Playing music is a fantastic way to experience joy, catharsis, self expression, authentic connections with others, and to build self esteem and confidence. It can also feel out of reach and intimidating in a culture which worships excellence and experts…
Typical Girls Guitar Group provides safe, supportive and fun opportunities for women and gender diverse people to learn and develop their acoustic guitar playing, music knowledge and creativity. The emphasis is on participating in a musical community where everyone can learn at their own pace, to the level that suits them, and all questions and mistakes are welcome.
While we focus on playing guitar to accompany singing – including simple chord strumming and picking, bass lines and riffs – there are opportunities to learn / improvise simple guitar solos for those who wish to.
As well as friendly small group guitar classes, we offer private lessons, a monthly song writing group, informal jam sessions, workshops and special events with other teachers, and optional low key performance opportunities.
Most group classes and workshops are held at Feminista Vinyl, a record shop unlike any other, run by women and non binary people celebrating female led, trans, non binary and gender non conforming inclusive bands and artists from all cultures.
We’d love you to join us!
About Your Teacher
I’ve wanted to play guitar, sing and write songs since I was a young adult. I had a go, but lack of confidence, encouragement and time meant that I didn’t really pursue these aspirations until I was in my forties. I then started developing my guitar and song writing skills as a mature-aged student in Chicks with Picks, learning from folk musician Helen Begley. This was a wonderful confidence builder and introduction to a musical community I felt at home in. It was life-changing for me!
After participating in many jams, open mics and festivals, I wanted to take my learning further, so completed a Diploma and part Advanced Diploma of Music Performance at Melbourne Polytechnic.
I kept writing songs, formed my own indie folk band, The Cherry Reds, and felt inspired to share what I’d learnt with other women, who perhaps like me had not yet found quite the right environment or opportunity to develop their musical dreams.
That’s how Typical Girls Guitar Group began.
Why a Guitar Group for Women and Gender Diverse Folks?
It is well known that the music industry provides advantages for men over any other group, and that guitar playing has long been a male-dominated world. While that is gradually changing, many women and gender diverse people have missed out on the opportunity to learn guitar, and may feel intimidated and uncomfortable in male-centred music scenes that often emphasise technical excellence. Our patriarchal culture also means that women and gender diverse people can have less time, money and confidence to pursue their musical interests.
For women and gender diverse people to overcome these barriers, it is important that they have separate spaces for learning that are encouraging, afordable, and centred around their experiences, life situations, and learning preferences.
Typical Girls Guitar Group aims to create a space for learning acoustic guitar that recognises diverse life situations, prioritises community, and offers respect and empathy for each person’s story and approach to learning.
Guitar Group Classes for Women 