Free Guitar Workshops

Guitar Classes

Music Theory on the Fretboard

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 7:00 to 7:45 PM

This free introductory workshop opens the door to exploring music theory on the guitar fretboard. A six week course follows covering notes up the fretboard on each string, keys, intervals, modes, and chord construction.

Rise Above Reliance on TAB!
Learn to Read Music by Studying Classical Guitar Technique

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 7:45 to 8:30 PM

Guitarists are often good at reading TAB, but poor at reading sheet music. This class gets students started learning to read standard music notation, while at the same time introducing foundational classical guitar technique that can be applied to other styles of playing. Students learn simple etudes and classical pieces that are great for boosting fingerstyle skills while actually bringing fun to learning to read music!

Cloverdale Arts Alliance, 204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425. Introductory workshops: FREE. Ongoing classes: $150 for six more weeks. Sign up: info@cloverdaleartsalliance.org. Online versions sign up: info@ancient-future.com.

Matthew Montfort Bio

Guitarist Matthew Montfort is known as a world guitar innovator and an inspiring music instructor who helps students of all levels and ages learn whatever style they desire. He is on the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists list at DigitalDreamDoor.com along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He is the leader of the world music group Ancient Future and performs on many instruments, including scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar 11 string fretless guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, flamenco guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan.

Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used at many music schools including the Berklee College of Music. Matthew Montfort was on the faculty of the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco for three decades where he taught rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical guitar, music theory, and world music. He teaches all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, charango, sitar, and mandolin as well as music theory for all instruments and rhythm classes based on his book.