Introduction

Hi, I'm Marcus Bonfanti, and I've been asked by Music Gurus and Rock School to take you through some of the blues, country, and rock music on the course they offer.

My Musical Background

I suppose I've been asked to do this because of my background. Where I come from musically is a very blues and rock place. I play a lot of country as well. Here's a brief overview of my journey:

• Started out playing in rock and roll bands when I was younger
• Became a session musician for a while, playing with some pop music acts
• More recently, I've specialized in rock and blues

I've had the pleasure and privilege of working with some of my heroes, including:

• Eric Clapton
• David Gilmore
• Shuggie Otis
• Ginger Baker
• Van Morrison
• Tom Jones

I've learned a lot from these people, and the experience has been fantastic. I'm hoping to pass this knowledge, gathered over the last 15 years of being a professional musician, onto you through the Music Gurus and Rock School course.

The Journey Ahead

I've really enjoyed learning these pieces, as I'm sure you have too. There's a wealth of technique in them, ranging from:

• Simple but fundamental techniques at the beginning
• More complex techniques towards the higher grades

It's a big journey you're going on, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it with you.

Techniques We Will Explore

We'll be covering various techniques including:

• Double stops
• Pre bends
• Expansion into hybrid technique
• Pedal steel bends, where you pre-bend and hold notes

By the end of this course, you will have a lot of technique, and hopefully, a wealth of musicality and creative ideas in your playing that you can then take and develop further.

Solo Development

We will discuss:

• Building solos
• How to start and finish solos
• Expressing yourself musically

I'll be sharing many pointers and tips that I've cultivated over the years to help enhance your playing.

Conclusion

So, good luck with everything! I hope you gain a lot from this experience. I'm looking forward to teaching you.