Totally sort out your guitar playing at the 2026
"Art Of The Blues" Acoustic Guitar Retreat
After the success of the 2025 retreat, Chris Quinn and Remi Harris are joining forces again!
Taking place in Shrewsbury, England on the border of Wales, we invite players of all levels to attend this inclusive, fun course designed to transform your guitar playing.
Whether you're a near beginner or a more advanced guitarist, you'll discover the essential skills needed for playing, soloing, understanding and having fun with the blues and most importantly, exactly how to implement them.
If you're just starting out on your blues journey or have played for many years, you'll leave with a solid understanding of the blues, new techniques and musical concepts to add to your playing and a whole new approach to guitar.
Plus... you'll have a blast, meet likeminded people and spend a week immersed in guitar.
"Acoustic Mastery"
Guitarist Magazine on Chris
"His Timing is set in granite"
Blues & Soul Magazine on Chris
"Brilliant!!!! Your playing is spectacular"
Peter Frampton on Remi
"Remi Harris is one of the great guitarists we have in this country, an absolutely extraordinary musician" - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
If you want to come, sign up today places are very limited to keep group sizes at a comfortable level and to maximise your learning experience!
I can't wait to see you there,
Cheers, Chris
What To Expect
🎸 Master the blues scales
🎸 12 bar blues progressions
🎸 Improvisation secrets
🎸 All time classic blues songs
🎸 Jazzin' up the blues
🎸 Playing over changes
🎸 Delta blues riffs, turnarounds & intros
🎸 Opening up the fretboard
🎸 Great stock, licks and phrases
🎸 Group playing
🎸 Blues theory explained
🎸 Relaxed Evening Jam sessions
🎸 Play at the public retreat concert (optional)
🎸 Full board accommodation
🎸 5 days & nights of blues heaven!
Roots Music Retreats courses are carefully designed to be relaxed, inclusive, inspiring and most importantly suitable for all levels of musician, from novice to advanced.
You'll receive exclusive access to online video tutorials with videos covering some of the main lessons taught on the retreat. So you won't forget any of the juicy stuff and can practice and continue learning when you get home.
National Press Reviews of teacher Chris Quinn:
Blues & Soul Magazine
"His Timing Is Set In Granite!"
Blues in Britain Magazine
"Expect Dazzling Expertise"
"Art Of The Blues" 2026 Retreat Schedule
Sunday (hotel check in from 3pm)
4:45 pm - 5:30 pm Welcome drinks reception in the hotel bar
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm Welcome group seminar / Workshop 1 - Group Jam / Introductions
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Dinner in the hotel restaurant
8:30 pm - 10:30pm Relaxed acoustic jam in hotel bar
Monday
7:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Workshop 2 "Fundamentals of The Blues, progressions, chords, all time classic songs.
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Buffet lunch for all students
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Workshop 3 "The Blues Scales - Opening Up The Fretboard"
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm River walk through the quarry park with Chris!
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Dinner in the hotel restaurant
8:30 pm - 10:30pm Relaxed acoustic jam session in local pub, 2 min walk from the hotel
Tuesday
7:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast in the Hotel restaurant
10:30 am - 12:00 pm Workshop 4 "Licks, phrases and tasty Blues patterns..."
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Q&A with local Luthier JWJ
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Buffet lunch for all students
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Workshop 5 "Delta Blues intro's, turnarounds and motif's"
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Dinner in the hotel restaurant
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Acoustic jam in the hotel bar
Wednesday
7:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Workshop 6 "Blues Improvisation Hacks"
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Buffet lunch for all students
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Workshop 7 "Group dynamics, Classic songs"
7:45 pm - 9:00 pm Group curry at Cafe Safron, Hills Lane (additional cost)
Thursday
7:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
10:30 am - 12:30 pm Workshop 8 "Pulling it all together / performance preparation
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm Buffet lunch for all students
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Rehearsals / performance preparation
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm Full concert rehearsal
5:45 pm - 7:00 pm Dinner in the hotel restaurant
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Live concert in St Alkmund's Church
9:00 pm onwards - Celebratory jam in the hotel bar
Friday
7:30 am - 11:00 am Breakfast in the hotel restaurant
11:00am - Hotel check out
Goodbye's.. SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!
* ALL FOOD & ACCOMMODATION INCLUDED IN RETREAT PRICE
ONLY EXTRA COST IS THE BLUES RETREAT CURRY.
Acoustic Masterclass
Want to start learning with Chris today?
Visit AcousticMasterclass.com, the online guitar academy and global community of students learning all things Blues, Folk and Roots guitar! CLICK HERE
Chris at Kings Place London pre performance at the IGF London Guitar Festival
Chris with Martin Taylor
Chris with Andy Fairweather Low
(Eric Clapton's musical director)
