Following the success of previous Grateful Dead-themed classes, Stanford University has announced a new Continuing Studies course—Composition, Interpretation, and Improvisation: The Music of the Grateful Dead—taught by David Gans.
“The Grateful Dead redefined live music through their unique blend of original songs, reimagined covers, and collective, simultaneous improvisation,” the course description reads. “Their innovative approach has influenced countless musicians, spawned legions of fans from Steve Jobs to John Mayer, and remains a model for creative collaboration in music and beyond.”
The new online course is open to the public with a registration fee of $405 and will offer an in-depth exploration of the Dead’s distinctive musical style, “where individual contributions converge into a cohesive sound that creates ‘gestalt magic.'” According to the course catalog, “Each session will feature guided listening to five or six select pieces from every phase of the band’s career, complemented by insights from composers and musicians who studied and/or collaborated with the band. Students will examine the technical intricacies of the Dead’s improvisation and discover how their style has inspired generations. Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or new to their music, this course provides a valuable opportunity to appreciate the Grateful Dead’s enduring impact on modern music and culture.”
The class will also feature an impressive roster of guest speakers, including Dark Star Orchestra members Rob Barraco and Jeff Mattson, guitarists and musicologist Shaugn O’Donnell, co-host of SiriusXM’s Tales from the Golden Road and nugs.net’s Dead Air Gary Lambert, Grateful Dead sound engineer and auxiliary keyboardist Bob Bralove (who helped the band integrate MIDI technology into “Drums” and “Space” in the ’80s and ’90s), and composer, musician, and educator Giancarlo Aquilanti.
Registration for Composition, Interpretation, and Improvisation: The Music of the Grateful Dead is open now. The class will meet on Tuesdays at 5:30–7:20 p.m. PT, running for six weeks from April 8th through May 13th. For more information and to register for the course, head here.