MARTIN TAYLOR GUITAR RETREAT
with Peppino D'Agostino and Alison Burns
January 18th-20th, 2019 - Benicia, California
Overview
Players of all levels and styles are welcome at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in sunny California, USA. Whether you’ve been playing for years, or you just know a couple of chords, you'll be able to immerse yourself in learning guitar at this three day guitar retreat with two of the world's leading acoustic guitarists; Martin Taylor and Peppino D'Agostino. 

From fingerstyle to acoustic to jazz and more, Martin and Peppino will give you insight into the techniques, styles, and tips to inspire and improve your playing. The retreat is designed to gather guitarists of all levels from around the globe with a common goal - learning, playing, eating and sleeping music.

This is the fifth Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat that has been held in California. Don’t miss this chance to spend a week-end in the Golden State of California, home of some of the world's best music. What could be better than a musical holiday where you really learn something and have a great time with like-minded people?

The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat will take place in Benicia in Northern California, just outside San Francisco on the 18th, 19th and 20th January 2019. NAMM Show, the world's premier music products trade show, happens the next week in Southern California, and is a great event to attend after the retreat finishes.

During the day you'll learn directly with Martin and Peppino and every evening you can sit back with a Californian wine or local handcrafted beer and take part in intimate, once-in-a-lifetime jam sessions. Just bring your guitar, get ready to learn, jam, make friends and have fun!
What Is The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat About?
The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreats are all about hands-on playing.  This retreat is about helping you achieve REAL RESULTS and having fun in the process.
Improved Technique
Improve your technique and gain a new level of confidence as a guitarist.
Multiple Styles
You'll be exposed to learning different styles and techniques to develop your guitar playing.
Inspiration
Spend three days getting inspiration, meeting, and jamming with guitarists from around the world. 
Guitar Exercises
You'll learn plenty of new exercises to continue to make progress in your playing.
Guitar Arrangements
You'll learn to take your ideas and craft them into a finished arrangement on the guitar.
Live Performances
Opportunity to perform onstage with Martin, Peppino and other retreat attendees.
WHAT'S INCLUDED

1.
All Workshops
Over 14 hours of guitar workshops with Martin Taylor and his guest teachers.
2.
Great Tasting Food
Join Martin and guitar players from around the world for two lunches and two dinners.
3.
Evening Jam Sessions
Pick up your guitar and take part in once in a lifetime jam sessions.
4.
Faculty Performances
Sit back and enjoy intimate performances from Martin Taylor and Peppino D'Agostino.
5.
Welcome Goodie Bag
Receive a welcome goodie bag when you arrive at the retreat.
6. 
Sunday Night Concert
Join Martin and Peppino onstage to play for a live audience (optional)
PLUS RECEIVE OVER $1,500 WORTH OF BONUSES UPON REGISTERING!

BONUS #1: HOME-STUDY RETREAT PREPARATION COURSE ($997 value)
You will also receive access to the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat home-study preparation course with video lessons covering some of the concepts and tunes you’ll be learning at the Retreat. This prep-course will help you gear up and get ready for the “Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat” by learning the chords and melody for tunes, and many of the other cool tips and lessons.
BONUS #2: AUDIO AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH OVER 40 LEADING GUITARISTS ($197 value)
Recorded as part of the Online Guitar Summit you will receive access to 40+ video and audio interviews with some of the world's finest living fingerstyle, jazz and acoustic guitarists. These in-depth interviews are with guitarists including Andy McKee, Tommy Emmanuel, Ulf Wakenius, Justin Sandercoe, John Knowles, Johnny Hiland, Peppino D'Agostino, Brian Gore, Clive Carroll, Richard Smith, Muriel Anderson, Frank Gambale, Scott Perry, Bill Piburn and Pat Bergeson amongst others. 
BONUS #3: CREATIVE PROCESS COURSE ($197 value)
You will also receive 40+ HD Video Lessons from James Taylor as he breaks down each of the five stages of the creative process to help you unlock your creative potential as a guitarist.
BONUS #4: ALISON BURNS' VOCAL COURSE ($197 value)
This online course will teach you how to improve the quality of your voice, warmup exercises and ways to look after your singing voice.
What They Say...
Martin Taylor's Guitar Retreats are legendary! To date over 130 guitarists have attended a Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat. Here's what one recent retreat student said:

"I’ve had a wonderful experience. Playing at home I found that it’s hard to find other players that are interested in fingerstyle or jazz. When I came here I found many people with similar interests. Martin showed us different ways of approaching accompaniment improvisation and we were able to jam with other students, we were able to play with them as well. As much as I enjoyed my time here I can’t wait to go home and try all the new material that I’ve learned here.”
- George Beasley, USA
“I’m having a great time here. The camaraderie is great. I’m getting to compare notes with all the other fine players. Being up close and personal with Peppino and Martin, and being able to get into a Q and A with them, and really work out questions that I’ve had, and it’s fabulous. It’s fun. It’s very laid back, and everybody is just so friendly and hospitable.”
- Kent Gunderson, USA
The Location
With a population of 28,000, Benicia is a small waterfront town in the Bay Area less than an hour from Oakland or San Francisco and twenty minutes from the Napa Valley. This charming hamlet gives visitors a chance to relax as they stroll the compact downtown's boutiques, antiques stores, and restaurants. This one-time state capital (1853-54) and location of the first Army post on the West Coast is dotted with historic sites and is a haven for the creative set — about 500 artists make Benicia their home.
YOUR RETREAT TEACHERS
MARTIN TAYLOR
Fingerstyle & Jazz Guitar

Martin Taylor is a Grammy nominated fingerstyle guitarist, solo jazz guitar virtuoso and online guitar teacher.  Pat Metheny says Martin Taylor is "one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument" while Jeff Beck thinks Taylor "out-shreds all of us put together….I’ve never seen anything like it".  As one of the world's most popular online guitar teachers and providers of guitar lessons online, Taylor now helps people in over 58 countries learn how to play guitar and become better guitarists.

He has collaborated with the biggest names in guitar music including Tommy Emmanuel, Jeff Beck, Chet Atkins, Frank Vignola, Barney Kessell, Earl Klugh, Herb Ellis, Scotty Moore, Julian Lage, Andreas Oberg, Albert Lee, Ulf Wakenius, Tony McManus, Martin Simpson and Laurence Juber.  In addition to this he has been awarded two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, an IAJE Jazz Educators award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and UK, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE 'For Services to Jazz Music' by the Queen of Great Britain. Today his online jazz guitar lessons and fingerstyle guitar videos have been watched by over 1 million guitarists worldwide.

PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO
Fingerstyle and Percussive Guitar

D'Agostino, a native of Italy, has been hailed as “a guitarist's guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as “a giant of the acoustic guitar” (San Diego Reader), and holds many top guitar awards - even his Peppino D'Agostino Seagull Signature Guitar model was ranked in June 2014 as one of the 10 best signature guitars by Guitar Player Magazine.

D’Agostino has performed in more than 31 countries; been featured at prestigious international music festivals, and frequently plays with prominent artists around the world, including Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor, and Eric Johnson. His 18 recordings include releases on Favored Nations, Mesa/Bluemoon, Acoustic Music Records, and other labels.

When not performing D’Agostino also enjoys teaching. He has made various teaching videos, has individual students, and through the years has been a guest instructor at various guitar programs such as Creative Vacances in La Moreau, France, Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp, Swannanoa Gathering, and Guitar Workshop Plus. Truefire, an online instruction company, has released two courses in which D’Agostino explains his influential guitar techniques and approach to composition. One thing is true – Peppino is always thinking guitar.

ALISON BURNS
Vocal Coach
Alison Burns is an award-winning singer and vocal coach who has performed and run singing workshops in the USA, Europe and Asia.

A lifelong love of music started at home, with an early education in the Great American Songbook from a father who played guitar and a mother who would carry the guitar case into his gigs! As a young girl in Dundee, an industrial city on the east coast of Scotland, the dreams were of singing and acting in Hollywood and the soundtrack was Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, and Bessie Smith among many others. 

Her debut album, Kissing Bug was received with universal acclaim and became the first album by a Scottish jazz singer to reach the Jazz Top 10. So far she has packed her bag to perform in far-flung destinations such as Tokyo, New York, Nashville, Cannes, Italy and Shanghai.

The International Association for Jazz Education has awarded her for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education and in 2013 she received the Brand Personality Award by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, previous recipients of this award include Aretha Franklin and Steve Jobs.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT MARTIN TAYLOR GUITAR RETREATS...
"It was a fabulous experience. My impressions were that Martin and the teaching staff were very very gracious, very talented certainly, and really ensured that every master class session was run well, the content was perfect for the class, the students themselves really became very close friends and almost family atmosphere after the first night.  I know that I learned a lot, I had a lot of aha moments. I have a lot of things to work on but without a doubt the time spent this week was not only enjoyable, something I remember all my life, but absolutely will improve my playing and my confidence in playing".
-Ted Clark (New Jersey, USA)
“This was my first guitar retreat for Martin Taylor and it was an awesome experience. I learned so much and everyone is just so open and shares all this info and totally approachable. I also take the online classes, I just started a couple of months ago and coming to this retreat has just really fulfilled and filled out a lot of information that I had a lot of questions for. Highly recommended and check it out.”


WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AT THE RETREAT

Improved technique and a new confidence as a guitarist
Plenty of exercises to continue to make progress in your playing
New tunes for your repertoire
Guitar skills to accompany yourself
Develop your improvisation and guitar arranging skills
How to unleash your creative potential as a guitarist and overcome blocks
Provisional Schedule

Friday 18th January 2019
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Students Arrive
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Opening Session: Welcome & Introductions
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Workshop I
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Open Mic

Saturday 19th January 2019
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop II
11:00 am - 12:30 pm Workshop  III
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Workshop IV
​3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm  Workshop V 
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Open Mic

Sunday 20th January 2019
9:30 am – 11:00 am Workshop VI
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Workshop VII
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Lunch
2:15 pm – 3:30 pm Workshop VIII
3:30pm - 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 5:30 Workshop IX
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Performance at Local Venue (optional)

NON-PARTICIPATING
PARTNER PACKAGE
BRING YOUR PARTNER
Why Not Bring Your Partner
If you would like to have your loved one join you at the retreat but not participate in workshops, we recommend this package. You both dine together with the group for all meals, and attend all evening concerts/jams together. During the days, while one of you is participating in workshops, your partner can enjoy the fun things to do in the Benicia area.

So here's how to register your partner. Firstly register yourself. Then come back to this page and click on the non-participating partner package button and make this week-end a get-away both of you can enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When does the retreat take place?

A. The retreat classes run from the Friday afternoon until Sunday evening.

Q. Where does the retreat take place?

A. The retreat classes will take place at Upstairs at First Street Cafe in downtown Benicia or The Guard House, a nearby venue. Upon registration you will receive a Fact Sheet with location information. Six weeks before the retreat you will receive the final retreat schedule.

Q. What is the cost?

A. The cost per participant is $1399 and $199 for non-participating partners.

Q. Can my partner attend even though they won't participate in the classes.

A. Absolutely, non-participating partners are very welcome and the price per non-participating partner is $199 which can be purchased at the link below. Partners may also sit in on a workshop session or two as long as there is adequate space in the room. See the button on this page to register your partner.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?

A. You can receive a full refund minus any credit card fees within the first 30 days of booking. Please consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected occurrences.

Q. What about accommodation?

A. Accommodations are not included in the price of your retreat ticket. Upon registration you will receive a Fact Sheet with links to nearby hotels/inns.  These include the Shorelight Inn Inn at Benicia BayUnion Hotel (all in the center of the small downtown area of Benicia and a five minute walk from each other) and the Heritage Inn and Holiday Inn Express which is a little further away. Call or go online to make your reservations for accommodations as soon as possible - there is limited availability at each location. It is your responsibility to make and attend to your lodging reservation. If you make a reservation with the front desk person, they will let you know if they provide a discount because you are attending the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat.  You can also check out AirBnB

Q. Who can I contact if I have other questions related to the retreat?

A. Please email dwapner@sbcglobal.net

Q. Can you accommodate those with dietary issues?

A. We are happy to cater for people with diet issues. Vegetarian, vegans and basic diet requirements are included in the price - just let us know at dwapner@sbcglobal.net

Q. Are the retreat venues suitable for those with mobility issues?

A. We are not able to accommodate anyone with severe mobility problems. Please get in touch with dwapner@sbcglobal.net to discuss your particular needs.

Q. How do I get there?

A. You can travel to Benicia either by air or road.

By air: Benicia is usually 45minutes from Oakland International Airport and an hour from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Public transportation to Benicia from the airports include: BART (to Pleasant Hill) - www.bart.gov - and Evans Airporter to Vallejo - www.evanstransportation.com. From BART taxi or Rideshare to Benicia.

 

The Premier Music Retreat Experiences
This will be our 12th Music Retreat in beautiful Benicia. P3 Music has also produced music and creativity retreats for Mike Marshall, Sergio Assad, David Wilcox & Peppino D'Agostino in the same location. Our Benicia team is focused on giving you the very best experience in which to learn guitar.

Other P3 Music retreats take place in London, New York, Italy, Scotland, France and Asia. We are honored to work with Martin Taylor for this retreat in California. We hope you decide to join us for three day days of eating, sleeping, learning and playing music.
TERMS POLICY | © 2018 MARTIN TAYLOR MUSIC LTD
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