Sid here.
I’m running a workshop in Tuscany, focusing on learning and playing songs from the Long Ryders’ Native Sons album, some other Sid Griffin written Long Ryders tunes, and possibly other tracks which have influenced me through the years.
After attending workshops myself for bluegrass music and songwriting it became a dream of mine to spend 5 days and 6 nights with true fans and friends, discussing and playing some of my own music, eating and drinking fantastic local Tuscan food and drink, hanging out by a beautiful infinity pool watching the stars go by at nighttime. Now it seems this is going to come true in May 2024.
Please read on as I hope you will come join me for what I believe will be a fantastic, and possibly musically life changing, experience.
You don’t have to be a guitar wiz or anything like that, but you should at least be comfortable with basic cowboy chords and a couple of scales (Major and Minor pentatonic would be great). This is not a complete beginners workshop, however there are many ways to play these songs depending on your ability so don’t be alarmed. I have you covered, but you should have some basic experience on the guitar. (And I am not against a bass player taking this course, it would definitely be extra fun if one did!)
You will need to bring at least one electric guitar with you, but you are also welcome to bring a couple if you wish, including an acoustic as well. The workshop will be taught with electric guitars in mind but after dinner acoustic jams often happen…I will bring my mandolin and we can pick out by the swimming pool under the majestic stars if the weather those days is typically sunny as per usual.
There is also a collection of guitars, effects, etc., at the property. (And we might spend a morning or an afternoon discussing the different guitars brought to the workshop and what those guitars strengths really are. After all, I am foolish enough to have owned an easy 50 guitars in my time and there is hardly a name electric guitar I am not familiar with.)
What you can expect is two 3 hour workshop sessions each day (6 hours a day if math isn’t your thing). One in the morning, and one in the afternoon. On the last two days of the workshop we will be joined by a bass player and drummer for the afternoon sessions. You will all get to play the songs with me and the band!
NOTE: this is NOT a lead guitar workshop. Before you arrive we will have agreed on what ten Long Ryders songs to learn and everyone should listen to those songs and get familiar with them. When in the workshop we will all discuss how these songs were written, what inspired them, and how students can play them with me in class and later that week in a full band setting.
On the last two days of the workshop we are all going to play them with a talented local rhythm section and…get ready…those more developed guitarists on the course will get to play the solos. It gets better too as I want whichever students are willing to sing the songs as well! Of course I will be happy to sing too.
You also get three locally sourced and totally yummy meals each day: breakfast in the Pool House, lunch where we rehearse, and then back to the Pool House for dinner. Local beer, wine, soft drinks, snacks are also included. (Lunch and dinner I will be dining with you but I might save breakfast for me to concentrate on the day’s particular lesson.) I would like to emphasis I will be around both in class and of course at lunch and dinner where you can ask me anything about music or my career or whatever it is you want.
The workshop will be in the heart of Tuscany’s wine region (closest airport Rome or Florence) at Borgo Poggio Bianco.
It’s a stunning property with plenty of places to visit nearby, especially for any partners that want to come along with you. While you are staying, the entire property will be at your disposal. If you’d like to check the property out, here’s a link.
There are only 10 spots available for this workshop. As this is the first time I will be running a workshop (although I’ve been to my fair share as a student) I want to keep this intimate and really focus on the students that choose to attend.
I have asked my friend Richard, who arranges workshops at Poggio Bianco, to help me organize things and to Admin a WhatsApp group to discuss all aspects of the workshop. He knows the property, knows the owner, knows the band, and is familiar with my plan for the workshop, so he should be able to answer many of the questions you may have. I will also be monitoring the group and will join in when time permits. Once you confirm you are attending, we will add you to the group.
The cost of the workshop and everything that is included is listed below in the letter from Richard.
One last thing, Poggio Bianco will have its own brewery opening early 2024 on the property. It will include a Tap Room for the public and a stage. If all goes to plan I will be playing a solo show there on one of the evenings. And I will try to take requests.
To become one of my ten students email me and our Italian supervisor Richard Williams via italy2024@sidgriffin.com
I so hope to see you there…with a smile on your face and a guitar in your hands!
All the very best to each of you,
Sid Griffin
A letter from Richard…
Sid Griffin’s 2024 Long Ryders Workshopapalooza!
May 26th – June 1st – Borgo Poggio Bianco, Tuscany Italy
The following is what is included. This is based on 1 student coming alone.
It is encouraged to bring a partner but there is an additional charge to cover the food and taxes, which will be explained below.
All Tuition costs. Sid will be running the workshop 6 hours a day (10am-1pm & 3:30pm-6:30pm). On the last two days (Thursday and Friday) Sid will be joined by our workshop band, Guido (Bass) and Gianluca (Drums) for the afternoon sessions. You’ll get to play what you’ve learned with Sid and the band!
Room for 6 nights (1 workshop participant).
The rooms are large, meant for 2 people, with their own bathrooms. Also included, use of the pool and pool house. The entire property is at your disposal.
Meals The overall focus for all meals is, local, in season, and fresh.
– Breakfast (6 mornings. Monday – Saturday). Breakfast will be served at the Pool House each morning. Croissants, pastries, fruit, meats and cheeses, eggs made to order, coffee, tea, etc.
– Lunch (5 days. Monday – Friday). Weather permitting; lunch will be set up on tables outside the rehearsal room, it will be buffet style, so you can come and go as you please.
– Dinner (5 Evenings. Monday – Friday). Multiple courses featuring local Tuscan foods. Served at the Pool House.
There will be local wines and beers available for all meals. Some dinners may have special wines or drinks paired to the meals. There will be a stocked larder for the entire week in the main workshop house. Included will be snacks, essentials like Coffee, Teas, Water, Beer, Wine, etc.
Taxes All local taxes are included
Total cost … 2,550 Euro for EVERYTHING.
That’s the package.
OPTIONS
Although the workshop doesn’t officially start until Sunday evening, there is an option to arrive a day earlier, on Saturday, May 25th.. This gives you a little more time to relax and enjoy the property and the area before getting down to work on Monday.
If you would like to arrive on the Saturday, there is an additional fee of 200 Euro. Included in this fee is your room for an additional night, and breakfast on Sunday morning.
It is definitely encouraged to bring a companion as the property and the area are beautiful and there is plenty to sightsee. Also, the rooms are large and usually for couples. If you would like to bring someone that is not participating in the workshop there is an additional fee of 400 euro, this is to cover the expense of additional food, drink, taxes, etc.
Check-in on Sunday is between 3pm and 7:30pm. If you arrive earlier you are welcome to relax at the Pool House.
What is not included?
Travel to and from Poggio Bianco.
Meals on Saturday and Sunday are not paid for (breakfast is included Sunday morning if you are staying Saturday). We will eat in town at a local restaurant on Saturday, or we can make a meal at the house. This is an additional expense.
The offcial start of the Workshop is 7pm on Sunday when we all meet to introduce ourselves. That said, a selection of meats, cheeses, wine and beers, etc will be laid out at approx. 6pm on Sunday, at no additional cost.
As mentioned above, local wine and beers are included throughout your stay. If you want a different wine, alcohol, or any special requests, these can be made available for an additional cost.
To view more details of the property… borgopoggiobianco.net
