Have you seen artists using partial or multiple capos and wondered "What on earth are they doing!?" Chances are you've been stricken by capo envy. This workshop with Justin Roth will demonstrate the simple keys to understanding why and how partial capos can enhance your guitar sound and elaborate your sonic palate without complicating your guitar parts. It's easier than it looks! Most times, using partial capos actually make your songs easier to play, but they will sound like you're playing richer and more compelling chords. You will learn a simple way to use single or multiple capos to enhance your guitar sound and apply it to songs you've already written or songs to come using chords you already know in standard tuning. Kyser "Drop-D" (5 string) and "Shortcut" (3 string) capos will be provided for use during the workshop and are available for purchase from Justin. Some guitar experience is necessary, but this workshop is open to beginners as well as seasoned players. Come find out just how easy it is and take a leap forward with your sound. Justin is Kyser Capo sponsored artist and instructor.

Do you want to explore altered tunings, but don't know where to start? This workshop with Justin Roth will introduce reasons why and ways to understand, compose in, convert songs to, and switch between different altered tunings to help you find a new approach and sound for your songs. Don't worry about the music theory part. We will learn a "theory-lite" way of understanding and relating altered tunings to songs you've already written or songs to come. Using altered tunings doesn't have to be a scary thing. Handouts will be provided to get you started with multiple chord positions in DADGAD and CGDGBD, as well as tuning tips to help you get in and out of different tunings quickly. Come find the richness and new sound your guitar has to offer!

* This workshop can be split into two separate workshops focussing on each tuning individually and/or adding additional tunings to go more in depth with each one.

Whether you've never fingerpicked before, or feel you've plateaued in your guitar playing, this interactive workshop with Justin Roth will teach you why and how to incorporate fingerpicking into your box of tools. We will cover multiple fingerpicking patterns and other important basic techniques to help you to either begin, or to improve, your fingerpicking and gain finger independence, control and clarity. This workshop is open to all levels, beginner-advanced.

Fueled by your questions, this workshop with Justin Roth will talk about the pros and cons of different approaches to consider when preparing to record. Before you run to the studio, there's a less glamorous, but far more important step to take before you begin --- Pre-production. You've got your songs, but are you prepared to really start recording? You wouldn't run a marathon "off the couch" without preparation and training, would you? So, let's not record an album "off the couch" either. Whether you're new to recording or a seasoned pro, pre-production serves an important role in preparing for a successful recording experience. Mapping out your plan, instrumentation ideas, album goals, expectations, and most importantly, making sure they realistically align with your budget, are all helpful decisions to be made before you enter the studio. We'll also talk about the roles of engineer vs. producer, budgeting and fan funding, self-recording vs. a "real" studio, full album or EP, digital release or CD...the list goes on and on. Bring a notepad and your questions and let's get down to it. This is a crucial step to help turn your dream of recording into a fully realized final product and it can save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run as well.

This interactive workshop with Justin Roth will demonstrate techniques to add color and character to your guitar parts to make them more compelling and dynamic. Your guitar parts do not need to be complicated in order to be interesting. However, your guitar can be more than just a harmonic backdrop for your songs; it can have a voice, and authority, all its own! We'll look at right-hand techniques to add melodic lines to your chord changes, percussive techniques and tone/timbre variations to create contrast and make your songs come alive. By working within your individual level of guitar playing and expanding upon what you're already doing, we'll explore ways to complement your songs, without complicating them. Don't tell anyone I said this, but you can even do it without partial capos or altered tunings! All levels are welcome in the class because using these techniques effectively starts with learning how to listen for what's missing, or what's getting in the way.

I have many possible approaches to doing a workshop on songwriting, from the broad to the detailed. Let’s talk about your needs and find the focus together.

So much goes into creating your sound and yet, so much can be done with so little. We’ll talk about the whys and why nots, the hows and how nots, how to make the most out of a limited budget and how to keep from diving in too deep, too soon, and how to make it all work practically with your gig/lifestyle. We’ll talk about everything from guitars, pickups, preamps, speakers, mixers, effects pedals, signal routing, guitar strings, etc.