I teach French Café Songs, Swing Guitar, and Bluegrass Jam online or in person. Scroll down to see the descriptions below or the FAQ at the bottom of the page.
(in case you're skeptical: yes online classes work fine: I, as well as many other teachers, have done that for a while. Different possibilities and mechanics than in person, but hey, these are special circumstances! And added bonus: if you're shy, nobody will hear you, other than your roommates...)
This class has the dual focus of:
• Repertoire:
◦ Learn the “essential” swing tunes
◦ We’ll play 2 songs per class, maybe more depending on how it goes
◦ How to recognize the swing patterns so you are not tethered to the chart
◦ How to read a chart, simplify complex charts, or add passing chords and notes
• Ensemble playing:
◦ Focus on how to play together: rhythm, arrangement, start/stop/solos, fills, dynamics, supporting soloists and singers, comping and fills, etc.
◦ How to play in jams where there are too many of 1 instrument (like you know, guitars...)
◦ Those applies to jams as well as non-professional bands
Click here for more details
How this works:
• It takes place at my house in Oakland: Fruitvale and McArthur
◦ Plenty of free street parking
• It is every Tuesday afternoon and evening, one and a half hour, for 6 weeks
◦ There is one session 2-3:30pm. Other slots are: 12noon-1:30pm, 4pm-5:30pm and 8-9:30pm. Let me know which one you're interested in
◦ We can always add another day/time if more people are interested
◦ If there is overwhelming demand for another time /day I’m flexible, email me with your preferences
• The enrollment will be limited to 6 people. Ideally 4 people minimum to make it work
• The class is open to all instruments - not especially focused on guitar
• I will be providing chord charts for all the songs and/or use the iRealPro ones.
• We will be talking about how instruments “play” together, but it is not an instrument teaching class
• I have a bass here
• Prerequisites and expected proficiency
◦ Know how to play against more than 3 chords
◦ For rhythm instruments: know the basic chords and rhythm
◦ No need to know how to read music or fancy theory
This class is designed to complement the other jams and classes, for example:
• The Swing Jam at Manning Studios: we do 1 song per month so people have time to prepare. And because there is time, we tend to do songs that are more “interesting” than the run-of-the-mill standard jam staple.
• The Monday Swing Time at Manning studios: my understanding is that time focuses on 1 or 2 songs per session, with learning how to solo, scales, licks, etc.
• The Starry Plough Swing Jam: this is your typical going-around jam where anything is possible, although “standard” tunes are generally called, but it’s a sink-or-swim kind of situation
• The Freight Swing Guitar class: this one is for guitarists specifically: chord fingerings and sequences, right hand rhythm, etc.
If you’re interested, email me and I’ll send you the payment details to reserve your spot.
Learn / improve your guitar skills to play Swing songs: the "swing" style and sound, chords, standard progressions, and soloing.
I teach this class in-person:
Thursdays from 5:30pm to 6:45 pm for 6 weeks at the Freight And Salvage, in Berkeley, starting May 8, 2025
Click here to register through the Freight & Salvage.
I also teach one-on-one individual lessons, online or in-person at my house in Oakland
Send me an email oaklandolivier@gmail.com if you're interested.
Click here for more details
This class is for guitar players who want to learn how to play Swing or improve your chords chops and rhythm playing.
If you play folk music, bluegrass, country, or rock, or even swing already, and are comfortable with the standard "campfire" or "cowboy" chords, you're ready for this class. We'll build on your knowledge and learn the chords and rhythms used in Western Swing, Classic Jazz like the Great American Songbook, and Gypsy Jazz. Very little theory, don't worry, no scales, solfège, or music notation.
Using common swing tunes as examples we'll learn the closed-position movable chords (you know, those not-so-intimidating-once-you-know-what-they-mean, 6s, 9s, diminished and augmented), and also look at chord substitutions, standard progressions and turn arounds. We may also take a standard Bluegrass or Country song and see how we can "swing-ify" it with these new chords.
Chords are only one aspect; we'll also see how to play with a "swing touch", so we'll talk about tone and feel, including the right-hand technique and rhythm patterns, and, most importantly, how to play with other musicians, in jams or bands. And if you're interested in soloing, we'll look at practical tips you can use right away. And if Gypsy Jazz is your thing, we'll learn La Pompe and 3-note chords.
And by the way, except for the chord diagrams, a lot of this class is applicable to other chordal instruments like the mandolin.
Class prerequisites: knowing how to finger the simple chords or even the basic Swing chords. That's it! We'll learn all the chord fingerings using simple diagrams. If you already know how to read a chord chart or grille, great, if not, we'll learn that too.
From previous students:
"Valuable information about pick/strum technique, chord substitutions, and how to make your solos more interesting and effective. This class has a good balance between talking and playing!"
"I've enjoyed the class and your teaching style, which I describe as practical and laid back."
"What I find valuable is the go-a-round which forces us to practice playing rhythm properly and to improvise. You are also a kind and encouraging teacher. "
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a little video describing the class...
We'll learn to sing all those classic songs French songs you've heard before (La Vie En Rose, Les Feuilles Mortes, Ménilmontant, J'Attendrai, etc...) and a bunch you've never heard before.
Online (Zoom), Tuesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm for 6 week, starting May 6, 2025
Click here to register through the Freight & Salvage.
Click here for more details
Learn to sing songs from the classic French Café Music repertoire (Piaf, Trenet, Montand, Gainsbourg, Brassens, etc.) as well as some more modern songs.
Every week we learn and sing together 2 new songs. Those can be famous or obscure songs, waltzes, foxtrots, tangos, political songs, romantic songs, happy songs, broken heart songs.
For each song, I read, explain and translate the lyrics, then talk about where the song comes from, its social, political and historical context, and the references hidden in the lyrics. All stuff you won't find on Wikipedia. And then of course we'll sing. We'll learn the melody together and work on the pronunciation, so in the end you'll even improve your French!
You don't need to be fluent in French. Some basics of French would be helpful, but don’t worry, I'll help you with the pronunciation, in fact many people who have taken the class didn't speak French at all. Also, no prior experience required in singing, playing an instrument, or any music theory.
I'll send the lyrics and chord charts of the song for each week, along with links so you can listen to the song ahead of time.
From previous students:
"The class was fun! Olivier is an excellent teacher, singer, and musician."
"It was well structured for both, more confident and less experienced French speakers ."
"Olivier was very responsive and engaging and a delightful musician who clearly knew his stuff."
Links to some songs we might do:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhJ8QhZMh5W7gBBRwxKiX5nEyEBcIz-Vn
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhJ8QhZMh5W5UkCJjV3xx4qfT8deSTmR9
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/olivierzyngier
Scroll down a bit for a little video describing the class...
Are you new to Bluegrass Jamming, or want to improve your skills, or learn new songs? This class will give you the confidence to play with others, enjoy doing so, and have other jammers appreciate you being part of the circle. We’ll play and sing together, learn how to follow a chord progression, kick off and end tunes, solo, accompany the singers, set the tempo, etc. and all the unspoken rules of jam “etiquette”.
In-person, Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 7:45pm for 6 weeks at my house in Oakland starting November 12, 2024
No class this session
Send me an email oaklandolivier@gmail.com if you're interested.
Click here for more details
[Note: this class is the same I taught at the Freight, except now it's at my house]
The class covers everything from understanding the structure and form of bluegrass songs, how to follow a chord progression, kicking off and ending tunes, setting a tempo, using the capo (for those who use a capo!), playing along with 4/4 and waltz time songs, fiddle tunes and much more while becoming familiar with the unspoken rules of bluegrass jam etiquette.
Together we'll cover topics like understanding the structure and form of bluegrass songs, how to follow a chord progression, kicking off and ending tunes, setting a tempo, accompany yourself while singing, soloing and supporting the singer, using the capo (for those who use a capo!), playing along with 4/4 and waltz time songs, fiddle tunes and much more while becoming familiar with the unspoken rules of bluegrass jam etiquette.
By the end of the class, you'll know how to join a jam, how to prepare and call your own songs, how to play along with a song you're not familiar with (or familiar with but in a different key), how to start a song and describe it to those who don't know it, how to "guess" what the next chord is, what backup and fills to play, how to start a solo, etc.
We'll play fast and slow songs, waltzes, fiddle tunes, the whole gamut. We'll emphasize and practice how to play rhythm with, and listen to, the other players, because that's the single most important skill that'll get you invited back... or not! Anything is fair game, from what is "bluegrass rhythm", to how to chop, which chords and bass runs to play, etc.
And most important of all, the goal is to give you the confidence to play with others, enjoy doing so, and have the other jammers appreciate you being part of the circle.
The class is open to all bluegrass instrument players (guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, bass) and singers. From beginners to advanced, although you should know how to play the basic C, D, G, A, etc. chords (a.k.a. I/IV/V) in common bluegrass keys. And if you don't know what I/IV/V means don't worry, you'll see, it's very simple.
And, as a bonus, you'll see how the same principles apply when you join a band, so we'll talk about that.
I'll have songs and tunes ready for us to play, but the best would be for YOU to bring songs YOU want to share.
I host a Swing jam every 1st Sunday of the month at the Starry Plough in Berkeley, 3-5pm. Check out, follow or join the Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/eastbayswingjam/ to keep in touch and know when the next jam is.
(The jam may not be in the Starry Plough's web site yet, we're working on it)
Click here for more details
This jam is for all musicians who like swing/jazz songs from the 20's 30's and 40's to 50's, for example songs from the Great American Songbook, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Fats Waller, Hoagy Carmichael, etc., with a good mix of Gypsy Jazz / Manouche, Western Swing, etc. So probably not hardcore jazz, not bluegrass or country or old time, and not blues or rock either.
All levels are welcome but if you're a beginner you may find it challenging... or a good opportunity to learn! Maybe the best way to describe the level is this: lots of 6th and 9th chords, plus the usual smattering of Δ, Ø, m7b5, 0 and +. Or of course simple songs are always welcome!
Open to all instruments, including your singing voice. If you play a loud or unusual instrument, please be mindful of how it'll fit in. Acoustic only please.
It's not a class or a concert, it's a jam but we welcome all listeners and even dancers. If you want to take solos that's great, if you prefer to only sing or accompany the soloists or singers that's OK too.
Bring your tablet or chord book. If you call a tune please make sure you can play or sing it (start and finish, play the head, know the chords, etc.), and that it fits the level of your fellow players.
The jam is free, so come play or listen and enjoy the drinks or food of the Starry Plough. Minors welcome.
So come on by and let's have fun playing swing.
Tell your musician friends and anyone who wants to come listen, the more the merrier...
Who are these classes for, when should I take them, etc...
Click here for details
- Are these classes in person?
The Swing Guitar and Bluegrass Jam classes are in person. The French Café Songs class is on Zoom, which means no parking hassle in Berkeley, and you can do it from your couch.
- Do I need to read music or have any music theory training for any of those classes?
No. We'll use a little theory in the Swing Guitar class, just to understand the chords, but nothing fancy. And none of that in the other 2 classes. And in any case, no music reading, not even tabs!
- I have already taken one of these classes, should I re-up?
Of course! For all those classes, I have a lot of topics and songs we can do, and it's up to you whether you want to learn new songs and skills or dig deeper in the ones you already have.
- What level do I need to be for the Bluegrass Jam class?
from beginner to medium, i.e. from "I have never played in a Bluegrass jam", to "I have played in a jam but I'd like to improve and learn new songs". There are always new skills and songs to learn at any level :-). By the way, the class is open to instrumentalists (whether you play solos or just rhythm) and singers.
- Can I bring my trombone/harp/electric guitar to the Bluegrass Jam class?
Well of course traditional Bluegrass instruments are what first comes to mind (Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bass, Dobro), but if you play another instrument, as long as it's acoustic, why not! I have played Bluegrass with clarinet, trumpet and accordion players and it works.
- I already/only play Bluegrass/Country/Folk/Blues/Rock, can I take the Swing Guitar Class?
Absolutely! As long as you know the basic chords you're good to go. And I promise you'll come out of the class being able to play more than the usual All Of Me and Lady Be Good.
- I already play Swing, should I take the Swing Guitar Class?
Yes! There are a lot of topics we can explore, from chords to frequently used patterns and turn arounds, soloing, etc. Each class is different based on what the students' level and interest are, and YOU get to influence what we learn.
- I don't speak French, can I take the French Café Songs class?
Yes! Several people who never spoke French have taken the class. I help with the pronunciation. Now, you won't be a fluent French speaker at the end of the class, but you'll be a little further than you were before, and you'll have had fun singing all those great songs, and remember one thing: it's on Zoom, so you can sing your heart out with whatever accent you want, no-one will be there to shame you :-)
- The French Café Songs class sounds interesting but I am only/not interested in Edith Piaf and the other classic French singers?
We will do of course some of the classic French repertoire, but we'll also do some (somewhat more) modern songs. Some sessions we've done 3 Piaf songs, some no Piaf at all. I always choose the songs based on students' interests, current events, songs returning students have or haven't done in previous sessions, etc.
- I don't play an instrument nor am I a trained singer, is the French Café Songs class for me?
You don't need either to participate in the class. Just be ready to learn new songs and sing your heart out.
For classes taught through the Freight And Salvage, registration and payment are all through their site.
For classes I teach myself, Payments are possible via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Bill.com.
For online teaching, I usually use Zoom or Duo. For in-person lessons, we can do it inside, with a comfortable 6ft distance, or if the weather is good we can do it safely distanced in my backyard.
I am available during the day or evenings, weekdays or weekends.
Send me an email to oaklandolivier@mandosoft.com if you want to talk about taking lessons, or when you're ready to schedule one.