Johnny’s music offer is strum-thing special
A Paisley musician has teamed up with Renfrewshire Carers Centre to offer free guitar lessons online.
Johnny Barr has held music sessions at the centre in the past and said he was delighted to be able to work with them again during the lockdown.
He said: “I’ve run sixweek and eight- week guitar workshops in the carers centre before for carers and the people they look after. They were a sociable experience, just to give people something else to do.
“I would just teach the basics, a few chords. There was a lovely atmosphere which made it quite engaging for everyone.
“The carers centre approached me and asked about one-to-one lessons with anyone who’s interested. They’re just generally nice people so I was happy to offer this for them.”
Johnny, 29, is a graduate of Leeds College of Music and has been playing professionally for about ten years.
As well as playing in bands, Johnny teaches guitar and has now moved his lessons onto Skype. “I’ve managed to move over about 75 per cent of my teaching to online, it’s very workable,” he said.
“It’s not the same as one- to- one but it’s proving to be quite successful so far. It’s something new and interesting.”
The classes are a 30minute taster session and will be allocated on a firstcome, first-served basis.
Johnny said the lockdown was a good time to learn new skills and admitted he’s trying some new things himself.
“I’m trying to get fit and improve my own musical abilities,” he said.
“I’ve been considering a postgrad in music therapy after working with Renfrewshire Carers Centre so this is my opportunity to do a lot of reading.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Carers Centre said: “We’ve teamed up with Johnny Barr again to offer carers and their loved ones one free online guitar lesson.
“Spaces are limited to one 30- minute session per family.
“Thanks to Creative Breaks funding from Shared Care Scotland for making this possible.”
Anyone interested, can contact Johnny by emailing jbmusic91@ gmail.com