Folk and pop guitar taster

Learn the essential chords that will begin your guitar career, and develop the motor skill to strum pop songs. Please bring an acoustic guitar.
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Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

  • Start Date: 26 Jul 2025
    End Date: 26 Jul 2025
    Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: ME916
    Tutors:  Tony Rowden
    Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00
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Any questions? music@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 4582 0412

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Book your place
In stock
SKU
240199
Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00

What is the course about?

Essential guitar technique : chord shapes on the fretboard, chord symbols on paper, playing in time.

What will we cover?

Chord strumming patterns and finger-picking. We'll learn to play the chords of a simple song or two.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Read chord symbols and play together using 3 or 4 chords.
Tune your guitar.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Ideal for absolute beginners. This is a taste of guitar study, so you may decide to follow a longer course in future.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Play as a group following your tutor's guidance, demonstration and instruction.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Bring any style of acoustic guitar.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Folk and pop guitar 1a in September.

Tony Rowden Tutor Website

Tony Rowden studied with the eminent Spanish guitarist Carlos Bonell initially at City Lit and then at The London College of Music. He has also attended classes given by Gary Ryan and John Mills. He has performed with Carlos Bonell and Clive Carroll as well as flautists, recorder players, Renaissance singers and a guitar trio. He has recently played in Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding, Lope de Vega's Peribanez and a musical version of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Tony premiered Memórias, the published works of Silvestre Fonseca's Fado arrangements, and had a piece, Serenata, written for him by Silvestre Fonseca. He has several arrangements published: Ennio Morricone's Once Upon A Time In The West and The Master and Margerita and the book Easy Ensembles. His playing is featured in the film Silent Shakespeare, with pieces composed by Laura Rossi (London to Brighton, Song for Marion), and an animated film with music composed by Miguel Mera. Tony has been teaching at City Lit for the past twenty years

Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.