Stanford University Keeps On Truckin’ With New Grateful Dead Course

Stanford University’s Continuing Studies program will once again present an online course focusing on the Grateful Dead this spring taught by David Gans. The six-week “Composition, Interpretation, and Improvisation: The Music of the Grateful Dead” offering runs from April 8 through May 13.

David Gans has led several Grateful Dead-themed courses at the past at Stanford University starting with “Psychedelia and Groove: The Music and Culture of the Grateful Dead” early in 2024. Gans has authored or co-authored five books about the Grateful Dead, co-hosts SiriusXM’s Tales From The Golden Road and produces and hosts the nationally syndicated Grateful Dead Hour.

David Gans has recruited several guest speakers to present to the class including his Tales From The Golden Road co-host Gary Lambert, composer/Bob Weir collaborator Giancarlo Aquilanti, guitarist/musicologist Shaugn O’Donnell and GD crew member/keyboardist/producer Bob Bralove. Additionally, Dark Star Orchestra keyboardist Rob Barraco and guitarist Jeff Mattson will speak. A description of the course reads:

The Grateful Dead redefined live music through their unique blend of original songs, reimagined covers, and collective, simultaneous improvisation. 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. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of their distinctive musical style—where individual contributions converge into a cohesive sound that creates “gestalt magic.” 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 be held online from 5:30 – 7:20 p.m. PT each Tuesday this fall. Registration is currently underway with tuition set at $405.