4-Week January 2025 Intensive Masterclass Series

LESSON ONE: OVERVIEW

PART ONE: ASSESSMENT:

In Lesson One, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of your journey as a guitarist, musician, and artist. This session goes beyond assessing your technical skills; it dives into your unique perspectives on creativity and output. We'll discuss whether your focus is on honing your proficiency in performing existing pieces or if you aspire to evolve into an artist crafting original compositions with a distinct artistic perspective. Our goal is to capture a snapshot of your current standing and illuminate the path toward your desired musical destination. Together, we will document every metric of where you are and envision every metric of where you want to be. This detailed assessment will serve as the foundation for crafting a personalized course to propel you toward your goals.

PART TWO: ACTIONABLE PROGRESS:

In the second part of Lesson One, we shift our focus to tangible progress. While keeping the big picture in mind, we aim to provide you with immediate momentum in your practice and work. This segment is tailored to suit individual needs. It may involve workshopping an original composition from a writing perspective, refining a cover from a technical standpoint, collaborating on a creative plan for a specific artistic project (such as an EP or album), or addressing equipment adjustments to ensure your gear is tuned precisely for the expressions you seek.

By the end of Lesson One, not only will we have a clear understanding of your musical landscape, but we'll also have initiated practical steps to set you in motion towards your musical aspirations.

PART THREE: CRAFTING YOUR COURSE:

In the final segment of Lesson One, we bring together the insights gained from our self-assessment and tangible progress made in the session. Now, as teacher and student, we collaborate to chart the course for the remaining three lessons of the masterclass.

1. Review and Reflect:

Together, we'll review the self-assessment and the progress achieved in Part Two. This reflection ensures a clear understanding of where you stand and the initial strides taken toward your musical goals.

2. Identify Priorities:

We'll identify the key areas that need focus and improvement based on your aspirations and the assessment. Whether it's technical skills, creative expression, or specific project goals, we'll prioritize the elements that align with your musical journey.

3. Set Target Goals:

Building on the foundation laid in Lesson One, we'll collaboratively set specific and achievable goals for the remaining three lessons. These goals will serve as guideposts for our journey, ensuring that each lesson contributes meaningfully to your overall progress.

4. Customized Curriculum:

Tailoring the course content to your unique needs, we'll outline a curriculum that addresses both short-term objectives and long-term musical development. This may involve a mix of technical exercises, creative workshops, and project-focused sessions.

5. Flexibility and Adaptation:

Recognizing that your musical journey is dynamic, we'll build in flexibility to adapt the course as needed. Whether it's refining certain skills, exploring new creative avenues, or adjusting goals based on your evolving aspirations, our course will remain responsive to your growth.

By the end of Lesson One, not only will you have a personalized roadmap for the remaining masterclass sessions, but you'll also have actively contributed to shaping a course that aligns seamlessly with your musical ambitions.

LESSON TWO: BUILDING TECHNICAL MASTERY

PART ONE: TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT:

In Lesson Two, our focus shifts to a detailed examination of your technical proficiency. We'll delve into the nuances of your playing style, identifying strengths and pinpointing areas for improvement. Whether it's refining fingerstyle techniques, enhancing fretboard navigation, or exploring advanced chord progressions, this session aims to elevate your technical prowess.

PART TWO: TECHNICAL WORKSHOP:

Building on the insights gained from the assessment, we'll engage in a technical workshop tailored to your specific needs. This could include targeted exercises to improve speed and accuracy, drills to enhance groove and impact, or deep dives into advanced techniques. The goal is to provide you with practical tools and exercises that contribute to noticeable improvements in your playing.

PART THREE: INTEGRATING TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Now, we transition from isolated exercises to real-world application. We'll explore how to seamlessly integrate the technical skills you've honed into your playing style. This could involve revisiting pieces from your repertoire, adapting them to showcase your newfound techniques, or even exploring the creation of short technical etudes. The aim is to ensure that your technical proficiency becomes an integral part of your musical expression.

PART FOUR: SETTING TECHNICAL GOALS:

Together, we'll set specific and achievable technical goals for the remaining sessions. These goals will serve as milestones to gauge your progress and guide our focus in the upcoming lessons.

LESSON THREE: CRAFTING ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS

PART ONE: COMPOSITION INSIGHTS:

In Lesson Three, we pivot towards the art of composition. We'll explore the foundations of creating original pieces, discussing melody, harmony, and structure. Whether you're a seasoned composer or a newcomer to songwriting, we'll delve into techniques for generating ideas and translating emotions into musical form.

PART TWO: WORKSHOPPING ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS:

Building on the insights from Part One, we'll workshop an original composition of yours. This hands-on session allows us to apply compositional principles in real-time, refining melodies, experimenting with chord progressions, and shaping the overall structure. The goal is to foster creativity and provide actionable feedback to enhance your composition.

PART THREE: EXPANDING COMPOSITION TECHNIQUES:

Dive deeper into the compositional toolbox. We'll explore advanced techniques such as modulation, variation, and thematic development. This session aims to broaden your compositional palette, empowering you to craft more intricate and captivating musical narratives.

PART FOUR: SETTING COMPOSITION GOALS:

Collaboratively, we'll establish specific composition goals for the remaining sessions. These goals will guide our exploration of composition techniques and ensure that your original works continue to evolve and captivate.

LESSON FOUR: PRODUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC PRODUCTION:

In Lesson Four, we enter the realm of music production and arrangement. We'll explore the basics of recording, editing, and mixing, discussing how these elements contribute to the overall sonic landscape. Whether you're a novice or have some experience, this session aims to demystify the production process.

PART TWO: WORKSHOPPING ARRANGEMENTS:

Building on the production insights, we'll workshop an arrangement, dissecting the components that contribute to a well-crafted musical piece. This could involve experimenting with different instrumentation, exploring creative ways to enhance dynamics, and understanding the role of production in conveying emotion.

PART THREE: ENGINEERING & MIXING TECHNIQUES:

Delve into the intricacies of engineering and mixing. We'll discuss techniques for achieving a polished and professional sound, addressing common challenges and troubleshooting. This practical session aims to empower you to take control of the production process and elevate the quality of your recordings.

PART FOUR: SETTING PRODUCTION GOALS:

Together, we'll set specific production goals for you to take what you’ve learned this month and create something beautiful with it. The aim is to leave you with all the skills necessary to feel confident moving forward in your artistry.

CLOSING NOTES AND ONGOING INSTRUCTION

FINAL NOTES:

As we approach the end of this masterclass series, we'll dedicate the final 15-minutes to reflect on your musical journey and achievements. We'll revisit the goals set in Lesson One, assess your progress, and celebrate the milestones you've reached. This closing portion will also serve as an opportunity to address any lingering questions, provide guidance on integrating your newfound skills into your ongoing practice routine, and discuss potential avenues for future musical exploration.

ONGOING INSTRUCTION:

Beyond the masterclass series, consider enrolling in ongoing instruction sessions tailored to your evolving needs. These sessions can be scheduled periodically or regularly to provide continuous guidance, feedback, and exploration of advanced topics based on your musical aspirations.

MATERIALS TO WALK AWAY WITH:

Following your final session, you will receive a copy of all class notes, as well as the recordings of your sessions. Embark on this musical odyssey with the assurance that your journey extends far beyond these sessions. Let the knowledge and skills gained serve as a foundation for a lifelong exploration of music and artistry.