/Scottish tune: The Sweetness of Mary, a beloved strathspey often mistakenly thought to be from Scotland, but composed by Detroit traditional pianist Joan MacDonald Boes. Born in Cape Breton and steeped in Scottish musical tradition, Joan penned this gem that quietly captivated traditional music sessions across the USA, Canada, and Scotland. A tune so enchanting it found its way into the hearts of fiddlers and musicians worldwide without her ever knowing it. Its lyrical melody stays with you long after the last note. Join us as we explore the beauty of this enduring melody and its bouncy strathspey rhythm (with a Scottish snap), unlocking the techniques to bring out the singing quality that makes this tune truly special. The session will be divided into three segments catering to different experience levels:

Beginners: We'll start with the basic chord progression & rhythm pattern

Intermediate: We'll learn the basic fingerstyle melody

Advanced: We'll add in accompaniment & ornamentation

We'll conclude with a group play-along where every level can comfortably join in. For those seeking additional support, 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 enhance your fingerstyle guitar skills, work toward mastering this memorable melody, unlock its ornamentation options, and connect with other fingerstylists!

Prerequisites: You should know and be relatively comfortable switching between the DADGAD chord shapes: G, C, D, Em. We will be use a capo (available to purchase at Pursell & I will bring a few extra).

Cost: $10 Donation to the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society