Blues & Rock Improvisation Experience Day
Learn how to confidently improvise, solo, and jam in a relaxed, supportive environment.
New Date Added Due To High Demand!
The April date has now sold out, I have added an extra date.
When?
Saturday 30 May
10:00 – 16:00
Where?
Kirklees Guitar School Studio, Denby Dale
Who Is This For?
This experience day is ideal for guitarists who have already dipped their toes into improvisation but feel stuck or unsure how to progress.
If you’ve learned a few scales but find yourself relying too heavily on one shape, struggling to break out of Box 1, or unsure how to turn patterns into real music, this workshop is designed for you.
It’s also perfect if you want to build confidence playing over backing tracks, develop more musical phrasing, and start connecting ideas across the fretboard in a way that actually sounds like a solo rather than an exercise.
What You Will Learn
✅ Soloing over a 12-bar blues
✅ The pentatonic and blues scales
✅ How to change key
✅ Using licks in your solos
✅ Mixing major and minor pentatonic
✅ Techniques: bends, slides, hammer-ons, vibrato, double stops
✅ Call and response phrasing
✅ How to approach your first blues jam
✅ How to continue practicing after the workshop
Whats Included?
Your place includes a full six-hour, hands-on workshop led By James focusing on practical improvisation skills, along with a printed workbook containing TAB, exercises, and a structured practice plan to take away.
Lunch is provided on the day, along with tea and coffee during scheduled breaks.
You’ll also take part in a relaxed group jam session to put everything into practice, as well as a short guided tour of Kirklees Guitar School, including the teaching spaces and the studio where lessons and content are created.
Places are limited to just six participants to ensure a focused, supportive learning environment.
What You Will Leave With
🔴 Be able to improvise over a backing tracks
🔴 Understand how to use scales musically
🔴 Have a toolkit of licks and phrasing ideas
🔴 Feel more confident playing with others
🔴 Have a clear, simple plan of where to take your playing next
Meet Your Tutor
James has been teaching guitar for over 15 years and is the head of Kirklees Guitar School, which delivers over 200 lessons each week from its studio in Denby Dale.
Alongside his in-person teaching, he helps guitarists around the world through his YouTube channel and the Kirklees Guitar School Academy, focusing on practical, real-world playing.
As well as teaching, James is an in-demand session guitarist, performing with a variety of artists across the UK and Europe.
Where Is It Taking Place?
Address:
Unit 14
Springfield Mill
Norman Road
Denby Dale
HD8 8TH
Situated in the Springfield mill shopping complex, our studio benefits from good public transport links and a large free carpark.
Pricing & Booking
Starts May 30
89 British poundsLoading availability...
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Frequently Asked Questions
What level do I need to be?
This workshop is aimed at advanced beginner to intermediate players. You should be comfortable playing open chords and ideally have some basic knowledge of scales (even if you’re not confident using them yet)
Do I need to be able to improvise already?
Not at all. This day is designed specifically for players who have tried improvising but feel stuck or unsure how to progress.
Do I need to read music or TAB?
Everything is taught in a clear, practical way, and you’ll receive a workbook with TAB and diagrams to follow along.
What should I bring with me?
Please bring your guitar and anything you’d normally use (strap, picks, etc). No need to bring an amp.
Will I need an electric guitar?
An electric guitar is recommended for this workshop, as the material is focused on blues and rock styles.
Will there be a chance to play with others?
Yes, the day finishes with a relaxed group jam session where you can apply what you’ve learned in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
How many people will be attending?
Places are limited to just six participants to ensure everyone gets plenty of attention and support throughout the day.
What will I get to take away from the day?
You’ll leave with a printed workbook, a clear understanding of how to approach improvisation, and a simple practice plan so you can continue improving after the workshop.
What if I’m nervous about playing in front of others?
That’s completely normal. The day is designed to be relaxed and supportive, and you’ll never be put on the spot. You can take part at your own pace.
Join us for a full day of practical, hands on guitar playing and take the first real step into improvisation.
Starts May 30
89 British poundsLoading availability...
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