What you need for a guitar workshop

A guitar workshop needs more than guitars and chairs. You will need one playable instrument per participant, enough cables and power points for amplified instruments, and printed chords or tabs for the session. Set aside time to tune every guitar and test the sound before people arrive. Coffee, tea, snacks and sandwiches also need cups, plates and cutlery, so they are easy to overlook when ordering the music equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 35
Stoolsqty 6
Registration desk
Waste binsqty 4

Music equipment

Acoustic guitarsqty 20
Electric guitarsqty 4
Guitar strapsqty 24
Guitar standsqty 24
Guitar tunersqty 10
Caposqty 12
Picksqty 100
Spare guitar stringsqty 6
Metronomesqty 4

Equipment

Guitar amplifiersqty 4
Instrument cablesqty 8
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Bluetooth speaker

Lighting

Standing lampsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 35

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving traysqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Soup potsqty 2
Water carafesqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 2

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 2
Dishclothsqty 8
Spongesqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea assortment - 80 sachets
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 36 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 5 loaves
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 5 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Breaded chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Vegetarian spread - 5 tubs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Onion - 1 kilo
- Vegetable soup - 6 liters
- Tomato soup - 6 liters
- Soup sticks - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Pepper - 1 grinder
- Salt - 1 pack
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan one guitar per participant, plus at least one spare instrument if the group is larger than 10 people. Include straps, picks, tuners and capos rather than assuming everyone will bring their own.
For electric guitars, count one instrument cable and one amplifier per player. Add at least 10% spare cables and check that extension cords and power strips reach every playing position.
Buy spare guitar strings before the workshop, not on the day itself. Keep replacement strings, picks and tuners at the registration or teaching table so small problems do not interrupt the program.
Prepare printed chords and tabs for every selected piece, with one copy per participant plus 2 or 3 extras. Test the laptop, projector and projection screen at least 24 hours before the workshop.
For refreshments, provide one reusable cup per person and roughly 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour. Order or prepare enough plates, cutlery, coffee cups, snacks and sandwiches for the full participant list, including dietary requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How many guitars do I need for a guitar workshop?: Plan for one guitar per participant, plus one spare for every 10 participants. For a group of 12, that means 14 guitars if possible. Match acoustic or electric guitars to the workshop program.
What equipment is needed for an electric guitar workshop?: Each electric guitar needs an amplifier and an instrument cable. Add one microphone and stand if the instructor demonstrates singing or amplified playing, and test all connections at least 24 hours beforehand.
How many printed chord sheets should I prepare?: Print one copy of each chord sheet or tab for every registered participant, plus 2 or 3 spare copies. Finish printing at least one day before the workshop so missing pages can still be corrected.
What refreshments do I need for a guitar workshop?: Allow 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then adjust for the planned duration. Provide one cup per person, along with plates, cutlery, coffee cups, snacks and sandwiches, and confirm dietary requirements before shopping.

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