Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't find the answer to your question here, please contact us.
Contact Information
Tel 1-212-924-2066
Efax 1-240-250-7108
Email info@acousticsessions.com
- How is a workshop different than learning from a video or book?
- What can I expect to learn from an Acoustic Sessions workshop?
- Do you recommend taking the same workshop more than once?
- Will I be able to get personal attention at a workshop?
- Is there an extra charge for private lessons during a residential workshop?
- How big are classes?
- Can I have a list of songs that will be taught in a class?
- What happens after class?
- What is the atmosphere like at a workshop?
- Can I have a refund if I have to cancel my reservation at a workshop?
- Are jazz/swing classes for advanced students only?
- What will I receive from Acoustic Sessions once I’ve registered for a workshop?
- Can I commute to a residential workshop?
- Can you recommend a hotel?
- What should I practice to prepare for a workshop?
- What level student are the workshops designed for?
- Is Acoustic Sessions an accredited school?
- Do Acoustic Sessions teachers offer private lessons?
- What is the difference between an Acoustic Sessions residential workshop and an International Guitar Seminars workshop?
- How hands-on are your workshops? Will I play during the workshop or is it lecture style?
- Can I audiotape record the class?
- What if I'm not able to keep up with a class?
- Are scholarships available?
- Do I have to know how to read music/tab to attend a workshop?
- I'm not sure if I'm good enough to attend. What are the minimum requirements?
1.How is a workshop different than learning from a video or book?
Although videos are effective learning tools, there is no substitute from learning hands on. A workshop allows students to interact with the teacher, get immediate feedback and pick up nuances such as tone and feel that are difficult to learn from a video or book. Additionally, a workshop is a chance to spend time playing with other musicians, which leads to improved timing and drills the music into your mind.
2.What can I expect to learn from an Acoustic Sessions workshop?
You can expect to not only learn repertoire but to learn an approach to playing music that you can apply to all of your playing. At Acoustic Sessions workshops students learn simple ways to approach music that will allow them to break out of ruts and find their own unique musical voice.
3.Do you recommend taking the same workshop more than once?
Yes. The purpose of a workshop is not just to take it once for the repertoire, but to practice the material until you know it well enough that you can add your own music to it.
4.Will I be able to get personal attention at a workshop?
At the evening and weekend workshops personally attention is given to students during class as is possible considering the size of the class. At residential workshops (ie - Amsterdam) students will have the opportunity to meet with teachers outside of class. Students are urged to seek extra help if they have difficulty with material taught during regular class time.
5.Is there an extra charge for private lessons during a residential workshop?
No.
Weekend workshops are generally limited to 15 students, evening classes in New York are limited to 12 students, residentual workshops are limted to approximately 12 students per teacher. (ie - the Amsterdam workshop has 3 teachers, therefore approximately 36 students.)
7.Can I have a list of songs that will be taught in a class?
Songs taught in a class depend to some extent on the overall level of the class. This makes it difficult to choose songs until a class begins.
Once you've taken a basics classes you will be ready to move on to more specialized workshops. Additionally, many of our students stay in touch with each other and occasionally get together for jam.
9.What is the atmosphere like at a workshop?
Non-competitive and friendly. First time students are sometimes worried that the atmosphere will be competitive and that they may not get the attention they would like if they are not advanced players. This is never the case at our workshops. Students of all levels receive the same amount of attention from staff. Additionally, the atmosphere usually leads to more advanced students helping beginners.
10.Can I have a refund if I have to cancel my reservation at a workshop?
Students may withdraw from a workshop up to 1 month prior to a workshop and only pay a small administrative fee. ($20 for non-residential workshops, $50 for residential). If you cancel within 1 month of the start of the workshop Acoustic Sessions keeps 20% of tuition. This amount can be applied to another workshop at a later date.
11.Are jazz/swing classes for advanced students only?
No. Although the word “jazz” tends to be associated with endless studies of scales and modes and chord formulas, the truth of the matter is that if you can play basic barre chords and can keep time, you should be able to play along with any jazz tune. Jazz/Swing workshops are accessible to students who can play basic chords (ie - Major 7, Minor 7, Dominant 7) up the neck of the guitar. . No knowledge of theory or scales is necessary. An Acoustic Sessions workshop is an excellent way to get started playing jazz.
12.What will I receive from Acoustic Sessions once I’ve registered for a workshop?
You will receive complete instructions on what to bring to the workshop, arrival and departure time, as well as address and complete directions to residential workshops.
13.Can I commute to a residential workshop? If so, what is the commuter rate for Amsterdam?
Yes. We give students who do not require accomodations a discount based on the price of room and meals. The commuter discount for Amsterdam is $150(US).
Yes. Please follow these links for hotel recommendations:
15.What should I practice to prepare for a workshop?
It isn’t necessary to practice anything specific before attending a workshop, however, if you would like something to work on, try the free on-line workshop at www.woodymann.com or an Acoustic Sessions video.
16.What level student are the workshops designed for?
We offer workshops designed for students ranging from near beginner to advanced. Residential workshops are always designed to include material for students of all levels.
17.Is Acoustic Sessions an accredited school?
No.
18.Do Acoustic Sessions teachers offer private lessons?
Both Woody Mann and Trevor Laurence occasionally teach privately in New York. You may email Woody or Trevor for details.
19.What is the difference between an Acoustic Sessions residential workshop (ie - Amsterdam) and an International Guitar Seminars workshop?
Acoustic Sessions residential workshops are smaller than International Guitar Seminars and less intensive. While International Guitar Seminars workshops have gained a reputation for being an intensive life changing week-long experience, Acoustic Sessions workshops are designed as relaxing 3-4 day vacations with lessons during the day and free time to relax with new friends in the evening.
The teaching is first rate at either. IGS focuses more on acoustic blues and slide guitar styles while Acoustic Sessions has a broader focus, including fingerstyle, jazz, and songwriting. IGS is an intensive program with 2 classes per day for five days (1.5 hour per class), late afternoon workshops, evening events (faculty concerts, faculty and student jam sessions, student concerts) and late night jamming, while Acoustic Sessions has a long class from 10AM -12 noon for three days and then workshops in the afternoon (similar to classes but with different topics each day). The only evening event will be a small unamplified concert for both students and staff on the last night. There will be playing in the evening as well but the schedule won't be structured as at IGS. Some students will stay around to jam with teachers, others might practice on their own, and some may spend the nights out on the town.
IGS typically has 70 students, and 6 main teachers, plus 3-4 additional teachers on staff for workshops and jamming. Acoustic Sessions residential workshops has 30 students, 3 main teachers, 2 additional.
IGS is a fantastic, intense week with a big focus on blues while Acoustic Sessions residential is a vacation with great guitar instructors and a schedule that allows you some time to relax.
20.How hands-on are your workshops? Will I play during the workshop or is it lecture style?
Acoustic Sessions workshops are practical, hands-on workshops. Students can I expect to spend a large part of their class time playing.
Yes. We recommend bringing either a tape recorder or mini-disk.
22.What if I'm not able to keep up with a class?
Students aren't expected to leave a class being able to play everything that was taught. The tape and class materials will provide enough material to allow you to continue practicing and learning on your own after the class has finished.
23.Are scholarships available?
Acoustic Sessions doesn't currently have scholarship funding available.
24.Do I have to know how to read music/tab to attend a workshop?
No. Music notation and tablature can be helpful learning tools but they are not required for our workshops. Unless otherwise noted in the class description, Acoustic Sessions workshops are taught by demonstration and by ear.
25.I'm not sure if I'm good enough to attend. What are the minimum requirements?
You should at least be able to switch between the first position chords comfortably. A little fingerpicking experience is recommended but not necessary for most classes. Please call or email with questions about the specifics of the workshop.
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