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Tag: lessons

  • NEW CLASS! Music Crew plays The 90s UNPLUGGED

    NEW CLASS! Music Crew plays The 90s UNPLUGGED

    Journey back to the era of flannel, grunge, and iconic acoustic performances in this unique music class for adults! “MTV Unplugged: The Acoustic ’90s” offers a deep dive into the legendary live sessions that epitomized the decade.

      Whether you’re an experienced musician or just picking up an instrument, this class provides a fun and engaging environment to learn and play some of the most beloved songs from the 1990s.

    The Music Crew Unplugged classes run on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 for eight weeks, beginning July 9.

    We’ll meet at the Saavedra Filing Station, 225 Saavedra RD SW.


    Register in the Knowing Trees Store

    There is more information at the Music Crew: The 90s Unplugged FAQ.

    And, please write to Jason at jason@knowingtrees.com with any questions and/or concerns. He’s very happy to help!

  • NEW CLASS! Grateful Dead Head Ensemble at FUSION

    NEW CLASS! Grateful Dead Head Ensemble at FUSION

    Get on the bus this summer as you, your intrepid teacher Jason McInnes, and your fellow Deadheads gather for this eight-week adult education music class dedicated to exploring and performing the music of the Grateful Dead.

    Designed by considering the needs of beginning, intermediate and advanced musicians, this course offers a deep dive into the band’s rich catalog, from beloved classics like “Truckin’” and “Friend of the Devil” to deeper cuts and extended jams.

    The class includes hands-on instruction, group rehearsals, and opportunities to jam in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Whether you’re a guitarist, bassist, vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, or other instrumentalist, you’ll gain new insight into the Dead’s music through playing it among a generous, encouraging community.

    The class will culminate with a gig during The Days Between; the week of celebration and commemoration between the anniversaries of Jerry Garcia’s birth (Aug.1) and death (Aug. 9). Gig details TBA.


    Register at FUSION!


    Grateful Dead Head Ensemble FAQ

  • Listen to Guitar Crew Play Faded Love

    Listen to Guitar Crew Play Faded Love

    Last night wrapped up the Late Winter 2025 session of Guitar Crew. The Crew was made up of five guitar players with experiences ranging from less than a year to many years. 

    We finished by recording our own arrangement of Bob Wills’ Faded Love. This is a recording of the five members of this sessions’ Crew. I’m accompanying on percussion.

    We covered many skills and concepts this session. Some of those topics, which you can hear in this arrangement, were:

    • Basic chords changes
    • Learning songs by ear
    • The hows and whys of playing songs in different keys
    • Knowing our roots and 5ths of each chord and using that to play alternating bass strums 
    • Working with the major scale and using that to create bass walks in between chord changes
    • Singing and playing at the same time.
    • Playing the chord changes in different locations on the guitar, either with “mini shapes” or using a capo.
    • Ensemble playing (play strong and also make room for the other musicians)
    • Playing a melody and improvising over chord changes

    Here’s Guitar Crew with

    Faded Love


    White board with the written arrangement of the song.
    In class, we work together to make the arrangements of the songs we play. These are the notes from our arrangement of Faded Love.

    I think it sounds so good! Congratulations, Guitar Crew!

    The Early Spring session of Guitar Crew begins in mid-March. We’d love to have you be part of the Crew! Send me a note if you have anyquestions.

  • Guest Post on Banjo After Dark

    Guest Post on Banjo After Dark

    Screenshot of the accompanying video

    I was quite honored when, last summer, Jonas Friddle of Banjo After Dark, asked me to make a guest video.

    The topic  I choose was one we regularly work on in Guitar Crew; knowing which songs are appropriate to bring to the jam.

    In this video I share my thoughts on, why it’s fun to bring a song to lead at an open jam, the types of songs to lead, and a few pointers to smooth the bumpy road that that beginning song leaders alway encounter.

    Do you have any advice to share, or an interesting story from a time when you lead a song, or when you heard someone else lead a song? We’d love to hear it!

    p.s. I highly recommend joining Jonas’ Banjo After Dark Patreon page. It’s free to join (although tossing a few bucks his way is always helpful) and I think you’ll find some fantastic resources.


    Screenshot of the Banjo After Dark Page, featuring Jason's video
    Jason McInnes Teaches How To Choose A Jam Song on Banjo After Dark.
  • Little Birdie with Jason and Frank Hamilton

    Little Birdie with Jason and Frank Hamilton


    Jason McInnes and Frank Hamilton outside playing banjos.

    Frank and Jason Play Little Birdie

    In the previous post I wrote a about recording recording Little Birdie with puja and maria.  That got me thinking about Frank Hamilton who taught me that song when I went to visit him in 2010.

    Here’s a recording of Little Birdie as we sang it that day.

    I talked with Frank the other day and he sounds fantastic.  His enthusiasm and positivity rang through my earbuds just like always.  It had been a long time since we talked and I was very glad to hear his voice.

  • Gift Packages of Lessons are Available this Holiday Season!

    Gift Packages of Lessons are Available this Holiday Season!

    Help a loved one (and/or yourself) start 2023 off with some music!

    • Guitar, Harmonica, and ‘Ukulele
    • Music Theory and Musicianship
    • Songwriting and Composing

    Contact Jason at 773-369-8268 or jason@knowingtrees to discuss some options. He can work with your budget and schedule!