[expand title=”Mod 1 : Parent & Child Guitar (Level : Beginners, Kids 6-8)”]

For : parent & kids 6-8 to learn guitar together.
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 10-15mins
In-person only, n/a online

• Guitar introduction
• Alternate picking
• Learning notes on fingerboard up to 5th fret
• Introducing tabs
• 1-, 2- & 3- fret chords
• Playing in time & simple strum patterns
• Simple everyday songs using open position chords
• Group project : writing a song together
• Song arrangements & rehearsal
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 2 : Parent & Child Uke (Level : Beginners, Kids 4-8″]

For : parent & kids 4-8 to learn ukulele together.
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 5-10mins
In-person only, n/a online

• Ukulele introduction
• Open String names
• Picking technique
• Chords & Strumming
• Playing in time
• Reading TAB
• Single-string melodies
• Simple kid songs (e.g. “When the Saints Go Marching In”; Kumbaya”, and similar)

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[expand title=”Mod 3 : Guitar for Tweens (Level : Beginners, Kids 9-12)”]

For : Kids aged 9-12 who want to learn guitar
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 5-10mins
In-person or online (accompanied by parent if online)

• All contents of Module 1
• Learning the notes on the fingerboard up to 12th fret
• Tuning the Guitar
• Fingering technique
• Group project : writing a song together
• Song arrangements & rehearsal
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 4 : Ukulele for Tweens (Level : Beginners, Kids 9-12)”]

For : Kids aged 9-12 who want to learn ukulele
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 5-10mins
In-person or online (accompanied by parent if online)

• All contents of Module 2 (for ukulele)
• Learning the notes on the fingerboard up to 5th fret
• Tuning the Uke/Guitar
• Fingering technique
• Group project : writing a song together
• Song arrangements & rehearsal
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 6 : Beginners Electric Guitar (Level : Beginners, Ages 13 to superadults – separate courses split by age groups)”]

For : Beginners into rock, pop and other modern music
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 15 mins
In-person and online

• Showcase of varied music styles
• Learning all notes on the fingerboard
• Alternate picking
• Common techniques’ overview & introducing tabs
• Intro scales
• Putting techniques & scales into action as a group
• Playing in time
• Reproducing song rhythms
• Listening development
• Chord structure & rhythm ideas
• Group project – applying rhythm & soloing together
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 7 : Beginners Acoustic Guitar (Level : Beginners, Ages 13 to superadults – separate courses split by age groups)”]

For : Beginners into acoustic folk guitar
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 15 mins
In-person and online

• Overview of varied folk styles & techniques
• Learning all notes on the fingerboard
• Alternate picking
• Different guitar woods & sound production
• Finger independence techniques
• Basic open chords
• Strumming in time to songs
• Common scale fingerings
• Creating melodies
• Strum patterns
• Working as a guitar duo : putting rhythm & melody together
• Group project – Song composition & rehearsal
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 8 : Ukulele for Teens & Adults (Level : Beginners & Improver, Ages 13 to superadults – separate courses split by age groups)”]

For : Beginners & improver level ukulele
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 15 mins
In-person and online

• All contents of Module 2
• Learning the notes on the fingerboard up to 5th fret
• Tuning the Uke
• Finger independence techniques
• Basic open chords
• Strumming in time to songs
• Common scale fingerings
• Creating melodies
• Strum patterns
• Group project : writing a song together
• Song arrangements & rehearsal
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 19 : Beginners Bass Guitar (Level : Beginners, Ages 9 to superadults – separate courses split by age groups)”]

For : Beginners level bass guitar
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : 20 mins
In-person and online

• Showcase of different bass styles
• Playing by pick or fingers
• Learning all notes on the fingerboard
• Easy bass patterns
• Intro scales & arpeggios
• Finger independence techniques
• Learning how to listen to drum rhythms
• More patterns
• Creating melodies & simple soloing
• Reproducing song rhythms
• Group project – joining patterns & soloing together
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 9 : Improver (Singer) Songwriter Acoustic Uke/Guitar (Level : Advanced Beginners)”]

For : Acoustic guitar & ukulele lovers who already play
Prerequisites : Some open chords & solid rhythm
Suggested Daily Practice : 20mins
In-person and online

• Presentation of different ukulele & acoustic guitar techniques, woods & sound production
• Learning the fingerboard in full
• Finger clarity techniques
• Closed transpositional chords
• Easy chord changes for songs
• Circle of 5ths
• Note time values
• Tips for solid timing
• Strum pattern examples
• Understanding your fave songs’ strum patterns
• Right hand relaxation techniques
• Finger-picking
• Finger-patterns with hand/pick
• 2 – octave open scales
• Joining harmony & melody : playing melodies & chords separately (as a guitar duo) and alone (as a solo guitarist)
• Adding singing (optional)
• Group project – writing a song
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 10 : Improver Rock School (Level : Advanced Beginners)”]

For : Electric guitarists who wanna rock out like a star!
Prerequisites : Some scale shapes, open & barre chords, & fingerboard knowledge (1 private lesson could be taken to cover this).
Suggested Daily Practice : 20mins
In-person and online

• Overview of general rock & metal riffing
• Palm muting & power chords
• Building chords & mapping them on fingerboard
• Rhythm guitar using closed position chords & 3-string 9th chords
• Closed position speed scales – major, 3 minors (natural, harmonic, jazz melodic), pentatonic major & minor
• Sequence patterns for soloing
• Same scale harmonizing & arpeggio patterns
• Tips to solo – find the key, forget it, groove on
• Group project – real life ideas how to combine chords & solos as one
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 12 : Intermediate Guitar (Level : Intermediate)”]

For : Who wants to become an above average guitarist who plays across genres
Prerequisites : Basic understanding of most items in Module 9 (incl. fingerboard knowledge)
Suggested Daily Practice : 25mins
In-person and online

• String skipping
• Finger picking
• Slur building techniques
• Bending & vibrato
• Modes – relation to major/ natural minor scales & mapping them on guitar
• Vertical vs horizontal – applying parts of different modes to move within the same scale across fingerboard
• Natural harmonics
• Rhythm guitar in latin music
• Group project – application of all above by writing 1 or 2 songs as a team
• Presentation Gig

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 13 : The Prog & Jazz Soloist (Level : Advanced)”]

For : players into advanced rock & jazz
Prerequisites : Most of Module 10, basic sight reading, diatonic harmony knowledge, + a love for adventurous music
Suggested Daily Practice : 15mins alone + 1 weekly jam from lesson 4
In-person and online

• Presentation of varied prog rock & jazz styles
• Artificial harmonics
• 9th, 11th, & 13th chords
• Use of two-note chords (diads) in soloing
• Combined flat & finger picking; Wes Montgomery octave-style playing
• Transposition, modulation, pivot chords & secondary dominant 7th chords
• Combining tapping with string skipping licks across modes
• Extending the CAGED system to speed scales = more chord shapes & solos everywhere
• Soloing with whole-tone & diminished scales
• Jazz harmony – tritone substitutions, Naepolitan 6th chords, German augmented 6ths, Coltrane changes & Bebop scales
• Presentation gig

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[expand title=”Mod 14 : Music Theory Graded Exams (Level : Beginners to Advanced)”]

For : Any player (not just guitarists) keen to learn classical OR practical theory
Prerequisites : Love for Music
Suggested Daily Practice : depends on grade
In-person and online

• Get to the next level in 12 lessons! Choose between ABRSM / LCM classical music theory (for general composition & its understanding) up to Grade 5; or LCM Popular Music Theory (keeping it simple as applicable to contemporary music) up to Grade 8.

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 15 : Know It Hear It Harmony & Practice (Level : Beginners to Advanced)”]

For : Any player (not just guitarists) keen to learn how chords, scales & rhythms work to write/learn songs. Drop-ins welcome.
Prerequisites : Love for Music
Suggested Daily Practice : 5-10 mins
In-person and online

• speed up your theoretic understanding during 1-2-1 lesson time thus having more time for hands-on practical applications
• build a solid understanding of contemporary music regardless of your level on the guitar
• how scales & chords are built, relate to each other & are used in song composition & improvisation
• rhythmic notation
• post-1950 contemporary pop & rock music history
• how to move melodies & chords between keys (a common technique in songwriting)
• FUN melodic, harmonic & rhythmic exercises

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 5 : 6-week Music Clapping for Kids & Tweens (Level : Beginners, Kids 4-12)”]

For : Kids aged 4-12 interested in enjoying music without learning an instrument!
Prerequisites : Positive Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : None
In-person only, n/a online

• Kids learn how to clap rhythms
• Clapping the pulse to kid songs
• Listening and repeating
• Tapping to rhythms of songs
• Creating short & long rhythms that fit together
• Percussions at some lessons

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 11 : 6-week Blues Workshop (Level : Improver to Intermediate)”]

For : Guitarists & bassists into blues & blues/rock
Prerequisites : Some Barre Chords
Suggested Daily Practice : 5-10 mins
In-person and online

• Common blues progressions (including 7th barre chords)
• 7 shapes of 1-octave blues & pentatonic scales all along guitar neck
• 5 shapes of 2-octave blues & pentatonic scales all along guitar neck
• 1 shape of 3-octave blues & pentatonic scales all along guitar neck
• Soloing using all above scale shapes
• How to use a finger slide
• Common turnarounds
• Common blues rhythms
• Chord substitutions & additions
• Song examples
• Jamming

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 18 : 6- week Songwriting : how to learn from others’ songs to write own (Level : Improver to Intermediate)”]

For : Any musician interested to write own songs
Prerequisites : Maj & Min Chords
Suggested Daily Practice : 3 mins
In-person and online

• basic overview : song structure + repetition of rhythms, melodies & chords
• drummer hints re sequence (aka riff) changes
• singing & identification of scales & intervals
• chords built on each degree of major scale
• finding the key by ear/ visually from chord chart
• 10 most common chord progressions & song examples
• tips how to change chord progressions for own songs
• aural recognition of chords
• extracting & repeating rhythms
• finding melodies on one’s instrument
• song similarities

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 16 : Catch Up without Ketchup Jammings (Level : Beginners to Advanced)”]

For : Guitarists & bassists of all ages keen to become an effective band members.
Prerequisites : Pro-active Attitude
Suggested Daily Practice : NONE
In-person only, n/a online

• Strange title but it is basically that – putting what one knows into use within a band scenario, without homework.
• Very casual sessions that seem more as musicians meeting for a jam together.
• Running every 3-4 weeks, drop-ins are welcome as every lesson differs.
• Different styles, soloing, hearing & complimenting others, varied rhythm chops, harmonizing, etc etc – basically packs of song ideas non-stop!
• Complimented from time to time with a Q & A session – where any student comes up with an ad hoc question, and the answer is relayed as class project.

[/expand]

[expand title=”Mod 17 : 2 sessions back-to-back Improve Faster : Become amazing sooner! (Level : Improver to Advanced)”]
In-person and online

For : any instrumentalist (not just guitarists) keen to learn how to practice without over-studying, making you a better player sooner at a relaxed pace.
Prerequisites : 2 months of study on your instrument
Suggested Daily Practice : n/a

• How to divide your practice into different practice blocks (technique builders, scales & soloing, chords & rhythm, songs, theory & ear training, or a similar combination).
• Practicing in chunks of small periods of time to help you focus more, achieve more, and improve faster.
• How to fit your studies within your daily routine
• An imaginary schedule will be addressed, directing different practice blocks with a focus of knowing what to achieve from each.

[/expand]

[expand title=”Click this menu for T & Cs”]

Please note that by enrolling yourself/your child to group lessons, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

1. Location:
Courses are held at either Cool Gool Music, Docklands Settlements Rotherhithe Community Centre, or Canada Water Studios, all walking proximity of each other within Rotherhithe SE16 (click links for maps), so venue may change among 3 locations via 1 week advance written notice.
You herewith confirm to have read the technical info at our online lessons page & be set up should the course run online (Cool Gool Music will assist you with the necessary set-up before your 1st lesson if necessary).
If modules 3 & 4 (for kids 9-12) are taken online, a parent is to accompany their children to assist with technology.

2. Fees are payable upfront for a block of 6 or 12 lessons (you get a discount if paying 12 upfront; lessons 7-12 are due at lesson 4 if not). If the majority of participants wish (especially for kids), there’ll be a mid-term break.

3. Refunds:
(a) It’s in your interest to attend lessons. Missing them is your choice, so no refunds due.
(b) Due to advance venue hire, if one drops out after registering/ during course, a refund for any due lessons (less £15 admin fee) is issued only if 6 students are currently in the course.
(c) In the rare & unlikely event that Cool Gool Music cancels a lesson, 1 week advance notice is given via email & £12 are refunded.
(d) Once the course day is announced, if lessons run on a day you do not list on applying, you can use the fees towards individual lessons at a convenient day to you, wait till next term hoping the course runs on day you prefer, or ask for a refund.
(e) Lessons are carried in English, and it is hence expected that participants can clearly understand and communicative in English, and if not, no refund or back-up lessons will be issued.

4. Consent: By agreeing to these T & Cs, students/guardians herewith allow Cool Gool Music
(a) to teach respective applicants 16 & younger in their care
(b) to video lessons for the sake of continually improving lessons for you
(c) to use videos excerpts & lesson photos for promotion. These media will be forwarded to you to show to friends, and get rewarded £12 for every friend of yours who enrols.

5. Instrument : It is understood that you have your own instrument. If not, Cool Gool Music can provide advice about/ sell you cheap but good entry level instruments (think ~£25 for ukes, ~£50 for acoustic guitars, ~£90 for electric/bass guitars) at the 1st lesson.

[/expand]

[expand title=”Click this menu for FAQs”]

I am not a beginner. Do you have a group course for me?
Indeed! There are courses for advanced beginners (ideal if you already play but never took lessons), intermediate & advanced players. Anything from pop to rock to metal to jazz or whatever your style.

Do you teach other instruments besides guitar?
Yes – bass, ukulele, music theory, rhythm and harmony (open to all musicians not just guitarists). Under each module pic there is a drop-down menu with course details.

How do I confirm my slot for group lessons?
Your slot is confirmed once you effect payment via paypal (Steps 1-3 at the booking page); if you don’t use Paypal fill in Steps 1 & 2 only, and you will be emailed the bank account to pay into.

How many students will there be in a group session?
3 to 8 max to ensure that each participant gets personal attention.

At what age can one start?
Kids 4-8 function better in a same age group – more fun & more rewarding (as it challenges them to match up to other kids). So for this age group, I recommend Mods 1 & 2 Parent & Child, so the kid is accompanied by a parent/guardian, to ensure that home practice is in the same fun method used in class.

There’s a course which clashes with prior commitments, but I’d really like to start learning soon.
Please book and once 3 people enrol for your same course, I will contact you to start on a mutually suitable date. So please supply as many availabilities as possible to make this easier for you! And if you recommend friends, you get rewarded £12 for each who enrol.

Read more FAQs here.

[/expand]