Summer Song Camp

Build your repertoire and develop your technique by learning great songs in this guitar workshop with Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers——founding editor of Acoustic Guitar magazine and author of Beyond Strumming and many other books and videos for musicians.

Summer Song Camp 2024

May 28 to June 25, Tuesday evenings

  • 5:30–6:30 pm ET in person (near Syracuse, New York)

  • 8–9 pm ET online

Registration costs $115 for five weekly sessions, with complete charts/tab and access to recordings of the camp sessions (archived for future reference). Active Patreon members receive a registration discount (see Patreon for details).

Many of the techniques we’ll use are taught in the books Dynamic Guitar and Beyond Strumming. Order the books individually or as a discounted bundle along with your camp registration and get free shipping (within the U.S. only).

About the camp

There’s no better—and more fun—way to improve as a guitarist than learning great songs.

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At Summer Song Camp, you’ll dig into one new song each week. Not only will you learn how to play the song, but we’ll explore different arranging options (chord voicings, picking styles, capo positions, tunings) and also talk about the composition (chord progression, form, melody).

For each song, we’ll start with a simple, accessible arrangement and progress into ways to add depth and variety to the sound.

Lyric/chord charts and tab are provided for each song, and recordings of the online sessions are available afterward for review or in case you aren’t able to attend live.

The lessons are designed for advanced beginners (familiar with basic open chords, able to accompany songs) and intermediates on up. Pick or fingerstyle players are welcome.

The camp meets for five weekly sessions both in person (near Syracuse, New York, outdoors when possible) and online, and anyone registered can attend either way.

As for the song selections…I have an extensive repertoire of arrangements from the folk, Americana, and rock worlds. See below for a list of some possible songs. I want to know what you want to learn, so when you register, I’ll ask for your votes and suggestions.

Questions? Email me.

About the teacher

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers has combined his twin passions for words and music into a multifaceted career as a musician, author, and teacher. He is a grand prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the founding editor of Acoustic Guitar magazine, and author of The Complete Singer-Songwriter and Beyond Strumming. He has been a staff instructor at Ashokan Acoustic Guitar Camp and Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters, and for over a decade he has taught courses on songwriting and creative writing at Syracuse University. 

“Jeff’s love of music and creating single-guitar arrangements of songs comes through very clearly, and he explains things simply and concisely so anyone can follow along.”

—David Hodge, Guitar Noise (more)

Song selections

Here are some songs we might cover this year. I’ll make final selections based on votes from campers. Listen to the 2024 songs on the camp playlist.

I’m open to other suggestions too—add them when you register.

  • Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (Paul Simon)

  • Tear My Stillhouse Down (Gillian Welch, dropped D)

  • River (Joni Mitchell, DADGAD)

  • I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob Dylan)

  • Sunny Afternoon (Kinks)

  • Black Water (Doobie Brothers, double dropped D)

  • Nowhere Man (Beatles, DADGAD)

  • Kodachrome (Paul Simon)

  • Dream a Little Dream of Me (Mamas and Papas)

  • I Know You Rider (Grateful Dead, dropped D)

  • At Seventeen (Janis Ian)

  • Just Like That (Bonnie Raitt, dropped D)

  • Lady Madonna (Beatles, dropped D)

  • Heart's Content (Brandi Carlile)

  • Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young, double dropped D)

  • Country Road (James Taylor, dropped D)

 Sample lessons

How online sessions work

  • When you register, you’ll receive a link for attending the online meetings through Zoom video conferencing. (See these important tips about sharing music on Zoom.)

  • Have your guitar and capo and be ready to play! During the sessions, you’ll have opportunities to ask questions.

  • A recording of each session is available afterward.

  • All course materials and links are saved on a camp home page for easy reference. The home page is archived so you can continue to access everything after the camp is over.

  • You’ll also have access to a private Facebook group, the Words and Music Lounge, for continuing the conversation.