June 12 & 19, 2024, 7 PM

Free Music Workshops

Study World Rhythms and All Styles of Guitar

A series of free introductory in-person music workshops at the Cloverdale Arts Alliance taught by guitarist and Ancient Future bandleader Matthew Montfort starts with two 45 minute guitar workshops on June 12, 2024, and finishes with a one hour world rhythms workshop on June 19, 2024. After the series is complete, ongoing classes will be offered tailored to the individual goals of workshop participants.

Cloverdale Arts Alliance, 204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425
Sign up: [email protected].

Matthew Montfort Bio

Hi-Res Photo (300 dpi, 5″ x 3″)

Matthew Montfort is known as a world guitar innovator and an inspiring music instructor who helps students of all levels and ages learn whatever style they desire. He is on the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists list at DigitalDreamDoor.com along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D’Agostino. He is the leader of the world music group Ancient Future and performs on many instruments, including scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar 11 string fretless guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, flamenco guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan.

Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used at many music schools including the Berklee College of Music. Matthew Montfort was on the faculty of the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco for three decades where he taught rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical guitar, music theory, and world music. He teaches all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, charango, sitar, and mandolin as well as music theory for all instruments and rhythm classes based on his book.

Guitar Workshops

Poster (658k .pdf)

Free In-Person Beginning and Intermediate Guitar Workshops

Cloverdale Arts Alliance, 204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425
Sign up: [email protected]. Facebook Event.

Beginning Guitar
Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 7 to 7:45 PM

This free 45 minute introductory beginning workshop can help aspiring guitarists get started on the right track with good practice habits.

Intermediate Guitar
Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 7:45 to 8:30 PM

This free 45 minute workshop explores exercises, music notation, theory, and popular repertoire.

World Rhythms Workshop

Poster (565k .pdf)

Got Rhythm? Get the Beats of Africa, Bali, and India

Free 60 Minute In-Person Workshop
Juneteenth, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 7 to 8 PM
Cloverdale Arts Alliance, 204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425
Sign up: [email protected]. Facebook Event.
Coming soon: West African rhythm workshop, Balinese gamelan workshop, Indian tala workshop (all 90 minutes)

This workshop is a wonderful way to improve timing skills. Matthew Montfort’s book, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India, is the basis for this world music workshop and has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed rock and jazz drummer.

This free introductory workshop is presented in an easy to follow, entertaining yet educational format for all music lovers. African polyrhythms, Balinese kotèkan and Indian classical music were chosen as the source material for the training because these three traditions in combination cover the major types of rhythmic organization used in most of the world’s music.

Not just for percussionists, this workshop can help any musician, singer, dancer, or music lover improve their rhythmic skills. No musical background is required. Very simple to play percussion instruments will be provided, and participants are free to bring an instrument.

Additional 90 minute workshops each focusing on a single musical tradition will be be offered in the coming months.

Rhythm Training Materials

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort. Book/Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Soundfiles: $52.95 (SALE! Normally $69.95): Buy Link.

“You’ve heard Afro-Pop, sitar, gamelan and world music for years. But do you know what they are and how they work? Better yet, would you like to play those twisted cross-rhythms and melodies? In Ancient Traditions–Future Possibilities, Matthew Montfort, a founding member of the world music band Ancient Future, has put together the book for people who want to dig into world music with both hands. The first section of the book covers traditional music of West Africa, Bali and India with theories and exercises. Wherever possible, Montfort has provided beat counts alongside the standard musical notation so even if you can’t read music, you can still learn the rhythms. The last section of the book mixes patterns from different cultures, demonstrating the powerful music these simple exercises can generate.” – Richard Kadrey, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE