Creative String Playing Workshops in Brighton & London, March 29/30.
Learn, network, & Improvise in eclectic styles w violinist Christian Howes
BRIGHTON 1-5 pm, 29 March 2023
LONDON 1-5 pm, 30 March 2023
Who it’s for: ABRSM Grade 8 plus (or equivalent). Players and teachers welcome.
Price: £45 (Early Bird). Price will rise. Space is limited.
Pay here via Paypal or Credit Card:
Save by Booking Now!
Early bird offer: Pay just £45. Price will go up and Space is limited
THE ULTIMATE String Playing EXPERIENCE IN 1 DAY
Play & Improvise
You will Play & Improvise with clear guided structure 90% of the time.
Challenging And Fun
Like Yoga class, exercises allow modifications to suit your level.
Accessible
Eclectic
You do not need to have interest in Jazz, or previous experience with improvisation.
Expand Your Skills
Gain skills useful for Latin, Pop, Jazz, Bluegrass, Blues, playing free, et al.
29 March 2023
BRIGHTON
1-5 pm, March 29
**Workshop Participants are invited to attend evening concert for free.
Friends Meeting House
Ship Street
BN1 1AF
10 minutes walk from Brighton Station
30 March 2023
London
1-5 pm, March 30
TAM 55
Charterhouse Street
EC1M 6PR
Tube: Farringdon
TBA. If you have suggestions for space or would like to be on the waitlist, contact me at chris@christianhowes.com
What participants said
★★★★★ 5/5
"This is really fabulous! I am very very admiring of the entire package: all technical, theoretical, pedagogical foundations. And Chris’ positivity and optimism in the videos is wonderful!"
"Thanks for the Ideas, the interaction, and the peptalk. Chris is among the coolest of beans. Not because he plays so well, but because he concern himself with building bridges for others to cross over. These are things that remain and give and then give again."
"The work I did was an extremely minimal price to pay for what I received! Christian’s clear approach opened my understanding of how to navigate the violin, but it can also be applied to any chordal instrument and even to thoughtful, intentional development of lines on single-voice, melodic instruments, including human voice. Much fun! I am grateful! TY!"
"I really appreciated the tangible exercises to focus on and just chip away at it day by day, allowing me to grow gradually. Now, I know what to practice (for now) & I feel more confident about doing it."
" You gave me the essential keys to understand how to improvise. And especially to dare to play, even if we don't know anything about jazz or the codes of improvisation. Everything you shared with us was clear and practical, I know what I have to work on and how I can practice. Thanks for your passion and the way you convey your knowledge and your experiences. "
"Thank you for this amazing journey on improvisation and creativity. I believe I have material I can practice on for the next 10 years!"
"I'm so happy and relieved to have found a teacher that understands the frustrations of coming from a rigid classical background, and more importantly one who knows a way out into a wider world!!"
"The highly organized musical plan of being able to understand & play improvisational music with feeling was both highly inspiring and challenging"
"Christian Howes provides a much needed bridge to classically trained musicians and others who want to expand their playing and begin to play within a more creative context.Bravo!"
SAVE ON YOUR PURCHASE! EARLY BIRD OFFER: PAY JUST 45 pounds now. (LIMITED TIME OFFER)
Learn how to STRUCTURE your improvisation (beyond playing tunes.)
- Over free or non-tonal soundscapes
- Grooves, vamps, and modes
- Individually, and in small or large groups
So you can
- Play anything anytime with skills you currently have
- Accept yourself with every note you play
Practice effectively:
- integrating harmony, improvisation, and technique.
Internalize harmony on your instrument:
- Follow and remember the chord progressions to tunes
- Accompany other musicians in duo, trio, quartet, etc.
- Create your own unaccompanied arrangements of songs
- Make covers, acapellas, or loops.
Teachers:
- Foster a Jamming culture in your student community
- Foster a lifelong relationship w music for students
- Encourage diversity of students’ learning styles.
Professionals and Amateur Players
- Get off the sideline and jam confidently
- Get gigs or opportunities
Feedback from Players
★★★★★ 5/5
"This is really fabulous! I am very very admiring of the entire package: all technical, theoretical, pedagogical foundations. And Chris’ positivity and optimism in the videos is wonderful!"
"Thanks for the Ideas, the interaction, and the peptalk. Chris is among the coolest of beans. Not because he plays so well, but because he concern himself with building bridges for others to cross over. These are things that remain and give and then give again."
"The work I did was an extremely minimal price to pay for what I received! Christian’s clear approach opened my understanding of how to navigate the violin, but it can also be applied to any chordal instrument and even to thoughtful, intentional development of lines on single-voice, melodic instruments, including human voice. Much fun! I am grateful! TY!"
"I really appreciated the tangible exercises to focus on and just chip away at it day by day, allowing me to grow gradually. Now, I know what to practice (for now) & I feel more confident about doing it."
" You gave me the essential keys to understand how to improvise. And especially to dare to play, even if we don't know anything about jazz or the codes of improvisation. Everything you shared with us was clear and practical, I know what I have to work on and how I can practice. Thanks for your passion and the way you convey your knowledge and your experiences. "
"Thank you for this amazing journey on improvisation and creativity. I believe I have material I can practice on for the next 10 years!"
"I'm so happy and relieved to have found a teacher that understands the frustrations of coming from a rigid classical background, and more importantly one who knows a way out into a wider world!!"
"The highly organized musical plan of being able to understand & play improvisational music with feeling was both highly inspiring and challenging"
"Christian Howes provides a much needed bridge to classically trained musicians and others who want to expand their playing and begin to play within a more creative context.Bravo!"
EXAMPLE STRUCTURE OF WORKSHOP
- 1 hour: Guided Improvisation for solo, small group, and large group.We’ll explore accessible musical structures and you’ll improvise successfully from note 1.
- 1 hour: Mindful Integrated Improvisation using scalar and modal approach over varied grooves.
- 1 hour: Internalize harmony on your instrument so you can follow progressions in any style.
- 1 hour: groove playing, master class style performances, and break out jams.
FAQ
I’m glad you asked! This is NOT a “Jazz class”. I will teach you skills you can apply in any style of music. If you specialize in jazz, I’ll help you with that.
Yes. I organize group workshops like a YOGA class in which every participant is offered modified exercises to their level. Everyone will be sufficiently challenged and everyone will be able to participate – like a Yoga class.
It’s never too late. You just need the right method and structure.
If you’re not interested in expanding your skill set, this is not for you.
- Watch some videos on my Youtube channel and decide for yourself.
- I’ve spent decades playing in communities from Latin, Blues, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Rock, and Folk, and teaching musicians skills that apply.
- Understand music in new ways
- Develop more efficient & effective practice strategies
- Find more enjoyment in if you’re passionate about music, I expect this to be transformative for you.
If you want that, feel free to join us.
BRIGHTON 1-5 pm, 29 March
LONDON 1-5 pm, 30 March
Save on your purchase!
Early bird offer:
Pay just £45 (Limited time offer)