Workshops

Workshops are a great way to learn some essential skills in guitar or bass and as an alternative to one-on-one lessons have numerous benefits such as:

  • One-off payment may be more affordable if you are on a very tight budget
  • Do not require a regular commitment - perfect for those with an unpredictable schedule
  • You get to meet many like-minded players at a similar skill level
  • You might be the type of person who wants to be self-directed, but needs a few basic pointers to get started
I have designed the workshops around what I would call key areas - small chunks of information and practical playing that can be digested in a couple of hours, but will open the doorway and provide the catalyst to further learning.

Scroll down to view the available workshops which are planned for the week of 5th-10th April.  Locations and times will be confirmed by the middle of February (but will be in central Bristol).  The cost of each workshop will be £20 per person.


- DISCOUNT OFFER -
Registering your interest before the end of January entitles you to a £5 reduction in the workshop fee, and you can book your space once times are confirmed using this reduction.



Beginners Workshops

Your first melodies on guitar

This workshop assumes you have no previous knowledge of the guitar.  We will look at the anatomy of the instrument, how it works, how to hold it, how to tune it, and how to use it to play a simple melody.  This workshop could easily be followed by Basic Chords and Strumming, but the aim is to provide a simple introduction to the instrument.




Basic Chords and Strumming or 'Campfire Jam 101'

Aimed at beginners who would like to be able to get started with playing along with songs from chord charts.

In this workshop you will be shown how to read a chord chart, how to find three basic chords, and how to use your strumming hand to create the rhythm.  The basic principles that are taught in this workshop can be continued at home with your own learning, and I will be on hand to answer your questions and give tips on your technique.




Introduction to finger picking

Bored of strumming?  With a few finger picking patterns under your belt a few chords can go a very long way, and the basics can be learned in a short time.  Whether your interested in playing your favourite Simon and Garfunkel tune or are a singer-songwriter in search of some inspiration, the applications are endless.  In this workshop you will be taught several examples and given the resources to find more patterns which you can adopt into your own style with ease.




Intermediate Workshops

12 Bar Blues and the Blues (Pentatonic) Scale

This basic musical structure is the first port of call for most guitarists who are looking to get into improvisation.  Blues is a good stepping stone to other styles including jazz, funk and reggae, and is a good first step in improvisation due to it's relative simplicity and opportunity for expression.  

In this workshop we will examine the pentatonic (5-note) 'blues' scale, and look at scale practice methods and expressive techniques (like hammer-ons, slides, pull-offs and bends).  We will look at the basic structure of the 12 bar with a few variants - you will receive a backing CD to play along with at home with the blues in all 12 keys, and clear instructions on how to get started.  



More workshops are in preparation and will be added here soon.