It was long rumored that Duane Boyer had a guitar in his hands when he was born, but his mother swore that she knew for a fact that wasn’t really true. However, as soon as he could crawl, at every available opportunity, he would head toward an old guitar sitting in the corner. Duane taught himself to play in junior high, and he and several of his classmates formed a folk group with two guitars and bass. He started playing other instruments in high school, and began playing banjo in college. He and several college classmates formed a bluegrass band, which was featured for several years in a touring musical group sponsored by what was then known as Eastern Oregon College of Education. After graduating with a degree in music education, he was hired to teach banjo and guitar classes at Eastern Oregon University, and has been there since, teaching over four thousand students to play, He has also taught numerous workshops at festivals, summer camps, and other venues throughout the northwest, has been teaching beginning guitar classes at the Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp since 2013, and was also often involved as a performer at those events.
Guitar Boot Camp, beginner (minimum age 10 years)
This class is designed for the absolute beginner, or someone who knows just a few chords, but is not proficient with them. During the week, we will learn to play 14 basic chords, which will allow us to play in seven different keys. (Each key is made up of three basic chords, but some chords are found in more than one key.) Primary emphasis using proven techniques of physical economy and efficiency is to master the chords and chord changes as quickly as possible, while maintaining an even rhythm. As the chording hand develops, then right-hand strumming and picking patterns will be covered and incorporated with simple song accompaniments.
Please bring: Guitar (preferably with a protective case or bag), capo, and a music stand if you have one, but it is not a necessity. Our goal is to learn all the basic chords and keys the first three days of camp, and then to incorporate them into song accompaniments to be used with students in the other instrument sections, and to become involved playing with other groups and instruments. The long-term goal is to give each student a solid musical foundation to build on, so that playing the guitar becomes a life-long endeavor.
Please note: this class is a wonderful opportunity for friends and relations who have traveled with you to WFTC and are otherwise at loose ends, just hanging around. They can join this beginning guitar class and learn to play! They too can experience the pleasure that playing music together provides.
