Course Description

Dr Simon Nelson

Simon Nelson

Simon Nelson, guitar teacher, B. Mus., M.A., Ph. D.Simon Nelson – guitarist/songwriterSimon Nelson has been a professional guitarist for 30 years. Simon has lived and toured all over the world, including the USA, Bermuda and Australia.Initially self taught, he later felt he ought to “know” something about music, and took a Bachelor of Music degree at Goldsmiths College, a Master of Arts at City University and a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at City University. For the latter he wrote a thesis on the origins and evolution of blues guitar.As a session musician Simon has recorded for the ABC in Australia, and the BBC in the UK. He has played in a touring band at Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Belfast and Newcastle Arenas, the O2 and the Albert Hall with Joss Stone, Ms. Dynamite, Heather Small, Beverley Knight, Paul Jones (Manfred Mann), Des’ree, Alexandra Burke, Helen Shapiro, Candi Staton, Mavis Staples, and Jocelyn Brown.In a worship context Simon has played in bands with Andy Piercy, Charlie Groves, Nick Herbert and Nick Drake. He has been in Dave Bilbrough’s band since 1997, appearing on Dave’s last 6 albums – including the award winning DVD This Is My Worship and People Of Promise. He has appeared regularly on The God Channel and Songs of Praise. He has recently appeared on Songs of Praise playing with Dana, Candi Staton, Paul Jones and Mavis Staples.Simon plays original music with his co-writer / brother Steve Nelson – www.nelsonbrothers.co.uk. The two brothers are also currently playing in an original band (Sadie and the Hotheads) with Oscar nominated Hollywood actress Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey).Simon has taught guitar for 20 years, and has, over the last 10 years, taught courses in guitar in the worship context for Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), Kensington Temple, St. Michael’s Chester Square, St. Mary’s Bryanston Square and Oasis, Colliers Wood.Simon also runs the cover band Pastiche: Pastiche Band have played for parties and events at top UK venues such as Claridges, The Ritz, The Dorchester, The Gherkin, Gleneagles, and St James’s Palace (for a Royal birthday party!): www.pasticheband.com

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Improvers Worship Guitar - Session 1

    • Improvers Session 1

    • 5 Major, 3 Minor Chords

    • The 5 guitar keys

    • Waiting Here For You

    • Holy Spirit

    • 4/4 8ths rhythms

  • 2

    Improvers Session 2

    • Improvers Session 2

    • When the Music Fades

    • 16ths rhythms

    • No Longer Slaves

  • 3

    Improvers Session 3

    • Improvers Session 3

    • Amazing Grace

    • Chord construction - 7ths

    • 7th chord shapes

  • 4

    Improvers Session 4

    • Improvers Session 4

    • Diatonic 7ths keys of C, G and D

    • Be Still

    • Clinging to the Cross

  • 5

    Improvers Session 5

    • Improvers Session 5

    • More Love

    • Chord scales

    • 26 More Love Em

    • 26 More Love Em

    • 4/4 semi-quaver

  • 6

    Improvers Session 6

    • Improvers Session 6

    • Pedal Notes in G, C and D

    • Your Love is Amazing

    • Spirit Break Out

    • 10,000 Reasons

    • Here for You

  • 7

    Improvers Session 7

    • Improvers Session 7

    • Waiting Here For You G

    • Psalm 23

    • Finger Picking Psalm 23

    • Over The Mountains

    • Here is Love

    • Oceans

  • 8

    Improvers Session 8

    • Improvers Session 8

    • Diatonic 7th chords keys of C, G and D

    • Jesus, Name Above All Names

    • 4/4 semi-quaver rhythms

    • 15 Our God

    • Our God

    • 16th rhythms

    • 15 16th rhythms

    • 16th rhythms

  • 9

    Improvers Session 9

    • Improvers Session 9

    • 5 keys

    • Better is One Day

    • Pedal Notes E

    • Over The Mountains E

  • 10

    Improvers Session 10

    • Improvers Session 10

    • Added notes

    • The 33 shapes

    • 10,000 Reasons

    • Waiting Here For You

    • Facedown F

    • Facedown C

    • Picking Facedown