WORKSHOPS - Blues Week 2025
Blues Week 2025
27th July to 1st August 2025
University of Northampton, Northampton NN1 5PH
The Programme
Blues Week 2025 provides an opportunity for blues enthusiasts to come together for a full week of music making. It is a chance to broaden your skills and knowledge in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The program will offer morning and afternoon workshops and classes for all levels. The beginners class is for those who have little or no knowledge of their instrument. The intermediate and advanced classes are for those who already play to varying degrees of proficiency and are ready to learn new tunes, techniques and styles. The evening activities throughout the week will consist of a concert by the staff members, a student concert and nightly jam sessions.
The Classes
Arrival is Sunday and check-in is at 3 o'clock. Dinner will be provided at 5pm and there will be an orientation session at 7:30. Classes will begin on Monday morning and run through Friday afternoon. There will be 2 sessions (one for beginner/intermediate and the other for intermediate/advanced) in the morning beginning at 9:30 and lasting until 10:45. There is a 20 minute break between each class and the second session will start at 11:05 and end at 12:20. Lunch is from 12:30 to 2:00. In the afternoon, the first class will start at 2:15 and end at 3:30. The second afternoon session will commence at 3:50 and end at 5:05. All classes and workshops during the week will last for one hour and fifteen minutes. The program will include Friday night accommodation and check out is 10am Saturday morning.
The Staff
John will be offering six half-hour private lesson slots on each day for beginners to advanced students. All lessons are by appointment and a sign up sheet will be posted. Students will decide the lesson and we are asking everyone to be specific so John can be prepared to address your needs. Everything will be covered from intro to open tunings, to identifying tunings or playing positions by ear, to starting to play with an alternating bass - you name it!
ARI EISINGER, Country Blues Guitar
Ari is a guitarist and singer from Philadelphia who plays blues from the 1920s and 1930s. He has released video instructions on the music of Blind Blake, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Blind Boy Fuller.
This course is for people who know some chords and play some songs but don't yet know how to fingerpick. We'll go over alternating-thumb technique and how to pick out the melody while using it. The emphasis will be on the basic techniques that are the underpinning of so many blues styles.
This course will be an introduction to Lonnie Johnson's guitar playing. In addition, it can serve to demystify playing 'up the neck', which Johnson did frequently. Johnson's style (tunings, typical runs, etc.) will be emphasized more than a particular tune, although some tunes will be presented.
Mississippi John Hurt Early Recordings (intermediate/advanced)
This course is for people who know how to fingerpick but are interested in learning some of Mississippi John Hurt's guitar playing and/or enhancing their ability to alternate the thumb on the lower strings while picking out the melody on the upper strings. We'll cover some of the songs from Hurt's 1928 sessions.
RAINER BRUNN, Country Blues Guitar
Rainer Brunn recorded a series of blues guitar tutorials on Happy Traum’s ‘Homespun’ label and has found a lot of recognition by thousands of followers on Facebook and YouTube.
In this class, Rainer will work on accompaniments of popular songs by composers like Elizabeth Cotten, Riley Puckett, Mississippi John Hurt and others. He will also talk about building up basic accompaniments and then bringing them to higher levels.
For one class, Rainer will be working on songs by Big Bill Broonzy, Brownie Mc Ghee, Gary Davis, Sonny Jones and Norman Blake.
In this class, Rainer will cover songs by Charly Patton, Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Fred McDowell.
ABI BUDGEN, Country Blues Guitar
Abi is a passionate teacher and lifelong student of blues and gospel traditions, playing many styles and innovating with her own songwriting.
Country Blues Guitar (beginner/intermediate)
Abi's class will get students playing and singing straight away. Starting at the beginning, she'll help students to master the technique of playing a steady groove on the bass strings, and then add in rhythm, licks and melodies on the treble strings.
Intro To Making Music With Others (beginner/intermediate) In this class, Abie will be joining Homesick Mac to introduce students into duo playing while one is playing slide guitar in open and standard tunings. They will discuss how to best coordinate the performance by listening to each other, how to keep time and finding a common groove in a relaxed manner.
MICHAEL ROACH, Country Blues Guitar and Vocals
Michael is the Founder/Director of Blues Week. With 7 albums to his credit, he is firmly established in traditional blues music circles.
Country Blues Guitar (all levels)
Michael will be available to all students to help with any specific problems to advance your playing.
Blues Vocals (all levels) Using a selection of songs as tools, students will be encouraged to sing and find their true voice by covering the importance of breathing and phrasing.
Mac's main influences were Doc Watson and early country blues players including Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Between 1995 and 1999, Mac formed an acoustic duo with the legendary British slide guitar master Sam Mitchell.
Beginner / Intermediate Bottleneck Slide Guitar
In this class, Mac will guide you step-by-step into the art of acoustic slide playing. He will cover open and standard tunings, how to achieve good slide tone, playing the melody and laying a strong foundation with techniques and insights to keep you growing long after the workshop.
Intro To Making Music With Others (beginner/intermediate) In this class, Mac will be joining Abi Budgen to introduce students into duo playing while one is playing slide guitar in open and standard tunings. They will discuss how to best coordinate the performance by listening to each other, how to keep time and finding a common groove in a relaxed manner.
Intermediate / Advanced Bottleneck Slide Guitar
In this class, Mac will explore how to make your slide playing more expressive, dynamic, and complex, blending technical skill with musical storytelling. He will help students to enhance and refine your tone, craft more complex melodies, integrate slide with chords to create layered arrangements in a song, and seamlessly combine slide parts with fretted passages - unlocking the best of both worlds.
ADAM FRANKLIN, Bottleneck Slide Guitar and Mandolin
Adam Franklin is a superb exponent of blues and ragtime from a ‘golden age’ of American music. In addition to guitar, Adam will teach a mandolin class and students are encouraged to bring their mandolin along.
The History of Vastapol (intermediate/advanced)
This class will look at the story of the popular ‘Vastapol’ tuning. From the original tune that gave it the name, to variations on that tune, then on to classic blues recordings using this most well know tuning. Artists covered will include; Sam MacGee, Sylvester Weaver, Tampa Red, Blind Willie Johnson, Furry Lewis and more.
The Slide Guitar Of Steve James (intermediate/advanced)
This class will look at the slide guitar style of the wonderful Steve James. Steve’s style takes in all his influences, including blues, hillbilly and folk. His slide licks are great tricks to add to your repertoire. Songs covered will include ‘Fishermans Reel’, ‘Guitar Rag’, ‘My Last Good Car’, ‘Birmingham Steel’, ‘Frankie & Albert’ and others.
Blues Mandolin (all levels)
Adam’s mandolin class will be for everyone, from the experienced players to the curious beginner. From string bands to Chicago, the mandolin is great in a jam and a fresh addition to a duo or trio.
EDDIE MARTIN, Bottleneck Slide Guitar and Harmonica
With 16 acclaimed album/DVD releases, Eddie has been called “The Ambassador of British Blues” and in 2018, he won ‘Best Solo/Acoustic Artist’ in the European Blues Awards. His 2021 One-Man-Band album made Mojo Magazine's 'Top 10 Blues Albums of the Year' list.
Bottleneck Slide Guitar (beginner/intermediate)
Eddie’s class will start with the basics of slide choice, guitar set up, posture and how to move the slide to best musical effect. Accuracy on single string playing will be developed learning key tunes such as 'Amazing Grace', 'You Got To Move', and 'Come On In My Kitchen'. The class will also start learning separation of thumb/finger and look at key stylists (Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Fred McDowell) in the common slide tunings (D and G).
Rack Harmonica and One Man Band (all levels)
If you want to learn rack harmonica to complement your guitar accompaniment or alternatively are a harmonica player who wants to start transferring this to a rack and learning simple guitar parts, this course is for you. If you already do this but want to add foot percussion this is also the course for you. The course handouts include arrangements and tabs for guitar and harmonica parts for blues and some old-timey styled numbers. We will look at the pioneer stylists like Jimmy Reed, Jesse Fuller and Dr Ross. You need a rack and a guitar for the class, foot percussion is optional.
GRANT DERMODY, Harmonica
Grant is a harmonica player, singer and songwriter active in acoustic and Chicago style blues, old time, and other forms of American roots music.
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
Grant’s beginner class will focus on chord and single note tone production, rhythmic playing, tongue blocking, vamping and bending notes. The class will start at the beginning and progress at a comfortably challenging pace.
Blues Harmonica (intermediate/advanced)
One of Grant’s classes will focus on improvising and tone production. He will also focus on being able to hear and hold down a groove as a band member or part of a duo. The other class will look at developing repertoire and bringing the emotion and feel that each song requires. The technique follows from there.
LIAM WARD, Harmonica
Liam is well respected around the world for his mastery of the harmonica. He won the National Harmonica League 'Player of the Year' in 2012 and he runs the website: learntheharmonica.com.
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
This class will focus on building the foundations to help you flourish as a player. It will explore note production, rhythm and blues vocabulary, mastering basic scales, the 12 bar blues format and dive into some great blues licks. Each session will be flexible and adapted to suit the needs and interests of the students.
Blues Harmonica (intermediate/advanced)
This class will focus on everything that makes great harp players sound great. Liam will break down classic solos and study the magic of improvisation, distilling the essence of what every great player is doing in their playing. Topics will include tone, textures, advanced bending and shaping a solo. The class will dive deeper into the world of grooves and scales, and work on expanding your repertoire by going beyond the 12 bar blues.
WILL WILDE, Harmonica
Will Wilde picked up his first harmonica at the age of 16 and played it until his lips bled. His live show has been described as “A masterclass of blues harp playing, bar none.” (Blues in the North West).
Blues Harmonica (beginner/intermediate)
Will's beginner class will be focusing on foundational blues harp skills such as tone, vibrato, bending, and improv exercises, as well as breaking down songs by the likes of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson.
Blues Harmonica (intermediate/advanced)
Will's advanced class will be focused on blues soloing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions, taking cues from the likes of Big Walter, Little Walter and Sonny Boy.
Registration Fees 2025
On Campus: £815 and includes all classes, activities, 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner
Advance registration is required and is on a first come first served basis. A deposit of £400 will reserve your place. Once you have made a payment, can you please send us an email with your details. We have an exclusive ‘Online Access’ page on our website and once we have been notified of your payment, you will be given the password to view the teaching resources we have on offer. The videos cover all of the classes from different teachers and all levels of ability. Also, we will be offering ‘free’ Zoom lessons to everyone who pay to attend this year. All lessons will be recorded and posted to the ‘Online Access’ page for future reference. The balance of payment is due by 1st July 2025. Any cancellations will be refunded (minus a £100 administration fee) if you withdraw before 1st July 2024. After the 1st of July, all payments are non-refundable. If you are sending us a cheque, please include your registration form along with your payment in British Sterling.
Off Campus: includes all classes and activities £425
Per Day Rate: includes all classes and activities £160
Please make payment to: Euroblues Promotions Limited, P.O. Box 1333 Cheltenham GL50 9AS
For bank transfers, our sort code is 20-20-15 and our account number is 60473928. Space is limited and it is advisable to book early to avoid disappointment.
We will send confirmation of your deposit upon receipt of payment. On 1st July, we will be posting to all participants the complete details of your stay during the week. Fees include all classes and activities, accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation consists of a private single en-suite room.
Our John Jackson Youth Scholarship Fund will provide subsidised places for young people between the ages of 14 to 21. Students between the ages of 14 and 17 are eligible for a £250 subsidy. Students between the ages of 18 and 21 who are not in full time employment are eligible for a £200 subsidy.
A parent or responsible adult must accompany all students 16 and under. If you know of someone who qualifies or have a family member that you would like to bring along, please contact us for immediate consideration. This scholarship is only available to first-time participants.