(Scroll down to register for classes)
Refer to the class DESCRIPTIONS page for detailed information on each class and the INSTRUCTORS page for bio’s on the instructors.
+++ TBRAS Discount/Promo Code +++
Members need to add a discount at checkout to get the $10 discount off the $109 non-members price. All current members should have received an email with the TBRAS DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE, and new members should have received it in their welcome letter. It is the same code used for online ticket sales. If you have forgotten it, were never sent it, or if you recently became a member, please email us here and we will email you back with the code. Not yet a member? Click here.
Cost: Cost for the entire semester is:
$99 for Black Rose members (member discount code entered at checkout - see detailed instructions below)
$109 for non-members
Payment is due at time of registration to reserve your spot.
Consider Becoming A Member! You'll save $10 off each class you take if you're a Black Rose member. Our memberships start at only $25 a year, so do the math. For just $15 more than the non-member cost of a class, you save on both the class and $7 off concert admissions throughout the year. AND, you'll save even more throughout the year with a Family membership. Click here to become a member before you register and $AVE!
How to Register:
Online: The easiest way to register is online using your credit card by clicking one of the “Add to Cart” buttons below:
First, select the quantity of people you are registering (you may register for others as noted below and only check out once, provided you all have the same membership status).
Next, select “ADD TO CART” and complete the “Class Sign-up” pop-up - if you are signing up for yourself only, you need not fill in your name, email, and phone as those will be entered later when you check out. Those fields are for registering others.
If you are registering for others, add their name(s) and email(s) in the “Class Sign-up” pop-up. If you are registering for yourself and someone else with the same membership status, increase the “Quantity” to 2 before adding to cart (if the others have a different membership status, you will have to register and check out twice).
When you are all done selecting your classs(es), click the small “Cart” icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen (lower left on a mobile device) to check out and pay. You will see a list of everything in your cart. If this looks good, click the “CHECKOUT” button.
On the Checkout page you will see a place to enter a “gift or discount code.” All members should have received an email with the TBRAS DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE - it is the same one used for online concert tickets. Enter that code here and you will get $10 taken off the price. Forgot the code? Email us here and we will email you back with the code.
Complete the checkout process by selecting your payment type and paying. Once you pay, you order is complete and there is no turning back (but you can always email us if you did this in error and we will right the wrong).
You should receive an email within several minutes confirming your purchase.
You can also register directly on the class DESCRIPTIONS page.
By mail: To register by snail mail, send your check to The Black Rose Acoustic Society Classes, PO Box 50165, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 with a note indicating the class(es) you want to take and your membership status. Be sure to include your name, an email address, and a phone number where you can be reached.
In person: You can register in person with cash, check, or credit card at our Friday concerts.
You will be contacted by the instructor about a week before class begins reminding you of the class and with any class details not covered here.
Commitment
Instructors make the decision on whether to hold a class or not based on the number of registrations received. TBRAS reserves the right to cancel a course in case of insufficient enrollment, which in general is fewer than 3.
Waiting Lists
Our classes are very popular, and they oftentimes fill up. If a class is full, it’s because we limit class size to typically 10 students to give you the most value for your money. If the classes you want are sold out, you still may be able to get in, as we sometimes have cancellations, or may offer a second class on another date and time. You can get on our waiting list for any class by emailing us with your details. We’ll be glad to contact you if space opens up.
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Fall 2026 Classes
Click on any of the class titles or icons below for class descriptions or visit the class DESCRIPTIONS page for details on each class. You may also register there (members, don’t forget to enter your TBRAS DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE for your $10 discount).
Instructor: Michael Watry
Time: Saturdays 3:00 - 4:30 pm beginning Oct. 3rd and ending Oct. 24th (1.5 hours a week for 4 weeks)
Location: The downtown Meeker Music store, 624 N. Tejon St. Enter through front door and head up the staircase on the left. Parking on Tejon is metered, but many side streets are not.
Description: Would you like to improve your ability to hear music, especially for the purpose of quickly mastering a new song in a jam setting? In this course we will cover practical tips for better hearing a song, then playing it in a jam. Class is open to most levels of musicians - you must be able to play a handful of chords in good time. Particular subjects covered include:
Hearing chord changes, recognizing the current chord, and predicting the likely next chord
Hearing and recognizing the melody notes using the current chord to predict the likely notes in the melody
Picking out harmony lines based on the melody and chords
We'll work through interesting sample songs where we'll work on hearing the phrasing of the melody, the chordchanges, any special rhythm patterns, and of course, the melody for singing or for soloing. We'll also have homework where you pick songs to study and bring back to class what you have learned.
Prequequsites: Basic ability on your instrument(s) and reasonable sense of timing
What to Bring: Your instrument(s)
Instructor: Malcolm McKinley
Time: Tuesdays 7:15-8:15 pm beginning Oct. 6th
Location: The downtown Meeker Music store, 624 N. Tejon St. Park in back of store off the alley in the Meeker lot and wait for the 6:00 class to let out at 7:00 and enter as others are leaving before the door closes and locks. If arriving after 7:00 and the door is shut, please ring the doorbell - if you ring it before 7:00 you will disturb the previous class.
Description: This class will focus on advanced fingerstyle techniques, musical expression, finger placement, muting, harmonics, and alternative tunings.
Areas Covered:
Developing a more personal and expressive playing style
Identifying and changing inefficient playing habits
Using the entire soundboard through intentional finger placement and muting
Introduction to alternate tunings, including DADGAD and Open G
Natural, artificial, and slapped harmonics
Two-string pull-offs and left-hand techniques
Left-hand and right-hand independence
Creative percussive and rhythmic techniques
Finding musical inspiration and developing your own voice
By the end of the course, students should have a broader technical vocabulary and a deeper understanding of how to use the guitar as a complete musical instrument, rather than relying solely on traditional chord shapes and patterns.
Prerequisites: Beginning Fingerstyle Guitar or equivalent
What to Bring: Your own instrument, music stand, and tuner
Instructor: Ray De Mers
Time: Wednesday 7:15-8:15 pm beginning Oct. 7th
Location: The downtown Meeker Music store, 624 N. Tejon St. Park in back of store off the alley in the Meeker lot (not the loading dock) and wait for the 6:00 class to let out at 7:00 and enter as others are leaving before the door closes and locks. If arriving after 7:00 and the door is shut, please ring the doorbell - if you ring it before 7:00 you will disturb the previous class.
Description: This class is a continuation of last year’s Beginning Blues Guitar Soloing class, but any intermediate player is welcome. We will learn even more skills needed to create your own phrases over a basic blues chord progression by applying the major and minor pentatonic scales, while rhythmically and musically incorporating techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and bends. We’ll also begin to get away from the first position boxes and start playing more up the neck. If you’ve been wanting to get away from tab and really want learn how to improvise, then this is the course for you.
Prerequisites: Beginning Blues Guitar Soloing or equivalent
What to Bring: Your own instrument, music stand, and tuner
Instructor: Doug Kladder and Mark Rounsley
Time: Tuesdays 6:00-7:00 pm beginning Oct. 6th
Location: The downtown Meeker Music store, 624 N. Tejon St. Park in back of store off the alley in the Meeker lot (not the loading dock) and ring the back doorbell as the store closes at 6:00 and you will not be able to enter the front part of the store from the back classroom when class lets out.
Description: Have you ever wanted to join a campfire sing-along, play along with a guitarist, or participate in an acoustic jam session? Or perhaps you play a stringed instrument but aren’t comfortable playing breaks yet. Playing harmonica can fill that gap and add a new dimension to a jam and you will be a unique voice in a sea of stringed instruments.
In addition to teaching harmonica technique, this course emphasizes making music with others. You will learn to play familiar melodies, recognize chord changes, accompany singers, and develop the confidence to play in informal jam sessions.
Designed for beginners, each class combines hands-on instruction, music accompaniment, and group playing in a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere. Every class ends with students playing music together.
The course is team-taught by two local harmonica players with different approaches. In the first 3 classes, Doug will focus on first-position playing - melodies, accompaniment, and fills commonly used in folk, country, bluegrass, and gospel music. Blues will be emphasized in last 3 classes, where Mark will introduce cross-harp playing in second position, exploring blues rhythms, riffs, and the fundamentals of improvisation.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the skills and confidence to pick up your harmonica and join friends in making music.
Prerequisites: None
What to Bring: Two 10-hole diatonic harmonicas in the keys of C and G - Hohner Special 20’s are available at Meeker at a discount, but any harmonica brand will do.
Instructor: Ray DeMers
Time: Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm beginning Oct. 7th
Location: The downtown Meeker Music store, 624 N. Tejon St. Park in back of store off the alley in the Meeker lot (not the loading dock) and ring the back doorbell as the store closes at 6:00 and you will not be able to enter the front part of the store from the back classroom when class lets out.
Description:This class is targeted at the beginning banjo student. This course will cover basic banjo rolls, chords, and a variety of different bluegrass songs, while learning to play melody and back up chords.
Prerequisites: No prior music experience necessary. Students should bring their own instruments and music stands.
What to Bring: Your own instrument, thumb and finger picks, music stand, and tuner