Virtual Guitar Lessons for NB & PEI

Soldier On, in collaboration with an instructor from Long and McQuade, will host a 10-week virtual guitar lessons program. These sessions will run once a week on Mondays starting on the 4th of October to the 13th of December.

This activity will bring together both serving and retired ill/injured CAF members, allowing participants to connect through peer support and encourage a healthy and creative lifestyle.

This virtual event will serve as an introduction to a variety of cords, strum patterns and the ability to learn basic songs. Classes will all be live and interactive with no more than five participants per group, giving the instructors and participants the ability to communicate in real time.

Guitars will be provided for participants who do not yet have a guitar.

• Participants will be given the opportunity to learn how to play guitar through virtual instruction via Zoom and hands on experience.
• Participants will contribute their own suggestions for the repertoire of pieces studied, a factor which is a great motivator in promoting autonomous progress outside of the workshops.
• A typical session features audio visual introduction of techniques, listening exercises that explore technique application in pieces of music, and musical performance following along to backing tracks and a visual scroll, with expert instructor feedback throughout.
• Participants will need a computer or tablet with web camera capability and a stable internet connection for the lessons.

The number of Soldier On participants is limited to 10.

Minimum eligibility criteria
Any serving member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from the province of New Brunswick and Prince-Edward-Island who acquired a permanent physical or mental health illness or injury while enrolled as a member of the CAF; whether attributable or not to service.

Serving Members
Medical clearance may be required by your chain of command.

Mental & Physical Requirements
Participants must be able to tolerate one hour of light-paced virtual lessons once a week for 10 weeks.
Participants will be joined with other ill/injured members and civilians, and therefore should be able to function in a social environment.