The perennial gathering of some of the very best guitarists in the world is always a star-studded display of guitar virtuosity — not only during the live performances on the Guitar Town main stage, but also during the fun, informative morning workshops Guitar Town hosts on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, at 10 a.m. at the Copper Conference Center. Guitar aficionados/students and fans are granted a rare opportunity to connect with the Acoustic Day and Electric Day guitarists on a personal level at the workshops in a relaxed “living room-style” format while hearing stories, soaking up advice, gaining technical insight, and witnessing “you’ll never see this anywhere else” jams.
The Guitar Town Workshop Schedule
Friday Kick Off Workshops
- 12:30pm – 1:30pm Guitar Workshop – “Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!” – Marlene Hutchinson – Conference Center
- 1:30pm – 3:30pm Proper Care and Feeding of your Guitar – Robbie O’Brien and Jim Deeming – Conference Center
- 3:30pm – 6:00pm The Guitar Town Performance Workshop: Learn from Legends! Presented by Andy May and sponsored by Rocky Mountain Guitar Camp – Conference Center
Acoustic Day Workshop Saturday
- 10:00am – 11:00am Guitar Workshop – “Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!” – Marlene Hutchinson – West Lake Stage
- 10:30am – 11:30am Musicians Acoustic Workshop – Conference Center
- 11:00am – 12:00pm Guitar Workshop – “Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!” – Marlene Hutchinson – West Lake Stage
Electric Day Workshop Sunday Conference Center
- 10:30am – 11:30am – Electric Musicians Workshop – Conference Center
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day
- Fri 12:00pm Upper Level Conference Center
- Sat 10:00am and 11:00am and 11am Guitar Center Stage – West Lake Stage
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!
Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!®
Stop dreaming and start playing guitar right away! Marlene Hutchinson, creator of Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!, as seen on PBS and featured on CBS, NBC and NPR, will present her unique program designed for the absolute novice. Her simple signature method is a fun way to play guitar immediately. No music and/or guitar experience required. Bring your acoustic guitar, stop by to meet Marlene and learn to play. No guitar, no problem ~ we’ll have loaner guitars available courtesy of Guitar Center.
New in 2020 ~ One-on-one Mentoring Sessions with Marlene! (Friday, 1:45 – 3:30 pm)
Register For Mentoring Session
Not only can you attend Marlene’s popular Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! workshop, but for the first time at Guitar Town you can attend a 20 minute one-on-one mentoring session with Marlene!
You must pre-register online before August 1 to reserve your spot. One session per person please, however if there are mentoring spots available after August 1, you may register for more than one spot at the Friday workshop from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. If all spots are full your name can be added to the waitlist.
Mentoring Session Fee: $30
Register For Mentoring Session
Taught by Marlene Hutchinson
Marlene, guitar instructor, musician, published author, producer and podcaster, presents her popular Learn to Play Guitar in a Day! workshop at colleges, universities, events and conferences, as well as businesses and corporations. Her program has been seen by millions on PBS and featured on CBS, NBC, NPR, Acoustic Guitar (magazine), The Women’s International Music Network, several news publications and is a 2014 Player’s Choice Award nominee. In addition, she’s been a spokesperson, clinician and guest panelist for various organizations and events, and hosts her podcast series, Tips For Guitar Playing Success.
Proper Care and Feeding of your Guitar
If you have questions about how to properly care for your instrument or anything else lutherie related then come to the “ask the Luthier” event with Robbie O’Brien and get those questions answered.
When Jim Deeming takes the stage, audiences know they’re in for a treat before the first song is over. His infectious love of the guitar is evident in every arrangement, whether playing an original or covering one of his heroes, including the likes of Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed.
Jim got his first guitar at the age of six. His ever evolving fingerstyle technique produces an exciting one-man-band sound which he applies to a wide range of songs from gospel to country, pop, classical and bluegrass. He rounds out his sound with alternate tunings and blistering banjo-style rolls that leave listeners looking around for “the other guitar player”
In addition to performing and recording, he is also a fingerstyle instructor for JamPlay.com with thousands of students in over 50 countries and recently won 2nd place in the 2011 Utah State Open Fingerstyle Championship.
Robert “Robbie” O’Brien
Robert “Robbie” O’Brien began his guitar building career in São Paulo, Brazil in 1997. For three years, Robbie built classical guitars under Antonio Tessarin, who remains one of Brazil’s most highly sought after luthiers. While still living in Brazil and upon returning to the United States, Robbie studied acoustic guitar building under Kent Everett in Atlanta, GA. He has also studied in Spain with renowned classical guitar builder José Romanillos.
In 2003, Robbie founded the Lutherie Program in the Fine Woodworking Department at Red Rocks Community College in Denver, CO. He developed the program into one of the largest lutherie schools in the United States. By the end of his tenure in 2012, the course list had expanded from a single classical guitar building class to include classes in acoustic guitar, electric guitar, archtop guitar, mandolin, violin, guitar setup & repair, French polish, high gloss finishes and inlay.
One of Robbie’s greatest passions in lutherie is teaching. He offers one on one and small group building and finishing classes, as well as master classes. He also offers consultations to individuals and small groups wanting help with their guitar building. To date, Robbie has personally supervised the building of over 500 guitars made by students in Colorado, from teenagers to retirees. Several of his students relocated to Colorado specifically to study with him.
The Guitar Town Performance Workshop: Learn from Legends!
Get performance tips from Guitar Town artists! Would you like to work with Guitar Town performers to enhance your performance skills? Join us for Guitar Town’s first-ever Performance Workshop! Where but Guitar Town can you learn from guitarists of this caliber for FREE!? Presented by Andy May and sponsored by Rocky Mountain Guitar Camp. All ages welcome.
Panel (3:30pm – 4:15pm): During the first hour, a panel of artists from the Guitar Town roster will share performance Tips, Tricks, and Tales from the Road, covering everything from focused practice to showmanship. There will be plenty of time for Q & A. The panel discussion is open to all: No registration required.
Panelists: TBD
Break (4:15pm – 4:25pm)
One-on-one Mentoring (4:25pm – 6:00pm): Bring your guitar, because the second part of the
workshop will be 20-minute one-on-one mentoring sessions with Guitar Town artists! You must pre-register online before July 1st to reserve your place for a mentoring session. If there are mentoring spots available after August 1, we will have sign-up sheets at the workshop room on Friday afternoon from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. If there are still openings at 2:30 p.m., those who have already signed up for one session will be able to sign up for a second one.
Mentors: TBD
