About The Workshop
You know your pentatonic scales. You've learned a few blues licks. But how do you bring everything together to make music?
Learning the blues is like learning a language. Understanding its vocabulary, rhythm and phrasing is the first step towards finding your own musical voice.
Join guitarist and music educator Paolo Fuschi for three practical workshops built around Rare Red Bear Blues, an original composition inspired by B.B. King, Freddie King and Albert King.
We'll learn the composition, explore its musical possibilities and discover how to make it our own.
Who Is This For?
Level: Low-Intermediate to Intermediate
Entry Requirements
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12-Bar Blues: Understand the basic 12-bar blues structure and chord progression.
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Minor Pentatonic Scale: Know the first position of the A minor pentatonic scale (5th fret).
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Guitar TAB: Be comfortable reading tablature and playing simple melodies or blues licks.
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Blues Rhythm: Have some experience with shuffle rhythms and keeping a steady pulse.
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Basic Improvisation: Have tried improvising with the pentatonic scale, even at a basic level.
You don't need to be an experienced blues soloist or have mastered techniques such as string bending.
What To Bring
Electric guitar players: Electric guitar, guitar amplifier and jack-to-jack instrument cable.
Acoustic guitar players: Acoustic guitar only.
Optional: Music stand.
The Three Workshops
01 Learn the Blues
Thursday 4 February | 7:30–9:30 pm
Learn the original composition while exploring essential blues vocabulary, rhythm, phrasing and expression.
02 Develop the Blues
Thursday 11 February | 7:30–9:30 pm
Take the composition further. Experiment with melody, rhythm and phrasing, and discover how familiar musical ideas can be transformed.
03 Make It Your Own
Thursday 18 February | 7:30–9:30 pm
Explore improvisation, creative variations and personal expression. Use the musical vocabulary you've developed to start finding your own voice.
Each workshop builds upon the previous session. To get the most out of this learning experience, participants are strongly encouraged to attend all three.
What Will You Receive?
Every participant will receive a complete transcription of Rare Red Bear Blues, an audio recording of the composition and a backing track to continue practising at home.
Thursday 4, 11 & 18 February 2027 | Time: 7:30–9:30 pm
Venue: The Vale, Mossley | Duration: Three two-hour workshops
Limited to a maximum of 12 participants to ensure a personalised and interactive learning experience.