Why Study This Course?
Want to take your acoustic guitar playing to the next level? This workshop will give you the skills, techniques, and musical understanding to accompany songs, solo, and explore traditional blues forms and contemporary styles. You’ll receive plenty of individual attention and learn in a supportive environment. This course is perfect for guitarists looking to expand their repertoire and confidence.
You will:
Develop your blues guitar skills in a supportive group setting.
Learn techniques to accompany songs and play solos.
Explore the rich history of blues music.
Improve your timing, tone, and expressiveness.
Receive personalised guidance to support your learning.
This course covers:
Arm, wrist, hand and finger exercises and technique to develop requisite strength/flexibility and to avoid risk of straining
Listening/aural skills - recognising chords, hearing and predicting chord changes
Twelve bar blues forms and progressions in different keys with rhythmic options at differing tempos
Minor Pentatonic Scales for soloing
Ensemble playing - Starting with simple forms and practicing to high levels of clarity, timing, tone and expressiveness, then gradually developing complexity
Further technique such as string bending, vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs, finger picking, open tunings and slide technique
You will:
Develop your blues guitar skills in a supportive group setting.
Learn techniques to accompany songs and play solos.
Explore the rich history of blues music.
Improve your timing, tone, and expressiveness.
Receive personalised guidance to support your learning.
You should be able to play common chords and chord changes with some fluency.
You will need an acoustic guitar and accessories such as spare strings, capo, bottle slide and plectrum.
You are also advised to purchase a blank stave notebook.
Your progress will be assessed through observation and participation in group playing. You may wish to progress to further practical jazz courses, such as Guitar workshops at Richmond Jazz School. See their website for more information.
We provide a supportive and encouraging learning environment. Our tutor is experienced in working with a range of abilities.