Progessions:
Electric Guitar
Become an axe master in 4 months!
So you’ve got the basic skills down on guitar, and now you’re ready to dive into a new style – maybe even playing in a band or record music?
This 17-week intensive online learning experience teaches intermediate guitarists how to confidently play lead and rhythm electric guitar, with a focus on any style you desire. 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:
Electric Guitar
Become an axe master in 4 months!
So you’ve got the basic skills down on guitar, and now you’re ready to dive into a new style – maybe even playing in a band or record music?
This 17-week intensive online learning experience teaches intermediate guitarists how to confidently play lead and rhythm electric guitar, with a focus on any style you desire. 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 a deep dive into electric guitar beyond just a self-paced series of tutorials.
You’ll gain not just knowledge but also practical experience that will take your beginner/intermediate skills to an advanced level, no matter what styles you want to focus on.
Here’s what you can expect:
- 30+ online class sessions taught on Zoom in a cohort of just 3-10 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-9 pm MT
- Additional office hours/individual sessions with your expert instructor, Thomas Jennings, for personalized help
- Regular performance opportunities with your fellow students
- A culminating performance, recording, or presentation
Throughout, 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 2-9 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 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 chords, scales, techniques, and songs to become a well-rounded player and make sure your skills don’t fade away.
Performance and Recording 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 comfortably play songs on stage and take them into the studio.
Theory, Creativity, and Industry Skills
What makes a truly great guitarist are the crucial musicianship tools you’ll learn like:
- Theory, rhythm, and ear training
- Fretboard Mapping
- Finding your own “voice” and telling stories through solos
- Leading a band and being a professional
Meet Your Instructor
Thomas Jennings has over a decade of experience performing and teaching guitar professionally.
Thomas has been obsessing over the fretboard since he was ten years old and, continuing this trend, received a degree in jazz guitar performance from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver in 2014.
He has taught private lessons for over 10 years, led various specialty guitar classes for adults at Swallow Hill Music and elsewhere, and hosted workshops on soloing, creativity, language on guitar, and guitar effects pedals.
He has performed gigs around the country and produced inspired recordings both solo and with Colorado bands Mama Magnolia and Gold Leader.
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, weekly office hours and individual sessions with Thomas, monthly performances, and a final recording opportunity, 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
Placeholder (do not delete)
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:
- Confident knowledge of open chords
- Confidence demonstrating a pentatonic scale and a major scale on guitar
- Experience with tab reading
- Some sort of prior experience playing in time with other musicians
If any of these sound like you, you’ll likely be a good fit for Progressions:
- Intermediate players who have competed Swallow Hill’s Core Guitar program or have equivalent skills and experience
- Aspiring gigging, recording, and/or teaching musicians looking to record, release, and perform music, and/or lead a band
- Singer/songwriters looking to improve their guitar playing, jazz guitarists, musicians in cover or church bands, as well as those seeking an understanding of music theory
- Folks wanting to study music with a like-minded cohort of fellow guitar students
How skilled should I be on guitar to take this course?
How does the application and interview process work?
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.
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.