American Roots Guitar – Late-Beginner to Early Intermediate Folk Adventure!
You already know a handful of chords and can strum along to a few songs… but something’s missing. You want that raw, front-porch soul—the kind of sound that makes dogs howl in harmony and neighbors grab a mason jar and pull up a chair. Welcome to American Roots Guitar, the class that turns “decent” players into storytellers.
Get ready to dive deep into the three mighty rivers that fed practically all American music:
1. Old-Time Country & Bluegrass Flatpicking - Learn the driving boom-chick rhythm that powered Carter Family records, early Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, and every jam session from Virginia to Texas. We’re talking “Wildwood Flower,” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” at speeds that’ll make your fingers smoke (in a good way).
2. Traditional Fingerstyle (“Travis Picking” & Beyond) Unlock the magical alternating-thumb secrets made famous by Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Mississippi John Hurt. One minute you’re the whole band—bass, chords, and melody all at once. You’ll be playing The old time Tunes smoother than Tennessee whiskey.
3. Fingerpicking Country Blues Slide into the haunting, Piedmont and Delta styles of Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, and Elizabeth Cotten. We’ll cover those irresistible syncopated grooves, funky turnarounds, and that “talking guitar” feel that says more with six strings than most folks do with a lifetime of words.
Here’s what you’ll actually walk away owning:
Rock-solid alternating bass thumb (the heartbeat of roots guitar)
Killer right-hand patterns you can use on hundreds of songs
Flatpicking techniques: crosspicking, fiddle-tune runs, and that perfect G-run everybody cheers for
A fat repertoire of stone-cold classics you can play at any campfire, open mic, or family reunion
Prerequisites (you’ve probably already got these!):
Open chords: G, C, D, E, A, F (plus most of their 7ths)
Ability to change chords without staring at the neck the whole time
You can tune your own guitar (or at least fake it convincingly)
No stuffy theory lectures—just straight-to-the-good-stuff lessons that sound amazing from day one.
Whether you dream of picking like Doc, grooving like Mississippi John, or holding down the rhythm in an old-time string band, this course is your fast-track to authentic American roots mojo.
Grab your guitar and let’s make some music that feels like home—even if you’ve never been south of the Mason-Dixon line.
Meet Fritz Schuler, your friendly guide to the world of folk music! A former elementary school teacher, Fritz has shared his love for folk guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer through the University of Wisconsin’s Continuing Education program for nearly 30 years at UW-Fox Valley in Appleton. His passion for teaching has also taken him to UW Centers in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Green Bay, West Bend, and Manitowoc, as well as The Golden Ring in Manitowoc, where he’s inspired nearly 2,000 students to strum, pick, and play with joy.
Fritz’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop there! He’s brought the rich history of American folk music to life through mini-courses at high schools, teacher in-service programs, and even a master’s class at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. Plus, he’s shared his expertise with music teachers through a “Folk Instruments in the Classroom” class at Silver Lake College. A performer since the mid-1960s, Fritz’s love for traditional American folk music shines through in every note. Come learn, play, and share the joy of music with Fritz!
