Comments from previous masterclass and workshop attendees

Pierre Bensusan runs, in his home in France, a Residential Guitar Seminar Program dedicated to the acoustic guitar, for guitarists, amateurs, semi-pros and pros from all over the world.

Required Level
From intermediate to advanced
Pierre's residential seminars are dedicated to the acoustic guitar and opened to guitarists from all over the world, amateurs and professionals, playing any style, from various musical horizons, whatever the tuning.

Content

Study of acoustic steel string guitar in Fingerstyle, illustrated by various right and left hand techniques, posture, tone, rhythmic attention, phrasing, expression, exercises, excerts of Pierre’s compositions and pieces suggested by students. The aim being to reckognise the means, identify what we wish to play (to listen to), with the goal of bringing together technique, intuition, performance and pleasure.

While Pierre plays and compised exclusively in DADGAD tuning, this tuition is aimed for ALL guitarists, whatever the tuning they use.

The Way it Runs
The seminar is opened to a maximum of 8 guitarists at a time. There will be 25 hours of group lessons throughout the week, while Pierre looks after each student in his progression. There will be a short one to one meeting with Pierre at the end of the course.

A workshop with Pierre’s wife, Doatea Cornu-Bensusan, will address the relationship between the body and the instrument, through posture, breathing, coordination and rythmic integration.

NB: The seminar will be taught in English and/or French

When not in class, people study individually, in binomes and/or collectively. 

Location
The seminar takes place in Pierre & Doatea Bensusan's home, in the north of France, in a big 1830 renovated stone farm house with several buildings, located in a small and quiet village at the beginning of Champagne country, 9 km away from Chateau-Thierry, 1 hour east of Paris, 50 mn from Paris-CDG International airport. It is accessible by car (motorway A4) or by train (Chateau-Thierry). You will need a car for shopping, and in order to facilitate your logistical arrangements, should our students ask for it, we will provide the list of all the participants.

Accommodations
The accommodations are held on the same site in two houses, 8 bedrooms (6 singles and 2 doubles) and several bathrooms. Room assignments is depending on your date of registration: the first registered may get the singles if they wish. We also attribute the spaces to people on their arrival, following their taste: some people don't mind sharing a room, some do, and so forth. Our female students will get a private room automatically, unless they don't mind sharing a room with another female student. Couples enrolling will get a private room. Each student has a private space to study. There will be a welcoming breakfast on the morning of your arrival. The other meals are left to each one, and a private kitchen/dining room is on site with all the facilities.

NB: No smoking inside the premises.

Cost 
€ 990 (net). 

Including lessons and accommodations. Food is not included.

Reservation & Registration
A registration is confirmed from the moment a down payment of € 390 has been paid, via our securised online system. The balance of € 600 is to be paid in cash upon arrival. 


Cancellation Policy 

In case of cancellation, there will be no refund, instead the deposit will be kept as a credit against a future registration, under the following terms:

A) Cancellation more than 90 days from the start of the seminar: Your deposit, less a € 100 cancellation fee, may be applied to a future residential seminar held in France.

B) Cancellation within 90 days of the start of the seminar:
1 - If we subsequently fill the vacant spot in the seminar, your deposit, less a € 100 cancellation fee, may be applied to a future residential seminar held in France.

2 - If we do not subsequently fill the vacant spot in the seminar, your entire deposit will be forfeited.

3 - Should you cancel a second registration, your entire deposit will be forfeited.

NB: Should you not attend without having canceled, your entire deposit will be forfeited.

Weekly schedule
Here is typically the weekly schedule of a seminar.

Other Activities
When not in class, there will be free time for studying, exchanging, sharing, jams, visit the attractions in the area, such as the Cathedral of Reims (a 45mn drive), the ruins of a 10th century fortress, champagne vineyards, First World War battlefields and memorials, walks in the country, etc. Paris is a one hour drive or train ride away. Do some shopping or occasional visits to restaurants in Chateau-Thierry. Outside of class, however, participants find themselves quite busy and consider this short stay at the Bensusan's Household a music retreat.

Arrival in Paris
Should you fly, you will land at Paris CDG (Charles De Gaulle). All you need to know to attend, such as directions, logistics information and so forth, will be provided as soon as registration has been processed.

 

Feel free to contact us for any additional information
Information and registration

We look forward to welcome you soon.

Galleries

Residential Seminar Gallery

Photos showing previous classes and students from Pierre's residential guitar seminars.

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Bouresches Gallery

Photos showing Bouresches, a town close to where Pierre's residential guitar seminars take place.

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Château-Thierry Gallery

Photos showing the village of Château-Thierry where Pierre's residential guitar seminars take place

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