Please be welcomed to Rafael's Free Guitar lessons group. These lessons are a weekly, free and public venue in the heart of Amsterdam, aiming for a general approach on the guitar.

> Apply now for the season 2 (starting January 2012)
> Check Rafael's other available lessons

Objective:
The objective of these free lessons is to allow everyone interested in the instrument to make a three month trial in a relaxed informal atmosphere, lead by a professional musician. This allows:
- a better understanding of the level of one's interest in the instrument;
- how it feels to have a teacher guiding the learning process;
- make music together with fellow students of different levels and skills

And, most of all, to share the passion for music and guitar! After this three month period, students should have the tools to decide if they want to go for a more serious dedication to the instrument, attending private lessons (indivual or in small groups).

Attendance and enrollment:
Lesson take place with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 students per season. To enroll it is just necessary to show up until the third lesson and fill in the available questionnaire. Anyone can join, independently of their guitar playing level. Each student can attend one season.

> Enroll now in the next season (starting January 2012)

Schedule and location
2011/2 Free guitar lessons planning:

Season #1: September 13 - November 29
Season #2: January 10 - March 20 
Season #3: April 3 - June 12

The lessons occur at
- Talia (Prinsensstraat, 12 - Amsterdam),
- every Tuesday night, from 19.30 - 21.30h.

There's a 20 minute break and an after-lesson-group-drink, to boost the social experience!

Contents and program
The program is not too strict, because it depends of the students' level. Main general issues regarding the guitar are approached, with emphasis on:

- Posture, hand technique
- Chords, scales;
- Creative playing;
- Practicing strategies;
- Theoretical introduction

All topics are just superficially spoken, in order to give everyone a general guideline to understand the instrument, how to improve and optimize the time of study, etc. The main goal is to allow people to play the things they like the most, so everyone is asked to bring their own favourite songs.

Final concert and other activities
After each season, a final concert is organized, where every students play, independently of their guitar playing level. Either solo or in small ensembles, everyone has the chance to share their favorite tunes and experience the adrenaline of a public performance in a friendly, informal and cozy atmosphere.

Besides the final concert, other activities are organized in order to allow everyone a more exciting experience. From barbecues to attending concerts, either of a musical or purely social nature.

Support tools
To optimize the lessons, a few basic online tools have been created:

- Facebook group
- a questionnaire, to know a bit more about each one of the participants' music / guitar skills;
- a forum, to allow easier development of topics discussed in the lessons;
- a lesson summary page, to serve as a general guideline after each lesson;

This page will serve to post regular updates, general follow-ups and activities related to the lessons. Please feel free to send Rafael any questions or suggestions using the contact form.

                              These Free guitar lessons are proudly integrated
                              in the Couchsurfing - Amsterdam Zone activities.