Our Story

More than a place to learn.

The Guitar Social began in 2014 based on the simple idea that playing and learning guitar is more fun if you do it with other people. It had one class, and twelve learners. Since then, it has become something else.

Today The Guitar Social is a place to meet new people. It’s a place to learn new skills. To develop your musical confidence. To try things you have never tried before. It’s the starting point on a great adventure. It’s a community. It’s about making friends. It’s about going places. It’s a class on a rainy Sunday. It’s a jam on boat on a blue ocean. It’s a pint in a pub. It’s a shared pot of coffee at one of our camp retreats

It’s many things to many people, but most of all, it’s the people within it, that make it what it is. 

We can’t wait to have you along for the ride.

Thomas Binns, Founder & Tutor

Thomas is the holder of The Guiness World Record for the World’s Longest Guitar Lesson during which he taught over 250 people over 24 hours (and six minutes) in an art Gallery in Canning Town. He is also the Founder of this sprawling community of Guitar Players, holiday makers and event attendees, The Guitar Social. 

Thomas started teaching aged 16 from his mothers spare room and has since then taught in schools, prisons, on boats, in jungles, on the street and across the world with the intention of bringing musicality to everyone and anyone that has a desire to play. 

He believes in real life musical connection. He also believes that anyone that wants to play guitar can play guitar as evidenced in his charity Music.Prescribed which provides free instruments and tuition to vulnerable adults such as the blind community, refugees and young people suffering with ill mental health.

Since The Guitar Social formed in 2013 he has delivered over 7000 hours of guitar classes to over 2000 people in real life settings offering people from all backgrounds the opportunity to find their musical voice and live their rock and roll guitar dreams. 

 

Fiona Pannell, Business Director

Fiona had a career as a senior researcher for some of the largest corporations on planet earth before she opted to divert her attentions upon this small humble rock called The Guitar Social two years ago. For many of our learners Fiona is the first port of call. She’s also been key in scouting out locations for many of our retreats, has been the drive behind our big events and the steam in The Guitar Social’s engine. She also teaches our Camden classes and thankfully is a much better guitar player than she is dancer.

You might call Fiona the glue that holds this house of cards together. 

She’s an open tuning fanatic and acoustic diehard; now in her own band ‘The Rye Whiskeys.  Fiona is only one email, one phone call away and believes in The Guitar Social more than she believes in corporate research, which for this tin pot organisation, has been a blessed, blessed thing. 

Bands formed from The Guitar Social classes and events

The 7,8,9’s

These guys met in a class and have since spread their wings and taken on their own gigs and secured their own Rehersal facility. We remain fans and friends and often provide them with stage time at our events.

The Rogues

Formed from multiple different classes with the initial intention of doing one St Patricks Gig, this band continue to meet and rehearse. They’re lively, fast paced and do high octane Celtic inspired party music. 

The Go Go Burns

Headed up by Marc who attended a number of advanced sessions this band are now securing gigs outside of The Guitar Social Network. 

Odd box Eric

One of The Guitar Social’s first ever students was Eric. Since then he has carved out a solo career, launched his own guitar manufacturing business, set up a band and recently played his first festival. 

Nicola Cortese
Nicola Cortese
03/02/2022
I started a course in Jan as a beginner with Thomas and I can already play 5 songs!.. with simple chords :) both Thomas and Fiona are really lovely and they really know how to teach whilst having fun! I'd highly recommend dropping at one of their Thursday's open mic! Tons of fun and talent for free!!!
Jonny Pollard
Jonny Pollard
02/02/2022
Very friendly learning environment, was a bit nervous to play with a group having not played socially for many years, but it was super relaxed, and I learnt a lot in the first session. Looking forward to the next session!
Adam J
Adam J
01/02/2022
Had a great time tonight! I joined on to the beginners course a couple weeks late, but Fiona was great at running me up to speed before the class. Tom was a great instructor, and managed to get us to cover lots of ground in a short space of time. The group was super freindly and relaxed, and im looking forward to going back next week!
Jakub Špaček
Jakub Špaček
01/02/2022
Having played guitar in my past within academic environment I have to say The Guitar Social club opened my eyes with their amazing and vibrant atmosphere with company of great people. Lessons are really fun and easy to follow. Feel really motivate just after few classes and my connection to the instrument greatly improved!
Paula Smith
Paula Smith
31/01/2022
Unbelievably great, not kidding.
Marcella Puppini
Marcella Puppini
31/01/2022
This exactly what I was hoping it would be. A fun and engaging way of learning a new instrument at a lovely venue, with great people and great teaching. Thoroughly recommended.
hashtagobi
hashtagobi
31/01/2022
Only been going 2 weeks but it's a great environment with good pacing throughout the lessons. The community is quite helpful + open to learn so it's really a great space for anyone wanting to hone their guitar chops!
Kevin S.
Kevin S.
27/01/2022
Is it a guitar school? A social events group? A music workshop for all ages and abilities? An open, non-judgemental route to performing? A holiday club that includes jamming on guitars around the campfire? Well–it's all these and more. The Guitar Social is built around founder & lead tutor Thomas (plus TGS Business Director, Fiona, originally one of its earliest students). Patient and passionate, Thomas and his relaxed, friendly temperament get the best from beginners to improvers and beyond. Personally for me, one core strength of The Guitar Social is that Thomas realises what most tutors and courses never do – we can all learn fast and well when we play whole songs together and discover as a group how to make them work. Thomas and TGS guest tutors will always tend to teach music theory for guitar, and focus too on scales, chord voicings, correct rhythm, licks, riffs, parts, soloing etc, but with a tendency to make it about the fun and learning gains when students jam together on great songs instead of staring at a white board and not playing much music. Jamming songs in similar or mixed ability groups helps TGS students become functioning musicians who have built useful real world skills and experience across many sessions similar to how working musicians rehearse and workshop songs. And you will have the opportunity to build live experience too if you wish – solo or with your term group or with others of your choice, in a safe, positive environment, with friendly fellow students as your audience. Never any pressure and just one example of where TGS delivers extra value. They are really worth trying. I haven't even done full justice here to all the different activities they do.
stu smith
stu smith
25/01/2022
The coolest club in London!
Colin Taylor
Colin Taylor
25/01/2022
I'm back for my second series of the Joy of the Jam. After not playing with others for over 30 years, these sessions are reminding me just how inspiring and enjoyable jamming can be. Thomas leads the sessions with huge enthusiasm and a great deal of humour. The support of his impressive musical knowledge is ever present - but this never gets in the way of our desire just have fun and be playing.
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