Creative Acoustic with Chris Woods (Groove)

June 4th – 6th 2025

Wednesday 12pm – Friday 12pm

Breathe new life into your acoustic guitar playing whatever level you are at. In this enlightening course, tutor Chris Woods (Chris Woods Groove Orchestra) will be offering inspiration in bucket loads! Teaching a huge range of fresh approaches, techniques and ideas for us all to use in our own unique way. With different skills tailored to suit all abilities Chris employs musical ideas that are inspiring to advanced players and beginners alike. The many different ideas and approaches are designed to breathe new life into your playing and unlock your creativity. Chris will be visiting everything from playing by ear to usable music theory, rhythm techniques to percussive fingerstyle, using a loop station and improvising with others. Expect to finish the course with a host of exciting new ideas and abilities to add to your playing and practise. This course will help you whether you are in a creative rut and want to get out of it, or your already feeling inspired and want to explore new areas of acoustic playing. This retreat will fuel your creativity and make picking up your guitar an exciting adventure every time!

Explore rhythms from around the world
Percussive techniques
Altered Tunings
Using a loop station (with BOSS loop stations to try out)
Creative strumming patterns/grooves
Creative finger picking
Harmonics/ tapping/ slapping/ special effects
Unique time signatures
Modes explained and simplified
Creating melodies
Improvising/ear playing
Composing/arranging

THE TEACHERS:

A Guitar explorer and innovative collaborator. Chris Woods, recording as ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’, uses every inch of the guitar to create an inspirational sound in a diverse mix of lineups. Chris’ work has been described by one reviewer as ‘changing the perceived boundaries of the acoustic guitar’

From pop-up guitar orchestras comprised of people who have never met, to working with interactive live electronics. From collaborations with Indian classical virtuosos, or jazz, pop and rock musicians to the simplicity of solo acoustic guitar – the sounds he creates are always unique. Most recently his solo show ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’ billed as a ‘one man show of epic proportions’ won the best instrumentalist at The Buxton Fringe. Aside form all this Chris describes himself as a musical educator and is at his most happy teaching other to make music and explore their own creativity. With his exuberant personality and an engaging teaching style, you cant help but be lead to learn in his company.

VENUE:

Chiseldon House is an award winning country house hotel set in the stunning Marlborough Downs in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. A grade II listed building with the perfect blend of upmarket style and comfort, a first class restaurant, beautifully appointed rooms and facilities, all set in the privacy of elegant and relaxing gardens. Its a great addition to our collection of unique and inspiring venues.

Creative Acoustic with Chris Woods (Groove)

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