Progessions:
Bluegrass Guitar
Become a bluegrass guitar whiz in 4 months!
So you’ve got the basic skills down on guitar. Ever wanted to be able to comfortably play bluegrass like Tony Rice, Doc Watson, or Billy Strings? Want to expand your repertoire, play guitar in a band, or even record music?
This 4-month online intensive learning experience teaches beginner/intermediate acoustic guitarists how to comfortably play in bluegrass styles. You’ll work with an expert instructor in a small cohort to reach your personalized goals.
The next session starts in September 2024. Fill out our interest form to get updated when applications open!
Progessions:
Bluegrass Guitar
Become a bluegrass guitar whiz in 4 months!
So you’ve got the basic skills down on guitar. Ever wanted to be able to comfortably play bluegrass like Tony Rice, Doc Watson, or Billy Strings? Want to expand your repertoire, play guitar in a band, or even record music?
This 4-month online intensive learning experience teaches beginner/intermediate acoustic guitarists how to comfortably play in bluegrass styles. You’ll work with an expert instructor in a small cohort to reach your personalized goals.
The next session starts in September 2024. Fill out our interest form to get updated when applications open!
How Does Progressions Work?
This isn’t just any online guitar course. It’s designed to give you not just knowledge but practical experience of the fundamentals of Bluegrass guitar beyond just a self-paced series of tutorials.
You can expect:
- 30+ online class sessions taught on Zoom with your cohort of just 2-5 other students on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm MT
- Additional individual sessions with your expert instructor, Martin Gilmore, for personalized help
- Monthly in-person performance opportunities with your fellow students
You’ll be challenged without being overwhelmed to make sure you reach your goals.
Here’s what sets Progressions apart from other courses:
Individual Attention
This isn’t just a series of lectures – with only 2-5 other students, you’ll get specific feedback on your playing, curated practice plans, and personalized one-on-one help from your instructor.
Consistency & Accountability
For many guitarists, the biggest barrier to learning bluegrass is prioritizing your time to just sit down and practice! With twice-weekly class meetings and personalized practice plans, you’ll build up the consistency of learning new songs and techniques to make your new skills second nature.
Performance Opportunities
Learning techniques is only half the battle – actually performing songs is a whole ‘nother ball game! Few other courses give you the opportunity to learn how to give live performances of songs, so you can leave with polished renditions ready for the stage or studio.
Theory, Ensemble, and Jam Skills
There’s much more to this style than just learning flatpicking. You’ll learn crucial, musicianship tools that will last a lifetime like:
- Grooving, keeping time, and phrasing
- Theory, the musical alphabet, and chord voicings
- How to play well with others in a band and/or jam session
- Ear training, thought organizing, and reacting to your audience
Meet Your Instructor
Martin Gilmore has a multi-decade, world-spanning career performing and teaching bluegrass.
As a folk guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Martin has shared the stage with members of The Infamous Stringdusters and opened two shows for Stephen Stills and Judy Collins. He was a founding member of the award-winning bluegrass band Long Road Home, and vintage Honky-Tonk band The Semaphores.
He has taught Bluegrass and Folk guitar at Swallow Hill Music for over 12 years and at the University of Northern Colorado since 2017, in addition to teaching through his private studio.
How Much Does Progressions Cost?
Progressions is an investment in your future guitar talents that costs $1,700 for the full 4-month curriculum. (A payment plan of $425/month is also available.)
Since those 4 months include 30+ class meetings, individual sessions with Martin, and monthly performances, the cost breakdown looks something like this:
…which comes out to less per hour than many private guitar teachers!
*A application fee is also due at the time of applying, which will be applied to the total course tuition*
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if Progressions is a good fit for me?
There is an application and interview process to make sure this program makes sense for you. We’ll also have a live online info session coming up in January.
Applicants will need:
- To have mastery of basic open chords
- Confidence in rhythm and ability to play on time
- To play with a flat pick
- To submit a recording (voice memo, audio or video) of a performance of a complete song for the application process
If any of these sound like you, you’ll likely be a good fit for Progressions:
- Beginning guitarists with basic chord knowledge
- Aspiring gigging, recording, and or teaching musicians looking to record, release, and perform music
- Guitarists looking to start or join bands
- Singer/songwriters
How skilled should I be on guitar to take this course?
How does the application and interview process work?
The application is set up so the instructor can prepare for the interview with the student. The interview is used to assess the skills a student has and if a particular cohort is the right fit for them. In the interview, students will be asked to demonstrate their skill level through playing in a one-on-one setting with their instructor.
How much does Progressions cost? How much is due when?
Progressions is an investment in your future musical talents that costs $1,700 for the full 4-month curriculum. (A payment plan of $425/month is also available.) Those 4 months include 30+ class meetings, individual sessions with Martin, monthly performances, and a final recording opportunity.A refundable deposit of $100 is due at the time of application. This will be refunded to you if you are not accepted into the program.
Can I take Progressions if I don't live in Denver and I can't do in-person performances?
Yes. Progressions will mostly be held virtually, though depending on the location of the students in your cohort, there may be in-person meetings at Swallow Hill in Denver or off-site at other area music venues and studios. Also, depending on the cohort, this can not happen at all, or could be up to once a week.
I'm new to online classes - what should I expect? Is there any computer/video equipment I will need?
Students will need a computer, tablet or device with camera and microphone capabilities. Students will need sufficient internet connection for smooth programming.
A consistent internet upload speed of 5.7 Mbps or more is recommended. Conduct a speed test for your connection at www.speedtest.net (and consider testing during the proposed time of your lessons or class). Using an ethernet cable, plugged from your router to your computer, provides a more stable connection.
Is there a sample class I can take before applying?
Yes! You can sit in on a class with current Progression cohorts to get a taste and instructors can provide the corresponding materials for context.