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ArtistWorks, Inc. (AWI). The Martin Taylor Guitar Academy online has greatly exceeded opening week projections. With enrollment numbers more than double the opening day response of any other prior ArtistWorks launch, the demand for ArtistWorks’ groundbreaking online video-exchange platform is once again reaffirmed.
People were lined up at the online gates when ArtistWorks CEO David Butler opted to “flip the switch” 8 hours earlier than the published April 15 launch date, with the first student enrolling within moments of the site being live. Since opening, MTGA continues to welcome large numbers of students from all around the world. “We are gratified at this very enthusiastic response to Martin’s unique solo guitar method and ArtistWorks’ powerful video-exchange platform,” says Butler.
In the early weeks of April, the pre-launch inquiries grew daily with those who wanted to be “the first to know,” word-of-mouth spread quickly across Taylor’s fan base and beyond, and news agencies and guitar media posted the news of the pending launch. One MTGA Facebook fan excitedly requesting to be the very first student enrolled in the online school (ArtistWorks tried to accommodate; the fellow jumped back online and became Student Number Five).
Despite being stranded in Hong Kong due to the Icelandic volcano eruption, Taylor has been actively welcoming new students online and encouraging their activity on the site with live “shouts” and student page messaging, providing video updates, and even filming a remote mini-lesson while on flight standby to get back to his home studio. Students are responding appreciatively to the site content in the meantime: “The information you’ve provided here is priceless, thanks Martin,” posted one student who goes by LiveWireJazz. Another student named Peter commented in the student forums, “I just joined a few hours ago after hearing about the site through a jazz guitar chat group. I am thrilled Martin has decided to do this, as I have been a fan of his for quite some time. Martin has a very friendly, easy going manner that seems to automatically put you at ease and makes you feel that his method of fingerstyle jazz guitar is an attainable goal.” Alistair notes, “I’m really impressed with all the work you guys have done on the MTGA.”
The overwhelming global response is not surprising considering Martin Taylor’s stature as an International guitar icon. Specializing in fingerstyle solo guitar, Taylor has been touring the world in recent months and using his broad appeal to help spread the word of the Academy’s opening. Students are enrolled in the Academy from seemingly everywhere: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Hong Kong, the US, and of course many from Martin’s homeland in the United Kingdom.
Taylor notes, “My goal with the MTGA is to help my students become better guitarists and musicians, to learn the language of music, and how to communicate that language to an audience. I want to help my students break free of self-imposed limitations so they can become more creative and really enjoy playing music. I also want my students to connect, interact, and learn from each other and enjoy being part of a truly worldwide guitar community. Here they’ll learn the art of solo guitar – online!”
About the Martin Taylor Guitar Academy
Taylor’s inimitable talent and expertise is shared in over 150 HD video lessons that range from simple tunes to highly advanced playing. The extensive video curriculum is presented on the innovative ArtistWorks online platform, allowing Taylor to use ArtistWorks’ Internet video-exchange technology to break the barrier of one-sided learning. Students are able to access multiple versions of most lessons, including an overhead perspective as well as slowed down and pitch-corrected videos. Downloadable transcriptions on selected lessons are a valuable reference tool for students for mastering each lesson. The MTGA (martintaylorguitar.com) incorporates fully featured social media, uniting the world of solo and fingerstyle guitarists in one central place. Enrollment is $60 for three months of instruction.
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About Martin Taylor
Dr. Martin Taylor MBE (MartinTaylor.com) has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning four decades and is known as a true guitar innovator for his ability to syncopate rapid bass lines with the guitar melody, often incorporating thumb-upstrokes on the bass strings for a distinct rhythmic quality. Taylor is widely recognized for his acoustic group “The Spirit of Django” and collaboration with musicians from various genres. In 2002 Taylor was appointed MBE (Member of the British Empire) “For Services to Jazz Music” by HM Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. To mark the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Django Reinhardt, Martin Taylor has reformed his award winning group “Spirit of Django” after a 15 year hiatus. The new album is entitled “Last Train to Hauteville” and has a release date of May 15.
About Artistworks
The ArtistWorks online visual education format allows virtuoso musicians to “Teach the World” by presenting their full method, technique or curriculum in HD video to subscribing students of their sites. Simple webcams are used by the students to submit videos to the Artist through the site, for critique and guidance if they want personalized instruction. The Artists manage the video flow by using the Video Management System created and owned by ArtistWorks, Inc. (patent pending). Regardless of whether or not students participate in exchanging videos with the Artist, these “video-exchanges” are posted for all subscribing students to learn from. This groundbreaking use of video-exchange for the instruction of musical instruments has been implemented at Jimmy Bruno Guitar Institute, the Qbert Skratch University, Andreas Oberg Guitar Universe, Peery Piano Online, Tony Trischka School of Banjo, Howard Levy Harmonica School, and the new Martin Taylor Guitar Academy.
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