Ron Dunn

Welcome to my De Anza College website. Here you'll find general information about the classes I teach; information, updates and handouts for current students; concert listings for world music, guitar, and western "classical" events, links to related websites and classes.

News:

Ron returns from sabbatical in Fall!

Due to the economic crisis, Music 25s, Performance Workshops have been canceled. This affects not only guitar, but winds, piano, jazz, and other disciplines, and could affect your Music Major requirement fulfillment. Please contact Administrators and let them know how this decision affects your academic plan, especially if you're a Music Major!

Music 1C Introduction to Music: World Music in America will be offered in fall and winter quarters only. This is a hybrid class, meeting in person once a week and online for the rest of the coursework. Though the online portion of the class will be conducted through the Catalyst software, and unavailable until the start of the quarter, for interested students here's a copy of the homepage and schedule from last year, and the Course Information Page from last year

Why take this course? In addition to its UC and CSU transferability,

you hear great music samples, get hands-on experience in several music traditions, experience guest appearances
you'll learn about basic musical construction materials: pitch, rhythm, scales, and elements of form such as motive and phrase, that are the building blocks of almost all music
you'll learn about the "roots" of many popular musics, and the interaction of traditional music with popular forms
you'll interact with classmates in online discussion forums, sharing ideas and helping one another understand concepts

Music 58A/B Beginning/Intermediate African and African-influenced Percussion and Rhythms is moving back to Tuesday evening, 7 to 9:40 pm, and will be taught by Ron

For Fall quarter, the class will concentrate on West African music styles, both hand and stick drumming. There will be guest appearances by Perry Quarshie, Ghanaian master drummer.
This class is recommended for all musicians--you will strengthen rhythm and polyrhythm skills, learn to "listen out" better, and perhaps discover a wealth of rhythmic ideas to use in your own music.
No musical experience necessary. Drums and other percussion instruments for in-class use are provided.
Check out the Drumming Homepage link on the left-hand menu for sound samples
Contact Ron for more information

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