BOB WINGATE TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN 2023

 I've been working off-and-on this entire year on my very first music album.  I've learned and learning so many things.  It's a brand new game when you take your music from the "front porch" to the world.

Projected Release Date : DEC 2023

__________________________________________________________________

Here You Go...   A Couple of Peeks to Perk Your Interest...

           A   C A T ' S   W A I L             W A R M   &  F U Z Z Y

__________________________________________________________________

I've posted a few demos and songs along the way.   I'll soon be releasing the entire album via various streaming platforms and on CD.   If you'd like more information, simple contact me and let me know.   

I hope all of my friends and musical acquaintances will reach out and support this new endeavor of mine.   Buy my new album!   T H A N K S !

NEW CLASSES & LESSONS BEGINNING- FALL 2023

Summer is almost over!!. . the care-freeness of the season has been overwhelmed by the intense heat that we've experienced this year.   Fall is actually a favorite season of mine, except for the fact that winter follows it.   If fall was preceded or followed by spring, it would be almost perfect for me.  I'm gonna have to get myself geared up for wearing multiple layers of clothing, and wrapping up in blankets this year!!

NEW CLASSES & LESSONS FOR FALL 2023

I'm looking forward to some new Lessons and Classes starting soon.   I begin private lessons once again on August 23.   I've been focusing on my Senior Classes the last couple of years, and now am going to try teaching privately again.   I've got two new students, and looking for a few more.   If you're interested, please contact me at bob.wingate@gmail.com for more details.

New Guitar Classes

N E W   G U I T A R   C L A S S E S   S T A R T E D  O N  J U L Y  1 0

New guitar classes started this Monday, July 10 at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.  There are four classes, three beginner and one intermediate.

Students may enroll each month at the front desk.  Class fees are $25 for one month.   Classes are ongoing.   A beginning class curriculum is followed for the first few months, then we continue with more classes to further develop a student's knowledge and technique.

CONCERT FOR ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHOIR

On Wed, August 15, our Rufty-Holmes Guitar Class went to perform and entertain for a social party for the St. John's Lutheran Choir group.   We met at a local community clubhouse, where about 40 or so choir members gathered for food and fellowship.

About five guitar students and two teachers played a selection of about 8-10 songs, which included two medleys, a summertime medley with "Under the Boardwalk" and "My Girl", and a love medley featuring two Elvis songs, "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Love Me Tender", along with the Beatles song "And I Love Her."  Additional songs included "Morning Has Broken";  the Monkees hit "Daydream Believer"; and ending with a Jimmy Buffet song "Margaritaville."

One song we didn't play that night, but are working on is "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft.  Some other new songs we may be learning are "Here, There & Everywhere" (Beatles); "Heart of Gold" (Neil Young); and a rocking medley of "La Bamba/Twist & Shout."

As you can see, we like to have fun in our guitar class.  I'd like to extend two invitations to anyone reading this.  

• First of all, if you are 50 or older, and would like to have the joy of learning guitar with us, come and join the fun! 

• Secondly, if you have a group and would like for us to come provide some entertainment, please call on us and we will try to schedule with you.

We are currently looking at scheduling a few concerts for the holiday season in November and December.  Let us know if you would like for us to come and entertain for you.

THANKS

Rufty-Holmes Guitar Class

New Classes Starting Nov. 7th

The actual starting dates for Fall 2018 guitar classes will be:

• Monday Sept 10   &   Monday December 5th.

     We will start New Guitar Classes on Monday, Sept 10.  This class is an eight-week class, spanning the months of September and October.

     Our Holiday / Christmas class will begin on Monday, Dec. 5th and will be a six-week class, during November and December.   We will have two dates off for Christmas (Dec. 24) and New Year's (Dec 31).

     As is our usual custom, during our Holiday class, we will focus on learning holiday songs and tunes, including secular and religious songs and hymns. Examples would be Greensleeves, Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, and Silver Bells, among others.

     After a month of practice, we will continuing learning the songs, and also go out into the community for several Holiday Concerts in December at various senior and community centers.   We always have a great time of fun and fellowship, and our senior friends enjoy the entertainment.

Come & Join Us for a Great Time of Fun & Learning!

 For More Information, Call Bob @ 704-640-0279

To Sign Up for a Class, call RHSC @ 704-216-7714

Wildwood Flower Video

Pro Spotlight Award

 Thumbtack has awarded me the 

Pro Spotlight as a Guitar Teacher.

Learn More about GuiTarHeel

GUITAR CLASSES

     I teach guitar classes at Rufty--Holmes Senior Center on Mondays.  There are three classes--- two beginner classes and one intermediate class-- each one is meant to be graduated-- that is, three different or seperate levels.   

     We usually start new classes on the first or second Mondays of odd months (January, March, May, July, September, and November) and they normally run through the last Monday of the even months.

Here is my business card--- please feel free 

to ask for more info or to promote our class to your friends.

The Spider Exercise

THE SPIDER EXERCISE

(11 mins)

A short video explaining and demonstrating the Spider Exercise, 

which is basically a chromatic six-string warm-up exercise that helps to 

stretch the fingers and develop dexterity and discipline in note playing.

Visit My Thumbtack Guitar Profile

You are invited to visit my THUMBTACK Guitar profile 

--- just click on the Spotlight button below.

_________________________________

BOB WINGATE

GUITAR TEACHER

_________________________________

While you're there--- if you are a friend or a former student---

you are invited to leave a Review

THANK YOU!

 

NEW CHRISTMAS SONGS

     Hello-- we've been working as a class this Nov and Dec session on Christmas and holiday songs.   We usually do this every year, in preparation for going out into the community and performing a few concerts for retirement homes, the YMCA,  and other community venues.

     Go over to our Songs page and check out our Christmas songs, and join in learning these songs with us!

CLICK HERE to go to our CHRISTMAS SONGS

229 Songs With Four Guitar Chords

   I found this article on Facebook and wanted to share it with you.  I haven't taken a good look at it yet, but it promises to be a valuable tool for you to learn some new songs.

229 Easy Songs With Just Four Guitar Chords

    On second look, it's a rather elementary lesson, with just chords and songs listed.  No real instruction.   Some of the song titles have ---titles that I don't really approve--- so I'm guessing that I wouldn't approve of the songs either, but I'm still going to keep the link here.

   You can use this as you wish.  There are many, many MORE songs that you can learn with just four chords.  220 just scratches the surface.  And of course, if you have five, six, etc chords under your belt, then the sky's the limit.

   Refer to my tools on here entitled "Plus One--Minus One" which shows you how to take five basic chords, and by adding or subtracting just one note, you can expand your chord repertoire to nineteen (19) chords.

Muriel Anderson--- NC Shows

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Asheville & Charlotte

Muriel Anderson Concert

  EXCITING NEWS-- Muriel has agreed to teach my Guitar Classes a one-hour guitar lesson prior to her show this Friday, Oct. 23 !   

Love Your Guitar

GuiTarHeel / Guitar Blog

I’m a guitarist and a guitar teacher.  You might imagine a stereotypical character… one that carries his guitar case around with him everywhere he goes.  Someone that is ready to serenade at the drop of a hat.   But nothing could be farther from the actual truth.  I don’t always want to play the guitar.  I’ve gone stretches of days and weeks without playing in the past.  Sometimes I am just not in the mood to even look at a guitar, much less play one.  I wish that this weren’t true, but it is.  And I’ve learned to live with it, and with myself and my own mental and emotional quirks.

This doesn’t mean that I do not love to play guitar.  I absolutely enjoy and adore playing… most of the time. As you begin to practice more and more, you will find that it is less and less of a routine, and more and more of a love in your life.  You will look at your guitar as a friend, a companion.  It eventually seems to take on a life of its own.  You reach for it at certain times, when you’re lonely, or frustrated, or even happy.  And it brings a sense of peace and contentment as you are able to create a melody or tune.

There is definitely a learning curve and a time of adjustment.  You feel awkward with your guitar at first.  It is like a stranger to you.  You may even experience some pain and discomfort in playing.  But most of the time, this is a natural occurrence.  Being able to exercise control over your instrument does not happen overnight.  In fact, you may feel as if it is controlling or overwhelming you.  It is at these times that you must persist and press on.  You will eventually win this battle, and you will come to a place where it is no longer a difficult experience, but one of enjoyment and even excitement.

Segovia said it well : “The guitar is the easiest instrument to play, and the hardest one to play well.”  Do not get discouraged in your journey to play the guitar.  Do not count it a six-week or eight-week goal.  Count it as a lifetime pursuit.  If you aim high, and do not give up, you will see results soon.  It will eventually get easier, not harder.  You will begin to be able to play notes, and chords, and songs.  And maybe even create your own tunes.

Don’t sell yourself short.  I’ve “quit” playing many times, but not forever.  I’ve always picked it back up again.  After a season, I’ve always been drawn back to my guitar.   I enjoy holding it, playing it, feeling my fingers glide across the strings, and hearing the melodies coming from it.   It’s a joy.   And it will be for you too.

© 2014  Bob Wingate/ GuiTarHeel Music

LICK LESSON

   I just published a new Lesson here on a standard Bluegrass Lick in the key of G.  It has a complimentary set of notes and tips on learning the lick, as well as a couple of YouTube video links by other players that demonstrate playing it.  You'll immediately recognize this riff/lick as one you've heard many times before in country and bluegrass tunes.

  Click on this Link to access this Lesson :  LEARN THE LICK LESSON

  Thanks for using the GUITARHEEL website in helping you to learn the Guitar!   Please come back often to catch up and find more valuable guitar tools and lessons.

Slow, Sultry Summer

   Not much has been going on this summer.  The weather has been very hot and humid.  My guitar classes have dropped off to about 12--15 students spread over two classes.  I did have three classes, but the first ABC (absolute beginners) class dropped down to one or two due to vacations, illnesses, and busy schedules.  Then last week, there was a unique occurrence : the first week ever that NO ONE showed for one of my classes.  My helper and I put the guitars down and went and shot pool for awhile.  It was a nice break, but I'd much rather be busy teaching guitar.

     Hopefully, things will pick up in July or September (my classes start every other month).  Looking ahead, I'm looking forward to having a good group back for the Fall.  But for the time being, we press ahead with the group we've got.  It's not as much fun with less people, but it's important not to let down or give up in the midst of disappointment.

"SPRING INTO SUMMER"

CONCERT SERIES @ THE INN in SALISBURY NC

http://guitargigs.blogspot.com/2015/03/spring-into-summer-concert-series-inn.html


The Randy Stonehill concert for June 6 was cancelled but
is to be rescheduled for the fall.

Phil Keaggy Concert Review / LIVE at Lee Street

PHIL KEAGGY Concert Review  /  LIVE at Lee Street

Photo Courtesy of Tripp Edwards

CLICK HERE FOR CONCERT REVIEW

PHIL KEAGGY --- TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Tickets still available.  Only about 100 seats left. 

Get your tickets now at 704-310-5507