The Camp
Jam Camp Italy is focussed around learning classic tracks, breaking them down, understanding how and why these tracks are so amazing and getting under the skin of the techniques involved in creating these tunes. You will LEARN, PRACTISE and PERFORM the tunes!
Safe Space
The Jam Camp is a ‘Safe Guitar and Bass’ environment! We are supportive of all, no matter what level you may be at. Guitar Breaks is all about helping you feel comfortable so that everyone brings something positive to the workshop.
The Jam Camp focuses on classic artists, learning key songs and jamming them. You get the chance to play alongside other guitarists and bass players, receiving guidance and advice from Pete and Pat on how to generate those killer tones and nail authentic performances.
Guitar Breaks in Italy is your opportunity to spend a week in beautiful surroundings learning, jamming and hanging with two of today’s greatest guitarists and bassists.
Pete Friesen
Pete started playing guitar for Alice Cooper in 1989 on Alice’s world tour. A live DVD was recorded at the Birmingham NEC. Pete went on to do the European tour of Alice’s next album “Hey Stoopid”, also appearing alongside Alice in the movie “Wayne’s World”.
Pete then joined the rock band The Almighty, releasing 3 albums. The band toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan. In 1997 Pete returned to Alice Cooper’s band to do several more tours. A live DVD from the “Brutal Planet” tour was recorded at Hammersmith Apollo, released in 2000.
In the summer of 2000 Pete played a string of summer festival dates with Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s solo band. In 2014 Pete played guitar in the Ray Davies/ Kinks musical “Sunny Afternoon”.
Pete is a highly experienced educator and is a long time friend of the team at Guitar Breaks. We love him and we know you will too!
Pat Hughes
Pat is an accomplished bassist and educator with a career spanning decades of live performances, studio collaborations, and teaching. A graduate of Basstech in London, where he earned the title of “Best Overall Student,” Pat has since built an impressive portfolio of musical accomplishments.
As a performer, Pat has toured extensively around the world, playing with well known artists including Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers), punk-poet John Cooper Clarke and 80s icon Toyah Willcox, alongside critically acclaimed bands such as Headnoise, The Disorientee, and Wanton & Blithe.
In addition to his performance career, Pat has been a dedicated educator since 2001, teaching at leading modern music colleges. Known for his versatility, Pat is skilled in teaching students of all levels. His expertise encompasses bass performance, stylistic versatility, advanced techniques, transcribing, music theory, and ear training.
With his unique ability to adapt to diverse musical styles and his extensive experience in both live and studio settings, Pat remains a sought-after performer, collaborator, and educator in the global music community. He is also a great friend to Guitar Breaks!
Check out Villa Pia and the surrounding area:
Venue
Our venue and accommodation for this camp is the award-winning traditional 15th century Italian manor house Villa Pia Family Hotel located on the stunning Tuscany / Umbria border.
Set in its own grounds and next to a medieval castle in the hilltop village of Lippiano, Villa Pia is the perfect ‘get away’ location.
The Detail
See below for more information about this event, how to travel to us and what to expect.
You have a number of different options available to you.
Once you have decided on your chosen accommodation (depending on availability), you can choose to either reserve your place by paying the deposit, or you can confirm your place by paying the full amount.
**Want to bring your non-playing partner? No problem!
If you are a guitarist or bassist who is planning to attend the workshop AND you would like your partner to join you at the hotel, choose:
- an ‘Ensuite Single Occupancy’ room for you
- and then add a ‘Partner Sharing with Guitarist’ for your partner.
Accommodation Options:
SHARED TWIN ROOM – Full Fee: £1695 / Deposit: £695
(price is per person, based on two guitar players sharing). Buddy up with a friend or be paired with a fellow attendee.
Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation – 2 musicians sharing a twin room
- Breakfast, buffet lunch and set menu dinner at the hotel
- Use of a shared bathroom (shared with one other room)
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at hotel
- Gives full access to 5 day workshop
- Includes masterclasses, performances, 1-2-1 and small group sessions
N.B: Price is per person based on two musicians sharing.
Click here now to book your place
NON ENSUITE ROOM – Full Fee: £1895 / Deposit: £695
Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation – Single Occupancy room
- Breakfast, buffet lunch and set menu dinner at the hotel
- Use of a shared bathroom (shared with one other room)
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at hotel
- Gives full access to 5 day workshop
- Includes masterclasses, performances, 1-2-1 and small group sessions
Click here now to book your place
ENSUITE ROOM – Full Fee: £2095 / Deposit: £695
Includes:
- 6 nights accommodation – Single Occupancy room
- Breakfast, buffet lunch and set menu dinner at the hotel
- Exclusive use of a bathroom
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at hotel
- Gives full access to 5 day workshop
- Includes masterclasses, performances, 1-2-1 and small group sessions
Click here now to book your place
Partner Sharing with Guitarist – Full Fee: £975 / Deposit: £695
Includes:
- Want your non instrument-playing partner to join you? No problem!
- Includes 6 nights accommodation
- Breakfast, buffet lunch and set menu dinner at the hotel
- All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at hotel
Arriving:
You should aim to arrive on Sunday 28th September during the day, as we have welcome drinks in the evening followed by dinner. This is a great opportunity to get to know the tutors and the other guests. If you are arriving in the evening, just let us know and we can ask the kitchen staff to save you some food.
Departing:
You will need to plan to depart on Saturday 4th October in the morning. If your flight is later in the day, that’s fine. Just let the hotel staff know and they will supply you with some lunch, prior to your departure.
Workshop Dates:
The workshop starts on Monday 29th September at 10am. We aim to finish the workshop on Friday 3rd October at around 4.00pm.
There are workshops, small group sessions, tutorials and jams arranged for each of the 5 days. The ideal opportunity to totally immerse yourself!
Depending on where you are travelling from, you can use any of the airlines below:
- Ryanair flies into Perugia, Bologna, Pisa and Rome – https://www.ryanair.com/gb/en/
- Easyjet flies into Bologna, Pisa and Rome – http://www.easyjet.com/en/
- Vueling flies into Florence, Bologna and Pisa – http://www.vueling.com/en
- British Airways flies into Florence, Bologna, Pisa and Rome – http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en
Once in Italy, you have three choices:
- You can hire a car. You can do this through the usual routes. IMPORTANT! Do not hire a car with either Goldcar or Surprice. You have been warned!
- You can travel by train* to Arezzo. We recommend you book in advance with Trenitalia: https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
- You can pre-arrange to be collected by private taxi from the airport (subject to availability and number of guests being collected).
* IMPORTANT – TRAIN TICKETS: If you do buy train tickets at a station you must remember to validate your tickets by stamping them using the stamping machines. These are usually located around the train station and on the platform. If you do not stamp your tickets, you may receive a fine from the ticket inspector! (If you have booked in advance on the internet and printed off your tickets at home, you will not need to validate them at the station).
We have a guide on flying to us with your guitar here.