NixWorks Academy Zoom Classes and Workshops
NixWorks Academy Classes and Workshops
What students are saying:
Michael’s approach is straightforward as he provides a clear explanation of the music theory and its hands-on application on your instrument. Barry/guitar
I’m getting real benefit from these sessions. The introduction of learning theory along a horizontal axis has made concepts much easier to understand. Richard, guitar
Thank you for your great work. I definitely would recommend your class. Yenna, uke
Thank you so much for your terrific teaching. Katie, banjo, guitar & Robert, mandolin
Acoustic Slow Jam Class with Michael Nix,
Acoustic Slow Jam Class is offered for adult players who would like to learn how to successfully play music with other people in a coached group setting. Each person brings or suggests a song or instrumental that they would like to play with the group. We only go as fast on that song as the person suggesting it can play. We have played everything from folk tunes, Beatles, classic rock, fiddle tunes, bluegrass and blues. We have a lot of fun while putting some good playing skills in place. It’s a great environment to work out everything from basic strumming with others to beginning soloing strategies. Drop ins are welcome.
The third session of Acoustic Slow Jam Classes will start on Monday, 10/6/25, and take place every other Monday for 6 weeks with some weeks off at the end of October
when I will be in North Carolina for the Banjo Gathering annual conference. These are the scheduled classes for this session:
Session 3
10/6/25
10/20/25
11/3/25
11/17/25
12/1/25
12/15/25
6x25= $150
Coached Slow Jam classes will be limited to Five (4) players-I have 2 spots open left.
The class is for the person transitioning from beginner to intermediate player and will focus on topics which may include:
•Identifying song forms
•Common chord progressions and why they work
•Use of 7th, diminished and augmented chords
•Soloing strategies for those working out solos
•Accompaniment strategies
•Playing in ensemble
•Any topics that students want to address in a jam or ensemble setting
We will work with music from a wide variety of styles: folk song, blues, bluegrass, old-time, fiddle tunes, rock songs, and whatever the participants may want to play. All instruments are welcome. It is suggested that the participants know the major, minor, and Dominant 7th chords on your instrument, and can play chord changes in time. I will help with other chord forms for your instruments as they crop up in the music. You must be able to read and play from a basic lyric/chord chart with some fluency. Reading music is not necessary, but is a plus.
I will suggest and provide some songs that fit my goals for the coaching in this session. Slow Jammers may suggest tunes that they wish to play or work on, especially if they are working out solos for specific songs. Jammers my provide the songs to the group either by sending around a pdf, or providing printed copies for the group. Classes are not presented in a linear manner, so a player may hop into the class whenever they can make the class.
Tuition for the 6-week session is $150, or $25 for each class you can make.
If you choose to start on 10/20, the 5-week session will run $125.
You may register for a term of 6 classes or as many as you can make for the term, payable in the following formats:
By Cash
By Check: Send a check made to Michael Nix, NixWorks, PO Box 400, Greenfield, MA, 01302.
Venmo: @NixWorks
PayPal: @NixWorks
Slow Jam Class will take place in my studio office at 40 School Street, #10, alternate Mondays, from 7 pm – 8:30 pm. Come in the front door, come up the stairs, and the room is the first door on the right on the second floor. There is on-site parking at the studio. I would suggest leaving cases in the outer office, or in the hallway.
Register by calling, email (mnix at nixworks.com), text message, FB message.
Register on line by clicking on the Banjar image: 
Slow Jam Class is a coached slow jam session once a week for acoustic instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, uke, fiddle, etc.) that is structured so that everyone who participates will successfully learn the skills to play music in a group setting. These classes are structured with the adult player in mind. I will offer my coaching and guidance in the class.
Class overview:
-- The class will run an hour and a half.
--Each person will suggest a song to work on. You may submit a pdf or a hard copy to me, and I will distribute to the class by pdf, which can be printed and looked over before the first session. When we play a person’s song, we go only as fast at that person can handle playing the song. We work on making that person successful in playing both melody and chords. Of course you will have to expect that there are different levels, and not everyone may be able to keep up with a more advanced person’s song, but we can talk about strategies to deal with that. The important thing is that the person who brings a song will determine the speed and complexity of what is played. That way everyone will find some success. As the class progresses we may agree on a bonus song or two to include in the sessions.
--We will work on musicianship within a group, how to listen to one another. How to keep track of what is going on, how to get back on if you get lost. How to shape phrases when you play melody, and how to keep your dynamics soft and support the melody when you play chords. Using dynamics and articulation to shape melody and phrasing.
--For those who are improvising, we will work on very simple improvising strategies. We will work on accompaniment patterns, fills, and solos.
--For those of you who are arranging, we can hand out parts and try out your arrangements in a live setting.
--Each student will be responsible for bringing a folding music stand, and their own music printed from the pdf’s provided.