Tuscany Workshop Announcement!

Hi Patr(e)ons!

Fancy joining me for a week of intensive learning, jamming and guitar fun in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside?

Before I announce this anywhere else, I wanted to let everyone here know that I will be running my first Guitar Workshop in Tuscany, Italy from May 18th-24th 2025. This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m very excited at the prospect of getting to hang out with some of you for a week, to share my guitar knowledge and generally help fast-track your playing. This promises to be a hugely enjoyable, transformative experience. If this might be of interest to you please read on, as I want to fill you in on some details of how it will work. Things are currently being finalised and before they are, I was hoping to gauge your interest and also get some initial feedback on the plan outlined below.

Workshop Format

We will spend 5 days (and 6 nights) together in a beautiful, secluded location in Tuscany. We can make as much noise as we want, whilst discussing and playing a wealth of musical material that I’m hoping will advance your guitar playing exponentially.

The workshop will be limited to 10 students. I want to keep this intimate so I’m able to really focus on the individual needs of the students that choose to attend. Unlike most day, or weekend workshops, you will have my total attention: we’ll be in this together, living and breathing guitar for a week.

I’m planning on exploring topics such as building a solid repertoire of songs, developing practice routines, and expanding your fretboard knowledge. And there will be a particular focus on playing with others, whether in duos, small groups or with a full band. This is something many students initially feel a bit nervous or intimidated about. But it’s really nothing to be scared of. The workshop will provide the ideal opportunity to build confidence in this area, as we work on communicating with other musicians, choosing appropriate tones, and finding the right part to fit in with the band.

What you can expect is two, 3 hour workshop sessions each day - one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. On the last two days we will be joined by a talented local rhythm section (a bass player and drummer, both also teachers in their own right) for the afternoon sessions. And everyone will get the opportunity to jam and perform with the band.

You will just need to bring an electric guitar with you (more than one if you like!) though there is also a collection of guitars at the property in case anybody needs one, or is just interested in playing something different. Amps will be provided, and there are also some acoustic guitars, keyboards available.

Musical Style & Songs

I want the workshop to reflect the musical diversity of my channel rather than be too style-specific, and I thought it would be fun to focus mostly on a range of instrumental classics from my channel - I’ve looked at tons of these over the years! I’ve yet to put together a definitive song list (and would welcome your input on this) but it could include things such as surf rock classics, (Pipeline, Miserlou etc.) Link Wray, Steve Cropper, twangin’ country tunes, blues (perhaps Hideway from a few weeks ago, or The Stumble), all the way through to more alternative or punk stuff (Rowland S Howard, anyone?!)

There’s going to be something for players of all levels of ability, though it’s not a workshop for complete beginners (ideally you will at least want to know your basic “cowboy” chords, simple barre chords, and perhaps have a bit of major and minor pentatonic scale knowledge). Otherwise I hope the format of the workshop is going to be flexible enough to accommodate and inspire players with a range of different abilities and musical interests.

Beautiful countryside, delicious food…beer!

Music is obviously going to be our main focus, but there’s going to be much more to it than just guitar. There will be plenty of opportunities to unwind and enjoy the fabulous Tuscan location. The workshop is located in the heart of Tuscany’s wine region (closest airports Rome or Florence) at Borgo Poggio Bianco. It’s a stunning property, with plenty of places to visit nearby. The rooms are large and if you’d like to bring a partner that is welcomed and encouraged. If you would like to check the property out here’s a link: https://www.borgopoggiobianco.net

You’ll get three delicious locally-sourced meals each day: breakfast in the beautiful Pool House, lunch where we rehearse, and then back to the Pool House for dinner. Local beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are also included, as is room and board. One last thing, Poggio Bianco has just opened its own brewery on the property (they also produce some of the best olive oil in the region). They will hopefully have their Tap Room at the brewery (currently under development) open for the public by the time of the workshop. If all goes to plan we may be playing a show there on one of the evenings. Let me know if you’d like to be there!

Please get in touch for more information

My friend Richard, who helps arrange workshops at Poggio Bianco for the owner, is assisting me with the organisation. He’s massively experienced when it comes to this kind of thing, having previously put together workshops for Justin Sandercoe and many other great players and teachers. He is going to take care of all the practical arrangements and will ensure everything runs smoothly.

If you are interested in becoming one of my ten students, or if you have any questions, please send an email to me and Richard at PBworkshops@mail.com

I very much hope to see you there!

All the best,

Adrian