Category Archives: Melbourne Music School

Guitar learning in school environment. Group lessons

Melbourne Music School, Melbourne things to do

Creative Guitar School Concert September 22

On September 22, 2018,  we celebrated our 8th Creative Guitar School Concert.

Congratulations

I must say thank you, to all guitar students that participated and shared with the audience, their love of music and guitar at our Creative Guitar School Concert. It was wonderful to hear so much hard work come to life, with music that touched all our hearts.

I am looking forward to our next concert, and to hear your progress and compositions. Definitel,  I am eager to join your journey, to self discovery, through music and the guitar.

Join us at our next concert, sign up for a interview and learn more about music yourself and playing with others

Concert Objectives

The objective of all Guitar Courses, at our music school,  is for students to interact in group settings, to develop melody, accompaniment and spontaneous compositions, which is referred to as improvisation.

In all courses, we learn to understood the skeleton of a song, and the skills required to create variations in the melody, background and accompaniment. Students play solo, in duos, trios and quartets; we play jazz, pop, funk, flamenco and blues styles.

We understand how songs can be played in different styles as we learn to modify melody and accompaniment, with the appropriate chord scale relationship.

And we have a lot of fun, as we create on the go. This feels good.

Guitar School Concert Group photo


Every 10 weeks a Creative Guitar School Concert

Guitar courses last for 10 weeks. As a result, at the end of the course, we all get together, have a nice lunch and celebrate a two hour Creative Guitar School concert, at a public venue.

Guitar School Concert

At the concert, we have performances of present and past guitar students, on electric, nylon and steel strings guitars. The variety of styles performed , reflect common contemporary urban musical expression as Blues guitar, Jazz guitar, Funk, Rock and Flamenco ( Spanish Urban ) 

Live showcase of compositions

As part of the guitar course requirements, all students must compose a song. A composition would be similar to an essay in a written language. This essay is proof of understanding, of the topic, the students has learnt.

Not only will you develop, a deeper understanding of the musical knowledge, when you compose, but,  you will also learn to explain to others how to play your composition. There fore, all students must learn to use the appropriate language to explain the actions; all students must learn to read and write.

Fun and Practice 

This is all great fun, since while you are learning you can hear immediate results of your progress, at our concerts.

But to really enjoy yourself , you are required to practice daily, to develop aural, rhythmic and performance skills, to help you develop further your creativity. These will not come naturally but only through constant practice.

For example: You will not be able to play a song if you cannot hum the melody. If you cannot hum or sing, what you wish to play, you will spend many hours finding your way through the guitar, with the uttermost frustration.

You must sync all movements to a pulse, the beat. Therefore you must practice with this objective, always in mind

Creativity and Well being 

At the Creative Guitar School you will learn the underlining skills required to play songs, develop them and be expressive in your task.  Creativity is the tool of our expression. The final consequence is that you will feel good about your playing,

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Join us at our next Guitar School concert, sign up for a interview and learn more about music yourself and playing with others  



Melbourne Music School

New Group Guitar Courses

New Group Guitar Courses

I have scheduled upcoming guitar courses to start this week; July 16. There are no spaces left for the present course . However, the school has scheduled new level 3 and 2 courses, to commence the week of July 23. on Mondays at 6pm and 8pm .

Please sign up to our newsletter for updates on courses times and The Creative Guitar Social Club activities.

Upcoming School Concert

I have scheduled out next school concert for September 23.  The Creative Guitar School Social Club will hold the concert at the Armadale Uniting Church. Please refer to our social club Facebook pages for all updates on these events.

If you wish to attend my major Melbourne concerts: Thomas lorenzo please follow this link to read about upcoming concerts,  past concert reviews, articles: read about and listen to all my latest releases, available on iTunes or Spotify.

Advanced Guitar Groups

I am calling out to all guitar students who wish to be part of our guitar ensembles. The new ensembles will interpret arranged tracks of pop standards.

All students will learn to define melodic roles as soloists or accompanists.  All accompanists will experience the pleasure of developing melodic accompaniment. The will also learn to present a given composition in an improvised manner. They will  create melodic variations that will maintain the attention of the listener throughout  their performance.  We will record  all tracks live and share them  on our social networks.

This is a unique  opportunity to further develop your musical skills and to participate in a challenging musical experience.

The ensemble will perform live on September 23 at the Creative Guitar School Concert.

Group requirements

I would like to insist that all students  organise a periodic study routine . This will allow you to keep up with your fellow group  members and further enjoy the beauty of guitar and music.

All courses and electives are offered in private or group guitar lessons. Groups vary in size from 3 to 5 students.Group learning can be more stimulating at less advanced levels. Contemporary music is a social experience. Music is about sharing emotions.The group learning will expose the student to a more natural learning environment.

Private instruction is more intense and more efficient for advanced learning.

group guitar lessonsConditions
Before accepting any student into my program an interview is scheduled. If a student wishes to learn in a group environment I then match their skills with others and propose a group that I feel they will get along together and make the best of the 10 week courses.

In summary:group guitar lessons and courses simulate the real life working environment of music. Private instruction concentrates more on individual performance skills.

All students learn the same in all levels and courses no matter what option is taken.

Please call me and schedule an interview to learn about your skills and creative potential. Shine be Unique. The Creative Guitar School. Melbourne Eastern suburbs.

When to join a group?

Groups open up every three weeks. Students skills are matched in order to create the most efficient learning environment. This process requires time. If you wish to join a group please contact us at least 5 weeks in advanced. If your choice of group is not available we will put you on a waiting list .

An example of a popular course.

Prices.

All group lessons, courses are prices at 315 dollars for a 10 week course paid in advanced.

What happens if you cannot attend a class ?

All group classes are recorded on video for personal use by group members. Students have access to the video through the group virtual folder( drop box) in order to make up the missed class.

 Group Guitar Lessons Timetable

Groups meet on weekday evenings between and 5 and  9 pm.

Note: Please try to book well in advance ,as this method of learning is very in demand during the evening timetable.

Melbourne Music School

Creative Guitar School Concert

Creative Guitar School Concert

It was such a delight to gather the Creative Guitar Social Club and bring all their music to life at our last concert held on July 8, at the Armadale Uniting Church.

Creative Guitar School Concert

We had 8 ensembles performing original songs and arrangements from Jimi Hendrix , Nirvana , George Michael, Ed Sheeran and many more.

Creative Guitar School Concert Group

At the Melbourne Creative Guitar School,  my main goal is to establish a pathway for students to quickly be able to perform live, no matter what level they are at.

Music is about sharing feelings with others. Our school sets the right environment, for all to share their music with others . We gather to bring joy to our lives by playing music together.

Guidelines

All students that perform at the School concerts must be enrolled in courses. Private students can attend already established ensembles, and I also always make the right effort to match musicians together, so as to maximise the learning experience.

I must insist that the real work of playing together is done outside class hours; therefore students gather in their free time to rehearse together; to get the songs working right for the live performances.

All courses and levels that I teach at my Melbourne Creative Guitar school, I design to find the balance between knowledge and creativity.  Students must learn to read, write; they must understand harmony in a manner where they can compose, they must be able to improvise and develop with emotion, melodies and  accompaniment.

Upcoming Courses

I have scheduled all new courses to start on the week on July 17. We have 4 slots left for level two on Mondays at 6pm. 1 slot left for level 1 on Tuesdays at 6pm. 2 slots left for level 2 on Wednesdays at 6pm.

Please send me an email to learn more about all our guitar courses levels and prices .

 

Melbourne Music School, Melbourne things to do

Upcoming Jazz Blues Flamenco Masterclass

Upcoming Jazz Blues Flamenco Masterclass

 

masterclass2

Dates: November 2017.

Read more.

Where & When?

6 masterclasses to be held at the newly renovated Kathleen Syme Library in Carlton (Multi-purpose Room 2) 251 Faraday St, Carlton VIC. FREE street parking is available in the area after 6:30 pm and the nearest paid parking is at 217 Elgin St Carlton (for $8). If you are traveling by public transport, catch the University tram and get off at Melbourne Uni.

 

Online Bookings

Private lessons, group  lessons, and all courses develop on topics lectured at these masterclasses.

The masterclasses are not intended to teach you how to play the guitar, but to create a thorough exposition of what you have to learn, why and how, in order to achieve the desired sound, level of expression or uniqueness.

Guitar learning is a discipline associated with drills and repetition. There is no other way of learning such and this requires time, patience and love. The masterclasses are geared towards guitar students will  strong self learning skills. The Creative guitar school is where all music comes to life through social interaction. Private lessons or group lessons target developing that knowledge, that is explained at the masterclasses, into your individual musical expression.



Learn more about the Jazz Blues Flamenco masterclasses

 

 

 

 

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Guitar Courses starting May 4

Melbourne Guitar Courses starting May 4

I have scheduled to start all Melbourne guitar courses on May 4.  At present, there is availability left for the following guitar group courses; all groups have 4 students, students that study privately, may by appointment, attend any group class.

 Guitar Level 1

  • One slot, Mondays at 6pm
  • Another slot left,  Tuesdays 6pm
  • One slot, Wednesdays 6pm

Creative Guitar Level 2

  • One slo,t Wednesdays 7 pm

Creative Guitar Level 3

  • One slot, Thursdays 7pm

I require al new students to undergo a short interview, so I may asses their skills for all Melbourne Guitar Courses starting May 4. I always like to  understand not only what a student knows, but also how they learn music, in the most effective manner. Some times, we tend to be more receptive to visual than aural cues.

Music learning will always require strong music recognition skills; students must also constantly develop performance skills, that will allow them to develop melodic and rhythmic variations of the composition, they choose to perform.

Melbourne Guitar Courses starting May 4

Music is fun

I like to play music because I enjoy myself and I am also able to share this enjoyment with others. I like to share with my students the general need of giving and receiving in life. We tend to enjoy music much more when we are able to give something we create, and perform it to others, as if it was a true gift that will be received with love; as a consequence, anxiety and other emotions that might impede this flow, disappear.

Upcoming Melbourne Concerts

I will be commencing my yearly series of Melbourne Concerts, this coming June. I will be producing the majority of the concerts, at the Armadale Uniting Church; showcasing prominent Australian World Music artists.

Flamenco Guitars for Sale

Please book an appointment to check out my collection of, flamenco guitars for sale, that I have in Melbourne. I personally have hand picked all theses guitars over the years; based upon the fact that when I come across a rare guitar that projects its spectrum, in a balanced manner, I  buy it.

Libros de Musica.

My book, “ libros de música,  el Arreglo, un Puzzle de Expresión Musical, “ will be featured for sale at the Feria del Libro, San Jordi, Libreria Bosch, on April 23, in Barcelona, Spain, 2017.

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club

Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club

I am thrilled to share an exciting news. Our Student Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club is now up and running. I could only dream of being part of something like this when I first started my guitar journey.

Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club recital

Last weekend d we had our first big social gathering with over 50 attendees, a huge variety of world cuisines and our marvellous Melbourne Concert at the Melbourne University  Hall.

Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club barbecue

Today, as I also reflect on my concert at the Paris Cat last Wednesday , with Ben on the Bass, I realise how much joy I get out of playing with someone else. When people sharing the same passion come together, something magical happens. This is a feeling I cannot describe in words. That’s why I want you all to experience it, no matter what your level is.

We often put aside the joy we can have now, thinking we will have more fun later when we can play better. I have been playing long enough to know that the future, as we foresee it, just never comes around. Today is where all good emotions reside. We talk about skill levels when there is something to measure. But when music is being created, the lines between levels fades away, giving way to pure joy. This is why I want you to be part of this, to experience it for yourself.

Please use the below links to get access to the Melbourne Creative Guitar social media pages. Like and follow the Social Club Facebook page and Instagram account, so you can actively participate in the club.

Melbourne Creative Guitar Social Club trio

Melbourne Creative guitar social club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/guitar.clubinfo/ o ignored

Instagram (creativeguitar.club): https://www.instagram.com/creativeguitar.club/?hl=en o ignored

Melbourne Social club email: guitar.clubinfo@gmail.com o ignored

The Melbourne  Creative Guitar Social Club is a place for you to have a say, share tunes you play. So have it…have it your way! o ignored

I look forward to listen to your stories, sharing this wonderful experience!

 

Libros de Música

It is very important to have a set of hand tools to allow you to expand on the emotional impact of all our compositions. My book, Libros de Musica, El Arreglo un Puzzle de Expresión Musical ( in the Spanish language for now), focuses on developing your creative output.

Melbourne Flamenco Guitars for Sale

Please follow the Melbourne Flamenco Guitars for Sale for updates on  arrivals from Spain that I have  on sale.

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Sydney Group Guitar Lessons

Melbourne Sydney Group  Guitar  Lessons

Melbourne Sydney Group Guitar Lessons

I offer a warm welcome to all the new students that have taken up,  or are continuing their learning in music. Welcome to our Melbourne Sydney Group  Guitar  Lessons.

Guitar Courses have just started, but new guitar groups will be scheduled for the next period of lessons starting April 2017.

I encourage students to get together outside classroom hours and prepare repertoire for our live performances.  If you have not received the invitation by email, to sign up for these new groups, and wish to perform with fellow students,  please send me a quick email so I may hook you up with the appropriate musical partner.

Guitar course drop box

I require all students to have a drop box account.  We record all classes on video, so  students can revise the content at their own leisure. You may access the  videos through the specific drop box folder assigned to your group.

Creativity and well being

The objective of all courses is to allow students to develop their inner creativity and expression through the guitar. However, music is a discipline that requires daily work so that course goals may be accomplished. All students are required to practice at least 30 minutes a day.

Upcoming concerts

I would like to announce my upcoming Melbourne  concert  at the Paris Cat Jazz Club , March 8 at 8 pm.   I will have the pleasure of performing alongside Ben Robertson on bass. Please join us for an evening of creative expression , celebrating music from the heart.

Flamenco Jazz Guitar Releases

Take a peak at my latest releases, originals and arrangements,  for guitars . I will completing my 12 single release of this series this year.

Libros de Música. El Arreglo, un Puzzle expresión musical. 

My book on arranging and Orchestration specialises in getting big sounds out of small ensembles. It is in the Spanish language only ( at present). You may purchase online through Amazon .

Melbourne Music School

New 2017 Guitar Courses

New 2017 Guitar Courses

New courses will be starting on January 17th. The 7pm slot if full at present. The 8 pm slot has two spots left and the 6 pm class has one left. Please hurry and sign up as I fill up the guitar classes on first serve, first come basis.

I have scheduled all group courses on weekday evenings between 6 and 9. Students that wish to join us, must first undertake a short interview,  to learn about the course and to commit, in advance, to the workload each course requires.

New 2017 Guitar Courses

Group Lessons

Group lessons can be very rewarding as we benefit from the learning process of our fellow musicians. However, we must commit to daily practice, to help move the group move forward efficiently, and therefore finish the course program, as detailed in the guitar levels link. 

My objective as a teacher, is to help you achieve your goals, in music, with the guitar. Music learning requires discipline. This discipline will soon unleash your creative side and definitely open the door to satisfaction and well being in your life.

Please hurry and join us. Send an email to: info@thomaslorenzo.com.au or give me a call on: 0448348701

Hacked site

It seems that my site was hacked.  Users were directed readers to non exisiting pages. I have fixed this issue, but the warning that google gives out, will still be there for a few days yet.

Melbourne Sydney Guitar Concerts

I would love to have you all at my Melbourne and Sydney Concerts. Please follow the above link to keep updated on all events.

I believe music is a powerful language that brings together sensitive natures. In my concerts I tend to recreate unique feelings and I must applaud all those who join me in the adventure, and share with me this wonderful journey of life .

Libros de Musica: Arreglo y Orquestación

Please download all examples of my text book on arranging and orchestration through this link.  I have created zip files that compress all 300 music examples.

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar Lessons

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar Lessons

I am pleased to announce my new original flamenco jazz guitar release: Triste.

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar Lessons

It is an instrumental guitar composition that reflects on sadness.  The objective of all music is expression. My objective as a musician is to express: to deliver the expression in an understandable manner to the audience, so I may have the joy of a smile.

All students at my creative guitar school are immersed in music with this objective in mind: self expression.  Our daily lives may be rich and full of joy, but all our imperfections are thoroughly hidden. These imperfection are our real beauty. We should  bring them out in our music. They will be  rejoiced by us and the listener.

Guitar training and learning can be a very rewarding experience but it requires hard work. All courses  related to Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar Lessons are designed to help the student find self expression, and all these guitar courses require constant dedication. Your reward for dedication will definitely be that of joy .

Please take a peak at my new guitar track .

Nylon strings more lyrical

As a guitar student, you may choose to play electric, steel string or nylon string. In this recording I choose the nylon string  guitar because of the character of the instrument.  A nylon string guitar sounds great if played on its own. Electric guitars sound great when played in an ensemble.

I tend to choose the electric guitar when I wish my melodies to sing more, as the electric guitar has great sustain ( the notes last longer).  The Spanish, or nylon string guitar, produces notes that last less and there fore we have to play more times the melody note, to have it come out in a lyrical manner.  I would recommend to choose the guitar you feel best playing with.

Students at my creative guitar school learn to play the guitar. The style which you choose, is a latter consequence.

If you would like to keep updated on all my Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School news, please sign up to my newsletter.

More news Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar Lessons

However, if you wish to check on all 2017 Concerts coming up in Australia and overseas, be sure to visit my Melbourne Sydney Concerts web site.

I have had a few emails asking about where to find  the musical examples for my book on Orchestration and Arranging: Libros de Música:  El Arreglo un Puzzle de Expresión Musical. Please follow the link to download over 100 examples.

I have just sold a two of my handpicked flamenco guitars. There is one left: Eduardo Duran 2011. A hand crafted  flamenco guitar for sale from Granada, Spain. It is a must for all serious guitarists to have. An absolute high end reward.

 

Thomas Lorenzo

Melbourne Music School, Press Releases

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School 2017

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School 2017

Methods of learning.

I believe the objective of any learning method, is that to allow you, as a  student,  to feel good about your playing.

What do you love about music?

Personally, I  love how it makes me feel, how it awakens those feelings that give meaning to life.  I love the intensity it can provoke, the flow of emotion and rhythm.  Whenever I play the guitar, I want to evoke this constant rhythm and flow of varied emotion.

 

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School 2017

Would you like to join me on this journey?

Feeling good is based upon playing music in relation to a rhythm; a carrier wave for our portrait of melodic and harmonic emotion.  Music learning should focus on these goals at all stages.

Do you believe an endless repetition of a written musical piece, that tells us excatly what to do, will make us feel this way?

Do you think a composer, that breathes freedom in his thoughts as the only way to create, will play his composition in the same manner, every time he plays it ?

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School 2017: 9 spots left

Discover your inner creative side and develop such through guitar learning. Please take a peak at my website and join us in our next round of guitar courses for the year 2017. Classes are starting on the week of January 5th. There are 5 spots left for levels one and two. There are 4 spots left for individual advanced students.

Flamenco Jazz New Release

Please listen and enjoy all my New Flamenco and Jazz guitar 2017 and 2016 new releases. Follow this link for preview of all tracks .

Melbourne Concerts 2017

I have just finalised my last concert of the year 2017,  in Melbourne, but there are more to come. Every year I produce a a series of 6 Melbourne concerts, dedicated to the guitar in different styles, and in collaboration with major Australian artists. Please take a peak at all upcoming 2017 Melbourne Concerts.

Flamenco Guitars for Sale.

I still have available the unique hand made Eduardo Duran 2011, valued at 7000 dollars.  I have already sold my other two hand picked artisan guitars, Ramirez 1962 and Conde 2002. Every year I travel back home to Spain and handpick two of the best guitars I can lay my hands on. I try all brands and price ranges and only select the best of the best.

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School

Cycle of fourths in your learning

The cycle of fourths, or fifths, divides all temperate tuned musical notes, in constant proportions of intervals. This is the cycle of fourths or fifths. The notes align in a manner,  that may allow us to classify a relationship of ionian scales.

Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School

I would like to ask you to fill in the number of sharps or flats. considering that the note you choose  is the tonal centre of an Ionian mode scale.

Can you identify a pattern in increments of sharps and flats?

Harmonic movement

I believe that the classification of what music is, in the written language, is subjective and relative to what the musician has played, and where he lives. Furthermore in our Western Society, we may feel that a cadence of chords,  where chords are ordered in fourths, creates forward movement as opposed to a chord progression in cycle of fifths.

Knowledge and music 

All my students, at my Melbourne Sydney Creative Guitar School, will always learn to create music based upon the feeling they wish to portray.  They use music theory as a method of understanding the bigger picture.

Upcoming Melbourne Concerts

Please follow this link to view and purchase tickets for my upcoming Melbourne Concerts.

I am very proud to announce my next major concert  on November 25 at 8 pm, at the Armadale Uniting Church. I will have as special guests: Angel Mellado on vocals interpreting Flamenco Fandangos and Alegrias, and Bernardo Soler on Guitar.

World Music Releases

I have recently returned from Spain where I have explored the Pyrenees, its culture and people. As a consequence, I have composed a series of guitar songs that I will be releasing on I-tunes. Please take a peak and my latest World Music Flamenco and Jazz guitar releases.

My book on arranging:  Libros de Música, Arreglos y Orquestación,  can be found for sale on the following link.Flamenco Guitar for SaleI handpicked a unique Artisan Flamenco guitar while I was in Spain and is now for sale. Please take a peak at my website through this link.

Melbourne Music School

Melbourne Sydney Guitar Courses

Melbourne Sydney Guitar Courses

I am currently organising my Melbourne Sydney guitar courses for the year 2017. I therefore urge current students to secure their spots. Please be aware that weeekday evenings get booked very quickly. Furthermore, if you are a beginner, please consider joining our group lessons, held on Mondays at 6 and 7 p.m, or Wednesdays at 6 or 7 pm.

Take a peak guitar courses and prices through this link.

If you would like to know what level you are at,  please go through the course curriculum found on this link.

Student reactions to a minor chord with a major seventh

My students have asked me to share this photo with you.  It shows their true dismay and courage upon learning the existence, of a Minor Major 7th chord.

In this picture, see three great students displaying eagerness to learn. Good on you all !Melbourne Sydney Guitar courses

How to be creative in chord playing 

One of our functions as guitarists, is to define harmony and rhythm. We can play chords as a simultaneous block of notes, or by creating melodic lines that define their harmonic tension. These melodic lines can be created in different registers: in the bass or in the lead. You may also substitute the original chords with others of similar, or opposite harmonic tension.

At my Melbourne and Sydney Creative Guitar school, students learn how harmony works, and how to apply this knowledge to their playing. The objective of this learning, is to never run out of ideas to make your music always sound right.

Concerts and new releases

I would like to invite you to stay up to date on all my Melbourne and Sydney Concerts,  by visiting this web page.

Please listen to my new Guitar release on my: Thomas Lorenzo Guitar website.

El arreglo un puzzle de expresión musical. 

You may purchase my book on arranging and orchestration in the Spanish language, libros de musica through this link.