Rock 101 with Joe Deninzon

Rock. Blues. Pop. Funk. Improvising. It’s not as scary as you think. String Master Joe Deninzon, “the Jimi Hendrix of the Violin”, shows you how!

About this Series

In this shared private lesson series, Joe Deninzon will teach you everything you need to be a successful string player in a rock, funk, or pop band! Your new bag of tricks will include pentatonic and blues improvisation, songwriting, chopping, power chords, creating arrangements and charting out songs, and developing your stage presence. Both acoustic and electric violinists, violists, and cellists are welcome! 

Series Details

This series consists of three shared private lessons with other musicians.  There will be a maximum of 5 musicians in a shared private lesson. The series is designed for violinists, violists and cellists at the intermediate level or above. Bring your acoustic or electric instrument.

Prerequisites for Attendees

• Intermediate to advanced training/fluency in violin, viola, or cello. 
• Bring your instruments, whether traditional acoustic or electric.

Basic Curriculum

Lesson #1: Pentatonics, Power Chords, and Blues Scales (Wed. Sept 29th)

We’ll jam through classics by Deep Purple, The Ramones, Green Day, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Cream, and Led Zeppelin and talk about how these songs are constructed. We’ll also do a crash course on chopping technique.

Lesson #2: Intro to Rock Improv and Songwriting (Tues. Oct 5th)

Improv workshop using pentatonic, blues, and major/minor scales. Creating

unforgettable riffs and writing a song using combinations of pentatonics and power chords.

Lesson #3: Finding Your Place as a String Player in a Band (Wed. Oct 13th)

Working with a singer. When to play/not to play. Common double stop

voicings and voice-leading techniques. Creating a “roadmap” for a song.

How to develop your string part and build an arrangement. Tips on stage presence.

How to Prepare for your Session

Bring your instruments, whether traditional acoustic or electric.

Sheet music and charts will be provided at your lesson.

Connection details to the private lesson series will be provided no later than 24 hours before the start of the first lesson or upon registration.

Learn more about Joe Deninzon on String Masters.