Come and join me for a unique once in a lifetime experience in one of the most beautiful locations in Amsterdam, The Netherlands!
Indulge yourself for 4 days & nights with personalized instruction and creative jam sessions designed to inspire breakthroughs whilst removing any doubts or sticking points from your playing. This is not your standard gypsy jazz workshop, but an exclusive, high end and intimate retreat where I will be applying some of my new methods to push you in all areas of your guitar playing. I also want us to work together to bring out your unique voice within the gypsy jazz genre based on your current skill level and guitar playing background.
We’ll be rounding off the retreat with a gig together where we can have big fun in front of a live audience!
I’ll help you prepare for the retreat with a personal Skype coaching session and we’ll set you up with instant access to all the valuable bonus online material so you can start improving right away.
Improved Technique
Improved technique and a new level of confidence as a guitarist.
Gypsy Jazz
Together we’ll transport you from where you are now to where you want to be which is a confident jamming and possibly even gigging gypsy jazz guitarist.
Inspiration
Spend four days getting inspiration and making new friends.
Progress Your Playing
You’ll learn plenty of new skills and exercises to continue to progress your playing.
Build Your Repertoire
During the Retreat we’ll build up your stash of hot gypsy jazz tunes to add to your repertoire.
A Gig Together
Together with Ian Date, we’ll all be performing a gig before a live audience at the legendary Amsterdam gypsy jazz venue Kapitein Zeppos!
Workshop 1 – Rhythm Refresher Drill and Assessment
This is all about gypsy rhythm and I’ll be showing you how to do it right. We’ll dive into ‘La Pompe’ and Swing as well as the Bossa, Bolero, Samba, Waltz and Funk feels. Forget old bad habits and let me show you up close in detail the techniques needed to get these rhythms sounding great.
Workshop 2 – Soloing – A New Perspective For Fast Results
We’ll be breaking new ground here into the world of soloing and improvising over the most common gypsy jazz chord progressions. This is a 3 pronged approach where we’ll be learning Authentic Gypsy Licks and Phrases, Ear Training Drills and the Art of Flow which when tapped into will give your solos that magic touch of class every time.
Workshop 3 – Gig Ready Boot Camp Session
In this session we’ll be learning all the tools and techniques you need to deliver a stellar live performance. Intros that get the song flying before you’ve played the melody. Endings that guarantee applause. How to deal with Nerves and Stage Fright. How to make a Killer Set List. Key Changes that aren’t cheesy. Mindset and Concentration. How to Memorize Songs plus more practical and useful tricks that will upgrade your performances.
Workshop 4 – Playing Together and Making Music
This is where we’ll learn the art of ensemble playing and the tools we need to make sweet music together. We’ll dig deep into all the different live combinations we find ourselves in on stage or at a jam. The Roles of playing Rhythm and Lead guitar. Duo playing and how to Accompany using Bass Lines. How to successfully play 4’s with another soloist. Rhythm Solos that impress. The Art of Dynamics. How to make your own Arrangements. Telepathy and how to go with the moment plus many more techniques I’ve learnt and want to share.
Workshop 5 – New Secrets Of Gypsy Jazz Guitar
In this last session I’ll be revealing the New Secrets of Gypsy Jazz Guitar. These are some of my most private and close to my heart techniques and ideas that I want you to take home with you. These techniques will make a difference and add that magic sparkle to your playing that others will notice too.You’ll also learn some daily Practice Routines that will insure you retain all the lessons learnt during the retreat.
If you’ve studied any of my online courses or lessons then coming to learn with me is the next step where we can focus on your playing in a secluded environment with no distractions. This is a chance for you to benefit from some tailor made and personalized instruction in one-on-one and group settings.
Getting It Together – “Together”
When you enroll we’ll start off by arranging a Skype consultation where we can chat and assess where you’re at and where you want to go with your gypsy jazz guitar playing.
I’ll then know exactly what we’ll be working on together in Los Angeles to maximise your results during the retreat and beyond.
On The Road To “Gig Ready”
We are booked to play a live gig together on the Thursday at the legendary ‘Kapitein Zeppos’’ in Amsterdam. In preparation for the gig, we’ll spend some of our workshop time focusing on all aspects of pulling off a successful gig and leaving the audience wanting more.
You’ll learn how to put together a killer set list and how to make each tune a hit. We’ll even talk about how to deal with nerves, stagefright. and remembering the chords in a pinch. We’ll then form our own duos, trios and other group ensembles to make up the concert programme. Performing at the gig is totally optional and there will be plenty of opportunities throughout the retreat to jam with me and the rest of the group off stage.
Private Membership Website
I’ve created a new online course for you called Gypsy Jazz Foundations. Here you’ll be learning fundamental lessons on gypsy jazz guitar which will ensure we’re ready to breakthrough on the retreat. I’ll also be posting all the workshop video footage plus gig performances here so you can enjoy them for ever.
Monday 8th July 2019
6pm Champagne Reception at Kapitein Zeppos
6:30pm Dinner
8pm Jam Session & Drinks at Kapitein Zeppos
Tuesday 9th July 2019
10am Workshop #1 Rhythm
12.30pm Lunch
2pm Workshop #2 Soloing
8pm Dinner
9pm Jam Session in Kapitein Zeppos
Wednesday 10th July 2019
10am Workshop #3 Gig Ready Bootcamp
12.30pm Lunch
2pm Workshop #4 Making Music Together
6.30pm Dinner
8pm Jam Session in Kapitein Zeppos
Thursday 11th July 2019
10am Ian Date – The Django Reinhardt Gypsy Jazz Masterclass
12.30pm Lunch
2pm Workshop #5 New Secrets Of Gypsy Jazz Guitar
7.30pm Dinner
8.30pm Gig Together with Ian Date in Kapitein Zeppos
Friday 12th July 2019
10am Amsterdam Scenic Canal Cruise
12pm Farewell Group Lunch, Kapitein Zeppos
The Location – Amsterdam
This city, full of colorful homes, canals and bridges, is one of Europe’s most picturesque capitals. Must-sees on any visitor’s itinerary include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the world’s only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals navigating Amsterdam’s labyrinthine streets, or just take in the sights on foot.
Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world’s most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world.
Ian Date is regarded as one of Australia’s great guitar players and has recorded and performed with guitar luminaries like Fapy Lafertin, Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel. Firmly rooted in the jazz tradition he took an early interest in the Django Reinhardt style and is the patron of the annual Oz Manouche festival in Australia. Highly regarded as an educator Ian has a deep knowledge about all aspects of guitar playing accrued over 45 years of playing the instrument.
“Ian you we’re bloody significant at the Robin Nolan event in Amsterdam, you motivated, inspired and entertained us all for four days!”
-Andy Clark UK
Q. When and where does the Gypsy Jazz Breakthrough Retreat take place?
A.The Gypsy Jazz Breakthrough Retreat takes place in Amsterdam on July 8-12, 2019. Upon registering you will set up a Skype consultation with Robin to discuss your skill level and goals.
Q. Is lodging provided?
A. No. You’ll find many options for lodging in Amsterdam online including great local hotels and AirBnB.com.
Q. Are meals provided?
A. Yes Lunches and Dinners are provided. We’ll all be hanging out and dining together each afternoon and evening.
Q. I’m a beginner to gypsy jazz – is it for me?
A. For each of the 5 breakthrough workshops in Los Angeles, I will be starting from the beginning. The basics and fundamentals are so important & no one will be left behind.
Beginners and newbies are welcome! I’ll also be spending time with each student on a private
Skype call before the retreat to go over what each player is looking for.
Q. How many students are you taking?
A. I’m limiting the group to 20 students so that everyone will receive my personal attention, and to keep the group intimate. We will all learn more this way and have more time to play and jam.
Q. Can I buy the online courses on their own?
A. No, the courses and retreat are intended to work together to provide you with a blended learning experience. The courses will teach you the various techniques and concepts while the retreat will allow you to go deeper by learning directly with Robin as well as collaborating and jamming with other fellow students.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. You can receive a full refund minus any credit card fees within the first 30 days of booking. Please consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected occurrences.
Q. What should I bring with me?
A. All you need to bring is your guitar and plenty of enthusiasm!
Q. Will the Gypsy Jazz Breakthrough Retreat be recorded?
A. Yes, the workshop teaching sections of the Gypsy Jazz Breakthrough Retreat will be recorded, and posted privately for you to review in the future.
Q. What if I have a question that’s not listed here?
A. If you have additional questions, please email me at [email protected]