Guitar Classes
Guitar Classes with Patryk Cutajar
A Structured Path to Mastering the Guitar
The Space offers weekly guitar classes in Malta designed for all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner learning the basics, an intermediate player refining your technique, or an advanced musician mastering complex concepts, our courses provide structured guidance to enhance your musical ability.
- Kids (Ages 6-11) – Fun and interactive lessons designed to introduce young learners to music.
- Beginner – Build a solid foundation with essential chords, rhythm, and basic melodies.
- Intermediate – Expand fretboard knowledge, develop technical skills, and strengthen improvisation.
- Advanced – Elevate your playing with intricate techniques, extended chords, and expressive soloing.
Meet Your Tutor
Patryk Cutajar
Guitar & Music Theory
Patryk Cutajar is an innovative and forward-thinking musician known for his diverse output, which spans genres from jazz to rock. Widely recognised for his work with the jazz-rock trios VAKE and The Ranch, Patryk is also known for his creative use of live effects. In addition, he has been instrumental in the formation of the cross-disciplinary project Ċirku and has launched his solo career, releasing five singles in 2024. With over 10 years of experience in tutoring private students at all levels, Patryk offers expert guidance to those looking to start their guitar journey or take their playing to the next level.
Class Sylabus
Introduction
The course will be held weekly, starting on May 12th, with no set end date. The tutor for this course will be Patryk Cutajar. This syllabus outlines the topics covered, aiming to build a strong foundation for guitarists of all levels and facilitate their musical progress.
Goals of these Classes
- Develop foundational skills for playing simple songs, improving rhythm, and enhancing ear training.
- Equip beginner students with the ability to play confidently and independently.
- Enhance intermediate students’ fretboard knowledge, technical skills, and musical applications.
- Refine advanced students’ technical proficiency, theoretical knowledge, and improvisational ability.
- Introduce kids to the joy of music through engaging and fun exercises.
Evaluation
Assignments
- Students will receive weekly assignments and practice guides to follow.
Performance Opportunities
- Students will have opportunities to showcase their progress through performances evaluated by the instructor.
Workshops & Collaborations
- Occasionally, there may be opportunities to collaborate with locally and internationally acclaimed guitarists for special workshops. These sessions, when available, will offer students valuable insights, advanced techniques, and unique perspectives from experienced musicians.
Lessons to be Covered
Beginner Classes
1. Foundational Techniques
- Introduction to the guitar: tuning, posture, and maintenance.
- Learning basic open chords (E minor, A minor, G, C, D).
- Simple strumming patterns with a focus on timing and rhythm.
- Basic ear training: recognising chord changes and simple melodies.
2. Expanding Skills
- Adding more open chords (D minor, A major, E major, etc.).
- Chord transitions: exercises for smooth switching between chords.
- Introduction to simple melodies using single strings.
- Playing along with easy songs.
3. Combining Techniques
- Combining melody and chords for simple arrangements.
- Learning to read tablature and basic music notation.
- Strumming and rhythm variations (e.g., accents and syncopation).
- Playing a complete song by the end of the course.
Intermediate Classes
1. Fretboard Mastery
- Major and minor scales across the neck (CAGED system).
- Interval training: understanding and identifying intervals.
- Exercises for building speed and finger independence.
2. Forming Chords
- Constructing chords: understanding triads and seventh chords.
- Diatonic chord progressions in major and minor keys.
- Applying theoretical knowledge to create harmonic variations.
3. Musical Applications
- Combining rhythm and lead playing seamlessly.
- Learning iconic riffs or solos and analyzing their structure.
- Improvising over backing tracks using scales and arpeggios.
Advanced Classes
1. Advanced Techniques
- Mastering alternate picking, economy picking, and hybrid picking.
- Incorporating legato techniques (hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides).
- Sweep picking and tapping exercises for technical proficiency.
2. Complex Chords & Harmonic Concepts
- Extended chords (9th, 11th, 13th) and their applications.
- Modal interchange and advanced chord substitutions.
- Understanding and applying complex time signatures.
3. Improvisation & Performance
- Developing improvisational skills with modal theory.
- Creating dynamic solos using phrasing and articulation techniques.
- Playing in different musical styles (jazz, blues, rock, fusion).
Kids Classes (Ages 6-11)
1. Introduction to the Guitar
- Learning the parts of the guitar and how to hold it properly.
- Basic strumming and simple rhythms using open strings.
- Fun exercises to build finger strength and coordination.
2. First Chords and Melodies
- Learning simple one-finger and two-finger chords.
- Playing easy melodies from familiar songs.
- Introduction to counting beats and basic rhythm.
3. Playing with Confidence
- Strumming along to songs with basic chord changes.
- Understanding musical dynamics (loud vs. soft, fast vs. slow).
- Fun group exercises to build musical confidence.
Prices & Timetables
Wednesday
Kids: 16:30 – 17:30
Beginners: 18:30 – 19:30
Thursday
Intermediate: 18:30 – 19:30
Advanced: 19:30 – 20:30
Prices
- per month
- 6 – 11 years old
- per month
- 12 years old +