THE MUSIC PRACTICE PTY LTD

Most people have at some time had their hands on a guitar. Some people managed to pluck out ‘House of the rising Sun’ before they gave it up, others took to it and found their way around most of their favourite songs. Still others now travel the world either in rock groups, or jazz ensembles and the rare few as solo classical performers.

The Music Practice recognises the versatility of the guitar and we offer courses for people at every level in classical, jazz and blues guitar. And since guitarists often want to play in groups we are able to offer opportunities to play in every style including Chamber Music, Jazz, Blues and Folk. Once you’ve mastered the basics you might want to learn how to write your own music and play your favourite popular songs.

Beginner Guitar
This course will introduce you to the basic playing techniques of the contemporary guitar that will enable you to play simple popular melodies, chords and tunes. By the end of the course you will be able to tune your guitar, read and play melodies on the natural notes and in first position, strum and perform easy arrangements of standard tunes, play basic scales and basic rhythm and pitch patterns from notation.

Advanced Guitar
For those with more experience the courses will carry on from where you left off honing your reading and playing skills. This might have been a long time ago, so you will need to contact The Music Practice and talk to Gillian so that we can place you in a group with people of a similar level. Call on 9211 7055 or email on musprac@idx.com.au.

Blues Guitar – Beginner, intermediate and advanced.
You’ll need a little bit of experience to enrol in Blues Guitar. We prefer those who have a working knowledge of major and minor chords, can strum a simple tune or two and have an appreciation of the blues style. Our course will improve your playing skills to enable you to play a variety of classic blues tunes and to improvise with an authentic and informed blues attitude. After ten weeks you should be able to accompany other instruments in a small ensemble, identify by ear a number of common blues variations, styles and approaches and read simple blues melodies from notation and chord charts.

More to do …
Once you’ve honed your skills a little you’ll want to get down to the serious business of ‘jamming’ with a group or perfecting your favourite songs with just you and your guitar, or maybe writing your own – then check out All That Jazz.

Tutor
Steve Grieve B.A (ANU)
Steve has worked as a professional musician and music educator for the past fifteen years. In that time has Steve has played with a number of Australian and international artists. He has toured and performed with international blues acts that include the legendary Jimmy Witherspoon, Elvin Bishop and Norton Buffalo. Australian artists, including Grace Knight, Shauna Jensen and Brian Cadd, have embellished their sound with Steve’s renowned guitar finesse and musicality. He has privately tutored guitar students for many years and spent three years teaching guitar and ensemble at Southern Cross University’s Department of Contemporary Music. Steve currently teaches electric and contemporary guitar at Sydney Grammar School and regularly performs with Margaret Urlich and his own band The Mourners.