Perthshire, Scotland
November 8-10, 2019
November 8-10, 2019
Learn acoustic, fingerstyle and jazz guitar at this immersive three day retreat with Martin Taylor and Richard Smith.
Overview
Players of all levels and styles are welcome at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in historic Scotland. 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 Richard Smith.
From fingerstyle to acoustic to jazz and more, Martin Taylor will give you insight into the techniques, styles, and tips to inspire and improve your playing. Meanwhile award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith will be teaching different rhythm playing, arranging, false harmonics and ragtime. 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 third time a Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat has been held on the mainland of Scotland. Don’t miss this chance to spend a week-end in the heart of historic Scotland, a place of legends, golf courses, castles, stunning landscapes and fine whisky distilleries! What could be better than a musical holiday where you really learn something and have a great time with like-minded people?
The Retreat will take place in the heart of Scotland, around 90 minutes north-west of Edinburgh on November 8th, 9th and 10th, 2019.
During the day you'll learn directly with Martin and his guest teachers and every evening you can sit back with a fine malt whiskey or Scottish ale 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 Are The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreats About?
The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreats are all about hands-on playing. This retreat is about helping you FIND YOUR UNIQUE CREATIVE VOICE as a guitarist and having fun in the process.
Improved Technique
Improved technique and a new level of confidence as a guitarist.
Multiple Styles
You'll be exposed to different guitar styles to develop your guitar playing.
Inspiration
Spend three days getting inspiration and making new friends.
Guitar Exercises
You'll learn plenty of new exercises to continue to progress on the guitar.
Crafting Your Guitar Arrangements
During the Retreat you'll learn to take a song and craft your own unique arrangement of it.
Live Performances
Opportunity to perform onstage with Martin Taylor and your fellow creatives.
The Daily Schedule
Friday 8th November 2019
2:00 - 3:00 pm Students Arrive
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Retreat Welcome & Introductions
4:00 – 5:30 Opening Session
5:30 - 6:30 Workshop I
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Evening Jams
Saturday 9th November 2019
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop II
11:00 - 12:30 pm Workshop III
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 Workshop IV
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 - 5:30 pm Workshop V
7:00 - 8:30 pm Dinner
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Evening Jams
Sunday 10th November 2019
9:30 am – 11:00 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 - 4:00pm - Coffee Break
4:00 pm - 5:30 Workshop IX
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm End of Retreat Performance (optional)
* Detailed schedule to follow.
The Location - Scotland!
Picture Scotland and you will often think of ancient castles against a backdrop of dramatic hills and glens. Despite its small size, Scotland has many treasures crammed into its compact territory – big skies, breathtaking landscapes, spectacular wildlife, superb seafood and hospitable, down-to-earth people.
For many, autumn is the best time to visit Perthshire as the area is known as Big Tree Country. An excursion to nearby St. Andrews is a pilgrimage for golf aficionados and numerous castles polka-dot this part of Scotland. Its local products, customs, music, and traditional dress—from tartans and bagpipes to tweeds—travel all over the globe, but there's nothing like experiencing them firsthand. We look forward to welcoming you to Scotland!
For many, autumn is the best time to visit Perthshire as the area is known as Big Tree Country. An excursion to nearby St. Andrews is a pilgrimage for golf aficionados and numerous castles polka-dot this part of Scotland. Its local products, customs, music, and traditional dress—from tartans and bagpipes to tweeds—travel all over the globe, but there's nothing like experiencing them firsthand. We look forward to welcoming you to Scotland!
MEET YOUR RETREAT TEACHERS
MARTIN TAYLOR
Fingerstyle and Jazz Guitar
Grammy nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator and musical innovator whom Acoustic Guitar magazine calls ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’.
Widely considered to be the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz and fingerstyle guitar playing, Martin possesses an inimitable style that has earned him global acclaim from fellow musicians, fans and critics alike. He dazzles audiences with a signature style that artfully combines his virtuosity, emotion and humor with a strong, engaging stage presence.
Taylor has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, with more than 100 recordings to his credit. Completely self-taught beginning at the early age of 4, he has invented and developed a unique way of playing the guitar that is greatly admired, and often emulated, by guitarists all over the world.
In addition to his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genres, including: Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman, George Harrison, Jamie Cullum, Bryn Terfel, Dianne Schuur and Gary Burton.
He has been awarded two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE 'For Services to Jazz Music' by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.
As one of the world's most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times and is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
'Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He's unbelievable' - Pat Metheny
'He outshreds all of us put together....I've never seen anything like it' - Jeff Beck
"There is a touch of genius in his playing" - Classical Guitar Magazine
"No matter how complex or daring, Taylor's interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed, his remarkable fluid touch imbues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold."- The Washington Post
"Taylor is the finest British guitarist of his generation" - The Times of London
Widely considered to be the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz and fingerstyle guitar playing, Martin possesses an inimitable style that has earned him global acclaim from fellow musicians, fans and critics alike. He dazzles audiences with a signature style that artfully combines his virtuosity, emotion and humor with a strong, engaging stage presence.
Taylor has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, with more than 100 recordings to his credit. Completely self-taught beginning at the early age of 4, he has invented and developed a unique way of playing the guitar that is greatly admired, and often emulated, by guitarists all over the world.
In addition to his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genres, including: Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman, George Harrison, Jamie Cullum, Bryn Terfel, Dianne Schuur and Gary Burton.
He has been awarded two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE 'For Services to Jazz Music' by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.
As one of the world's most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school with its headquarters in Napa, CA has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times and is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
'Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He's unbelievable' - Pat Metheny
'He outshreds all of us put together....I've never seen anything like it' - Jeff Beck
"There is a touch of genius in his playing" - Classical Guitar Magazine
"No matter how complex or daring, Taylor's interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed, his remarkable fluid touch imbues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold."- The Washington Post
"Taylor is the finest British guitarist of his generation" - The Times of London
RICHARD SMITH
Fingerstyle Guitar
Having witnessed one of his live performances, fellow musicians and music lovers alike sing hymns of praise about world-renowned fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith. With fretboard fireworks and lyrical endeavours he will melt your heart-strings, make your toes tapping and your jaws hanging open. Richard's ever growing repertoire comprises a wide variety of music from classical Bach to Beatles pop. It includes Scott Joplin Rags just like Sousa marches, Chopin, Mozart and fiddle tunes. It ranges from jazz standards to Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed and to Django Rein-hardt gypsy swing, not to mention his intriguing originals. He delivers both, light-ning fast barn-burners and beautiful ballads, occasionally spiced with vocals.
Richard first met his hero, the “Godfather” of fingerstyle guitar, Chet Atkins, when he was only eleven. Richard was invited by Chet to share the stage with him at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in front of an audience of 1,000. At first, the master ac-companied him, but later on he just listened in stunned silence while the child played Chet’s own arrangements – perfectly. By the time Richard reached his early twenties, both Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed began to refer to him as their “Hero”.
Now residing in Nashville, Richard has toured the world as a solo artist, teaming up with his wife Julie Adams for a unique guitar and cello duo, performing with his brothers Rob and Sam as the Richard Smith Guitar Trio and with his swing band, The Hot Club of Nashville, featuring Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Pat Bergeson on guitar and Charlie Chadwick on bass. Fellow guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel prefers Richard Smith as one of his favourite duet partners. In 2001, Richard became the National Finger-style Guitar Champion in Winfield, Kansas. He was elected Thumbpicker of the Year in 2008 and inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in Kentucky in 2009. He is also a recipient of the Golden Thumbpick Award by the Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists in California.
Richard has been a mainstay at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville since 1991, where he has played with many world renowned artists inclu-ding Nato Lima of Los Indios Tabajaras, sax legend Boots Randolph and John Jor-genson of Desert Rose Band and Elton John Band fame. He has also performed with other great musicians such as Marcel Dadi, Tommy Tedesco, Thom Bresh, Joe Pass, Biréli Lagrène, Bryan Sutton, Les Paul, Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Martin Taylor, Jorge Morel, Suzy Bogguss, Muriel Anderson, Guy Van Duser, Béla Fleck, Victor Wooten, Tony McManus and Buster B. Jones and shared the bill with a host of others, most notably Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Paco Peña, Barney Kessel, Da-vid Russell and Johnny Hiland.
“The most amazing guy I know on the guitar. He can play anything I know, only better.” - Chet Atkins, CGP (music legend)
“If you like my playing, you should hear Richard Smith! The world champion!” - Tommy Emmanuel AM, CGP (two-time Grammy nominee)
Richard first met his hero, the “Godfather” of fingerstyle guitar, Chet Atkins, when he was only eleven. Richard was invited by Chet to share the stage with him at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London in front of an audience of 1,000. At first, the master ac-companied him, but later on he just listened in stunned silence while the child played Chet’s own arrangements – perfectly. By the time Richard reached his early twenties, both Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed began to refer to him as their “Hero”.
Now residing in Nashville, Richard has toured the world as a solo artist, teaming up with his wife Julie Adams for a unique guitar and cello duo, performing with his brothers Rob and Sam as the Richard Smith Guitar Trio and with his swing band, The Hot Club of Nashville, featuring Stuart Duncan on fiddle, Pat Bergeson on guitar and Charlie Chadwick on bass. Fellow guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel prefers Richard Smith as one of his favourite duet partners. In 2001, Richard became the National Finger-style Guitar Champion in Winfield, Kansas. He was elected Thumbpicker of the Year in 2008 and inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in Kentucky in 2009. He is also a recipient of the Golden Thumbpick Award by the Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists in California.
Richard has been a mainstay at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention in Nashville since 1991, where he has played with many world renowned artists inclu-ding Nato Lima of Los Indios Tabajaras, sax legend Boots Randolph and John Jor-genson of Desert Rose Band and Elton John Band fame. He has also performed with other great musicians such as Marcel Dadi, Tommy Tedesco, Thom Bresh, Joe Pass, Biréli Lagrène, Bryan Sutton, Les Paul, Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Martin Taylor, Jorge Morel, Suzy Bogguss, Muriel Anderson, Guy Van Duser, Béla Fleck, Victor Wooten, Tony McManus and Buster B. Jones and shared the bill with a host of others, most notably Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Paco Peña, Barney Kessel, Da-vid Russell and Johnny Hiland.
“The most amazing guy I know on the guitar. He can play anything I know, only better.” - Chet Atkins, CGP (music legend)
“If you like my playing, you should hear Richard Smith! The world champion!” - Tommy Emmanuel AM, CGP (two-time Grammy nominee)
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.
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 they say about the retreat experience.
Watch this video to learn what participants who attended the 2018 Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat students said about the experience.
Watch the video from guest teacher Richard Smith.
"One of the best guitar retreats I've ever attended."
What you will learn.
Watch this video to discover the kinds of things you'll learn at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT MARTIN TAYLOR GUITAR RETREATS...
Scotland
New York
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London
California
Italy
Accommodation
The Gold Package includes accommodation at The Lands of Loyal Country House Hotel. The Lands of Loyal is an impressive Victorian mansion built in the 1830's, commissioned by Sir William Ogilvy who on his return from Waterloo chose Loyal Hills the site for this magnificent home. This country house was transformed into a very prominent hotel in the heart of Scotland in 1945. The hall is modeled on one of the magnificent lounges from the famous steamship the Mauritania and has warmed, welcomed and comforted its guests in the same unique way as in the days of Sir William Ogilvy himself. Their highly acclaimed restaurant earned a deserving feature in the Michelin Guide and boasts an extensive a la carte menu offering traditional, yet imaginative food using local fish, game and produce. The hotel has has three dining rooms, two of which have open fires, providing glorious views and a unique ambiance for the retreat. There is also a wonderful whisky bar in the hotel and you'll be able to enjoy the evening jam sessions by the fire in the grand hall each night.
Pricing
Silver Package
$1499
SOLD OUT!!
- All Workshops (over 13hrs of instruction)
- Welcome goodie bag
- Sunday night performance (optional)
- 2 Lunches & 3 Dinners
- Evening jam sessions & instructor performances!
- Includes over $1,500 worth of bonuses
Gold Package
$1999
SOLD OUT!!
- All Workshops (over 13hrs of instruction)
- Welcome goodie bag
- Sunday night performance (optional)
- 2 Lunches & 3 Dinners
- Evening jam sessions and instructor performances!
- Includes over $1,500 worth of bonuses
- 3 Nights Accommodation with Breakfast at The Lands of Loyal
** BONUSES **
Bonus #1 ($997 Value)
Gold and Silver Package members will receive immediate access to the 'Guitar Mastery' online precourse (value $997).
This six week home-study online course will help you get the most from the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat. It includes over 40 HD videos on scales, melody playing, arranging for guitar, improvisation, performance technique and other areas that will be taught in more depth on the retreat. This online precourse is only available to Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat students.
This six week home-study online course will help you get the most from the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat. It includes over 40 HD videos on scales, melody playing, arranging for guitar, improvisation, performance technique and other areas that will be taught in more depth on the retreat. This online precourse is only available to Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat students.
Bonus #2 ($297 Value)
Gold and Silver Package members will receive access to a new ten-part online course from Martin Taylor. (value $297).
This ten part home-study online course will help you get the most from the walking bass workshop that Martin will be teaching. This online pre-course is only available to Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat students and students will be given online access in September.
This ten part home-study online course will help you get the most from the walking bass workshop that Martin will be teaching. This online pre-course is only available to Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat students and students will be given online access in September.
Bonus #3 ($297 Value)
Gold and Silver Package members will also receive access to Alison Burns' online course on vocal technique (value $297).
This online home-study course from vocal coach Alison Burns includes 14 HD videos on developing your voice and improving your singing.
This online home-study course from vocal coach Alison Burns includes 14 HD videos on developing your voice and improving your singing.
Bonus #4 ($197 Value)
Gold Package customers will receive access to the video and audio library from the Online Guitar Summit™ where Martin Taylor and James Taylor interview over 30 leading guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel, Clive Carroll, Ulf Wakenius, Andy McKee, Robin Nolan, John Knowles, Peppino D'Agostino, Richard Smith, Muriel Anderson, Frank Gambale, Pierre Bensusan, Justin Sandercoe, Pat Bergeson and many more.
Bonus #5 ($25 Value)
Gold and Silver Package members will receive a copy of Martin's new book 'Walking Bass for Jazz Guitar' (value $25).
Walking Bass for Jazz Guitar distils over 40 years of virtuosity and skill into one beautiful jazz guitar book. Learn from the internationally acclaimed master of jazz chord melody guitar as he teaches you, step-by-step, how to play walking basslines on guitar and combine them with rock solid rhythm guitar chords.
Walking Bass for Jazz Guitar distils over 40 years of virtuosity and skill into one beautiful jazz guitar book. Learn from the internationally acclaimed master of jazz chord melody guitar as he teaches you, step-by-step, how to play walking basslines on guitar and combine them with rock solid rhythm guitar chords.
NON-PARTICIPATING
PARTNER PACKAGE
CLICK TO REGISTER PARTNER PARTNER PACKAGE
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 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 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.
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 the Lands of Loyal Country House in Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland..
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 to cover the 2 lunches and 3 dinners and attendance at the jam sessions/performances is $350 and will be available when registration open.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. You can receive a full refund minus any credit card/hotel booking fees within the first 30 days of booking. Please consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected occurrences.
Q. What about accommodation?
A. The Gold Package includes accommodation on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. There are only 17 Gold Package places available. For Silver Package customers you will need to arrange your own accommodation in the area.
Q. Can I book extra nights of accommodation?
A. Yes. If you are a Gold Package customer you can contact the hotel directly to book extra nights.
Q. Who can I contact if I have other questions related to the retreat?
A. Please email support@p3music.com
Q. Can you accommodate those with specific dietary requirements?
A. We are happy to cater for people with dietary requirements. Vegetarian, vegans and basic diet requirements are included in the price. Please just contact support@p3music.com with details.
Q. Is the venue and accommodation suitable for those with mobility issues?
A. We are not able to accommodate anyone with severe mobility problems. Please get in touch with support@p3music.com to discuss your particular needs.
Q. How do I get there?
A. You can travel to Alyth either by air, road or rail.
By air: Alyth is 75 minutes from Edinburgh International Airport and 2hrs from Glasgow International Airport. Both of these airports have direct flights to UK regional airports and a number of airports in the USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
The nearest train stations are Dundee and Perth. There are bus services from both Dundee and Perth that will take you to Alyth. The Lands of Loyal is a 10minute walk from the bus stop.
Detailed driving directions will be emailed to you once you have confirmed your registration.
The Premier Music Retreat Experiences
This will be the third Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in mainland Scotland. James Taylor's C.SCHOOL™ also produces music and creativity retreats for Mike Marshall, David Wilcox & Peppino D'Agostino. Our Scotland team is focused on giving you the very best experience in which to learn guitar.
Other C.SCHOOL™ retreats take place in London, New York, Italy, France and Asia. We are honored to work with Martin Taylor for our first Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in Perthshire, Scotland. We hope you decided to join us for three day days of eating, sleeping, learning and playing guitar.
Other C.SCHOOL™ retreats take place in London, New York, Italy, France and Asia. We are honored to work with Martin Taylor for our first Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in Perthshire, Scotland. We hope you decided to join us for three day days of eating, sleeping, learning and playing guitar.
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