Essential Guitar Skills

Program Overview

This 3-month acoustic guitar program offers a comprehensive foundation in guitar techniques, music theory, and playing styles. Led by renowned musicians, the program provides small class sizes, access to equipment, and exclusive masterclasses, preparing students for a range of music careers, including performing, recording, and teaching. No prior experience is required.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Duration: 3 Months
• Available Start Dates:
• 2024: July 8, September 30, January 13, April 14, July 14
• 2025
• Weekly Timetable: One 2-hour class each week for 10 weeks.
Daytime, evening, & weekend slots open.
• Modules:
• Musicianship Fundamentals:
• Guitar Techniques
• Open Chord Shapes
• Fretboard Mastery
• 12-Bar Blues:
• Basic Music Theory
• Barre Chords
• Power Chords
• Major & Minor Keys:
• Strumming Patterns & Rhythm
• Reading & Writing Chord Progressions
• Intro to Lead Guitar

Teaching:

• Faculty:
• Jaron Lopez:
Multi-instrumentalist composer on guitar, bass, keyboard, and electronics who works in an electro jazz fusion style. Studied at Berklee, U of Maryland, & U of North Texas.
• Linda Good: Composer, songwriter, producer, who co-founded alternative pop band The Twigs.
Multi-instrumentalist on keyboard, voice, guitar, bass, uke, and perc.
• Nathaniel Nutter: Writes and produces under the name Savah and Lost Triibe, and has performed music for over 10 years.
Has accrued millions of streams on his independent releases on Spotify and has over 5 years of music teaching experience.
• Marko DeSantis: Lead guitarist and co-songwriter for Sugarcult, who hit the Top 40 Billboard charts three times and sold 1M+ units worldwide.
• Chloe O'Brien: AKA Neia Jane, an alternative rock/pop singer, songwriter, and producer and graduate of Berklee College of Music.
• Daniel Brummel: Multi-instrumentalist producer, recorded & toured with Weezer, Nada Surf, Spain, Ozma, Sanglorians, and more.
• Class Size: Small class sizes of 16 students or less.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Musician
• Acoustic Guitarist
• Touring Guitarist
• Studio Guitarist
• Band Member
• Music Performer
• Recording Artist
• Guitar Teacher
• Rock Guitarist

Other:

• Global Alumni Community: Includes PB London graduate Leona Lewis.
• Exclusive Masterclasses: From Mark de Clive-Lowe, Laura Escude (Jay Z, Kanye West), Daddy Kev (Low End Theory) and Jimmy Mac (Lorde).
• Admissions Advisors: Support students through the enrollment process.
• Partner Discounts & Exclusive Features: Offered to students in the LA School.
• No Previous Experience Required:
• Access to Equipment: Every student has access to their own fully-equipped workstation in class and during practical studio work.
• Student Discounts: Available on equipment from industry partners including Apple, Ableton, Pioneer, Native Instruments, Serato, Izotope, Waves, and more.