WOTTON Blues Festival is are able to offer some of its workshops completely free of charge to keen musicians. There are three guitar workshops, a guitar clinic with Rick Payne in which techniques will be demonstrated, a harmonica workshop plus a 'build a band' session. Demand is likely to be high so we are requesting that people book up to avoid disappointment.

On Saturday, there will be a Steve Page: Blues Workshop at 1pm in The Town Hall. This is a chance to learn some of the tricks of the trade for playing old-style delta blues - great guitar licks, classic walk downs and the fundamentals of slide guitar. You’ll need to bring an acoustic guitar and a

slide with you. Ideally your guitar should have a new set of strings if not bring spares.

At 5pm, Ben Hewlett will host at Harmonica Workshop at Under the Edge Arts. This will involve easy-to-learn harmonica shuffles and licks, 12 bar blues etc. Bring your own harmonica (10 hole), or buy one on the day. www.harmonica.co.uk

On Sunday, James Aldridge is hosting a guitar workshop at 1pm at Under the Edge Arts. This will involve electric blues guitar for rhythm and lead – 12 bar blues, extended & alternative chords, modes and phrasing and to give more variation to your playing. Bring your guitar and a small amp. You should have a basic understanding of rhythm and lead playing.

At 3pm, Chris Finch will be hosting a blues guitar workshop at the Star Inn. This will be for up to a maimum of 10 people with their own guitar with some basic level of competence. The focus will be on developing blues chord progressions, variations and basic level improvisation.

Finally, you are invited to 'Build a Band' at 5.30pm at Under the Edge Arts. This will be a fun session for Blues enthusiasts of all ages & abilities - bring any instrument (including spoons) and jam together. Try out the techniques you've learned at our other workshops. Numbers

limited only by the capacity of the Chipping Hall. We won't lift the roof off, but we can try!

These workshops are all free to attend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September, thanks to generous sponsorship from the Magnox Socio-economic Scheme.

Further details about the festival itself can be found at wottonbluesfest.org.

Workshop bookings and enquiries can be made with Jim Sinkinson 07527813404 orjamessinkinson16@gmail.com