Play guitar all day in the remote Andalusian sunshine with helpful and fun tips on practice, performance and theory from experienced musicians.
This is a unique three day weekend retreat designed for guitarists in need of something to refresh their creative minds and souls. If you’re stuck in a musical rut and don’t know how to improve, or just bored of playing alone in your spare room - this retreat is for you. Break through your roadblocks, and give your guitar playing a boost!
Guests on the retreat will; discover good practice habits, learn to improvise successfully with other musicians and become star performers. Improve technique and theory through group and solo tuition sessions with all the best tips and tricks. Enjoy the freedom of playing live and loud in this remote country location - no neighbours to bother - just the birds and olive trees and an amp turned up to 11!
PLAYING LEVEL
Maybe you’ve been playing for a few years, can play a few songs, and already know one or two scales, but you really want to improve your knowledge and technique. Perhaps you’ve hit a bit of a plateau and need some help taking your playing to the next level. This is not really for absolute beginners, but on the other hand if you’re a blazing shredder you might make the rest of us look bad!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Stunning remote location
- 6 group guitar playing sessions
- Daily improvisation jams
- 1-to-1 tuition from fully qualified guitar tutor
- All electric/bass guitars, drum kit, amps and PA provided (but feel free to bring your own)
- Filmed performance video session
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 meals a day
- Swimming pool
- Airport transfers included
- Small group retreat with a maximum of 7 participants
PRICES
- Standard: £595 per person
- Early Bird Rate: £545 per person (when booked 60 days prior to retreat date).
Available Dates
Please contact us via the email link above to make a booking or request further information.
We will respond as soon as possible. Payments will be made through a secure credit card form.
Your Guitar Hosts
Alistair Pope
Alistair has all the musical qualifications you can think of; BTEC, PTLLS, BA(hons), MA(hons) covering everything from neo-classical guitar techniques to performing arts, composing and songwriting. Not only has he been gigging internationally since 1989, performing in countless bands (see below for career highlights), he has also found time to teach guitar in private, public and commercial settings since 2005.
Alistair brings a fun, vibrant and example-led approach to the communication of sometimes complex musical concepts. His encyclopaedic theoretical knowledge and unparalleled experience on the instrument make him an essential addition to the guitar retreat weekends.
PERFORMANCE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Supported the Maccabees, was invited to join Mercury Music Prize nominees Sweet Billy Pilgrim; member of the Boy Least Likely To’s touring band; performed live music at a TED Talk on the same bill as Professor Brian Cox; co-writing + live and studio sessions for Leonie Casanova, Susie Ledge & Kosheen DJs.
Graham Bennett
A true polymath - Graham is proficient at anything he turns his hand to. From classical violin aged 7, to cello, trumpet, drums, Spanish acoustic and most importantly - electric guitar. Having a good ear from an early age gave him a musical advantage that he’s maximised ever since. Although a relative latecomer to the guitar at age 18, he quickly mastered the instrument that has since become his lifelong musical companion.
With almost 30 years experience playing guitar in numerous guises - from acoustic duos to funk, pop, soul and jazz covers bands - Graham often finds himself returning to his true love of the classic rock that inspired him back in the 90s. He's also no stranger to music production and recording, having spent many hours working with Ableton. These days he plays guitar most days a week, in three bands of originals, funk and soul music.
Graham brings his infectious enthusiasm to our guitar retreat weekends, and his experience and improvisational skills help everyone get into the jamming zone.
Itinerary
FRIDAY
- Welcome gathering and light lunch
- Intro group jam Session #1 - Introduction
- Evening meal
- Session #2 - Timing & Vocalisation
SATURDAY
- Breakfast
- Session #3 - Performance
- Lunch
- Free time / Private tuition sessions with tutor
- Afternoon tea
- Dinner
- Session #4 - Review & Feedback
SUNDAY
- Breakfast
- Free time / Private tuition sessions with tutor
- Lunch
- Afternoon tea
- Session #5 - Music Theory
- Dinner
- Session #6 - Headspace
MONDAY
Breakfast, check out and transfers.
All sessions are included in the price but are not mandatory.
This is your weekend to enjoy!
Retreat & Accommodation
Health & hygiene
Cortijo El Tunante is Covid-19 conscious and adheres to the local government guidelines. Visitors must be fully vaccinated OR please take a lateral flow test before arrival to prove negative. Hand sanitiser is made available throughout the property.
Accommodation
Cortijo El Tunante is 40 minutes drive from Malaga, situated amongst the olive and almond groves and rolling hills of Andalusia. It accommodates 6 guests in two casitas (small cottages). Casita Victoria sleeps 4 guests in two bedrooms. Casita Marcia sleeps 2 guests. Please note: each bedroom is for 2 guests sharing.
Each casita has a lounge area, kitchen and modern bathroom with rainfall shower, equipped with eco-friendly toiletries. There is a pool, terraces, sunbeds, an outdoor bar area (with dart board), and plenty of space for everyone. There will be an opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside by foot. At night, have a drink by the BBQ and relax under the stars.
Food & Drink
Your hosts, Melissa and Michael will provide a light lunch and dinner on your arrival day, 3 meals on Saturday and Sunday and breakfast on the day of departure. Filtered water, tea and coffee are provided in the casitas' kitchens. In the evening there will be an honesty bar available, stocked with soft drinks, beer and wine. Cocktail kits will be available for pre-order. Please provide the hosts with any dietary requirements when booking.
Your Retreat Hosts
Melissa & Michael Bel Gil
The hosts of Cortijo El Tunante have been running their retreat deep in the Andalusian countryside for over 2 years.
Michael has also been playing guitar and bass since aged 15, and has performed in hundreds of gigs internationally over the years - both in original rock bands and in successful function bands. These days he can be found in small bars in Malaga, Spain with his dulcimer-based ethno-psychedelic trio.
Find out more at: cortijoeltunante.com/getintouch#about
General terms & conditions for retreats at Cortijo El Tunante
Insurance
Cortijo El Tunante is fully insured as a business with respect to Abbeygate España Corredores De Seguros Sociedad Limitada.
Payment
A deposit of £250 per guest is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the retreat. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the retreat start date. All payments will be handled by Cortijo el Tunante.
Travel
Flights are not included. Please organise your own flights to Spain if travelling from outside the country. Transfers to/from the Cortijo from/to Malaga airport are included. We will provide further details of timings on booking.
Cancellation by a consumer
Should a guest be unable to attend a retreat, we will permit the booking being transferred to another person who satisfies all the conditions, subject to both persons accepting joint and several liability for full payment of the cost. Cortijo El Tunante must be given reasonable notice of the transfer request, which is considered to be at least 6 weeks prior to the retreat date. This allows for us to re-advertise the place should the guest be unable to transfer themselves. If neither the guest nor hosts are able to fill the spot, the original deposit is non-refundable. Illness and covid-related cancellations must be covered by travel insurance.
Cancellation by Cortijo El Tunante
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your retreat for no fault of your own, we will notify you as quickly as possible and we will compensate you for any loss reasonably incurred by you as a result of our cancellation. The consumer is entitled to take a substitute retreat (if we are able to offer one) with monetary differences to be paid or refunded depending on the booking.
Our special terms relating to COVID
If a retreat is cancelled by us due to covid we will ask you to rebook another retreat without time constraint. Alternatively we ask that you seek a refund through your travel insurer if at all possible.
There is still uncertainty, particularly for overseas travel, so we will continue to take each day as it comes and stay in close communication with all those who have a retreat booked with us. Please ensure that you have the necessary personal insurance in place to cover you in case of illness or cancelled travel plans.
Teacher
If for any reason at all, a course teacher becomes unavailable we shall do our utmost to replace them with a leader of similar qualities and standards.
Flight Confirmation and Insurance
It is your responsibility to confirm your flight times with your airline before your outward and return journey. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of private travel insurance for both UK and overseas travel with protection for the full duration of the retreat in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
Exclusions of Liability
Cancellations, delays or changes caused by war, threat of war, terrorist actions or threats, closure of airports, civil strife, industrial action, natural disaster, technical problems to transport, staff cancellations or other events beyond our control.
Loss of, or damage to, personal property of participants
If you have any complaints about the venue during the retreat please liaise with the teacher or your hosts directly in the first instance. Please ensure to raise any issues during the period of your retreat and we will do our best to help resolve any problems.