What we’ll be covering

This course is always exhilarating, full of invaluable learning points and great fun in a relaxed environment.

Performance is on many levels:

• Just having a go!
• Delivering a piece competently
• Entertaining and enthralling an audience
• Being adaptable to the vibe of the room

1. Technical points to do with your playing and singing
2. Arranging the song to suit your level
3. Adding in dynamics and musical articulation
4. Finding the right key signature for you
5. Know what to play when
6. Feeling comfortable in front of an audience
7. Using your equipment properly
8. Knowing how to communicate effectively with an audience
9. Getting a greater understanding of your instrument, sound, and what to ask for from a sound man.
10. Learning how to build a set list that flows
11. Coping with nerves and tricks to bypass them

Taking the leap and getting up and performing can be a daunting prospect but it’s so rewarding if you give it a go! You may wish to bring a few song/piece options to work on or just perform the same song across the weekend. Either approach is fine.

How The Weekend Will Work

FRIDAY EVENING

Our De Vere hotel location has changed its timings. We feel this also works well for us as a group as it will mean things are less rushed. We will have access to bedrooms from 4pm and access to set up in the teaching room from 5:30pm on the Friday evening. This first evening will be a relaxed time, with us getting know each other, jamming as group, working on performance techniques and playing together. After dinner the evening will open into an open mic event.

SATURDAY

We are aiming to begin performing/teaching at 10am (earlier if the group wish) working through until approximately 5pm. There will be two refreshment breaks, (although you are welcome to take a break at any point) plus a lunch break in the hotel restaurant. We will take an hours break at 5pm before heading for dinner. After dinner it will be group pieces and a chance to simply get up and perform without tutoring.

SUNDAY

We will start at 10am and work through till 4pm. This is an additional three hours tutoring plus a Sunday lunch. There will be a morning refreshment break plus Sunday lunch. Everyone will get the chance to perform solo pieces again as well as group performances from the work done on Saturday.

The room must be empty by 4:30pm. For those that may need to leave slightly earlier, you will get to perform first to ensure you get as much out of the time as possible.

Course suitability

The course is suitable for players of all playing levels (acoustic, electric) but you should have a tune or two under your belt that you can play relatively easily when you’re by yourself. There will be multiple opportunities for solo performances. We’ll also slot in some duet and band exercises for those interested, as well as structured jamming.

The course is focused on performing with the guitar as:

• a solo instrument (lead over a backing track, solo fingerstyle)
• accompanying a singer (duet)
• self-accompaniment for you as a singer/player

Materials

We’ll take photos of any flip charts used or video/audio recordings taken but essentially you’ll be bringing your own music. So just a pen and paper for taking notes should be sufficient.

What’s included in the price?

There are a number of ways of attending our courses: residential, non-residential and sharing with a spouse/partner.

Our price for players is all-inclusive:

• tuition/guidance and any materials
• accommodation and breakfasts (double en suite room whether single or sharing)
• dinners, lunch and morning/afternoon refreshment breaks

Our prices for:

• Non-residential players exclude B&B.
• Non-playing sharing spouse/partners exclude: lunch and refreshments.

Check out the venue by clicking on the name in the sidebar above. If you have any specific requirements about staying at the venue click ENQUIRE and we’ll see if we can help.

Paying Options

At this stage you may choose to pay the full fee or the deposit only. If you choose deposit only, we will contact nearer the course to pay the remaining fee.

Venue

Set amidst acres of Surrey parkland, De Vere Horsley Estate was designed and built in 1820 by Sir Charles Barry; the architect of the Houses of Parliament, the house was later the seat of the Lovelace family who enhanced it with the bold architectural features that can still be seen throughout.

Today, the addition of a contemporary management centre, Horsley Place and the renovation of the estates’ original stables has created modern spaces, including some of our bedrooms, that effortlessly combine with the 19^th-century charm of the mansion.

Located just 10 minutes from J10 of the M25 and a short distance from Horsley, Guildford and Dorking stations, all with direct train routes in London Waterloo.

Free, superfast Wi-Fi with a maximum bandwidth of up to 2GB is available throughout the hotel and up to 100m within the grounds.

Remember

Unlike our online courses these weekend mini-breaks have limited numbers. We have to keep numbers limited on this course or people don’t get adequate time to perform. This is a very popular course – don’t miss out, book in early.