The first 20 guitarists that register for the retreat will receive a copy of James Taylor's new book 'SuperCreativity: Accelerating Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence' at the event (value $30).
What will creativity look like when humans and machines create together? In a world being reshaped by artificial intelligence, automation, and acceleration, there’s one advantage no algorithm can replicate — your creativity.
In SuperCreativity, keynote speaker and creativity expert James Taylor reveals how leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals can unlock the power of human imagination enhanced by intelligent technology. Drawing on two decades advising organizations like Apple, Accenture, McDonalds, Deloitte, Visa, and IBM, Taylor shows you how to thrive in the coming wave of change by mastering the skills that AI can’t automate — curiosity, imagination, and creative collaboration.
Soave, Italy
September 13th-17th, 2026
4 days and 4 nights of learning, playing, eating and sleeping fingerstyle, acoustic and jazz guitar in stunning Italy.
Only 30 minutes from Verona and 1hr from Venice this retreat will be limited to only 25 participants who will join Martin Taylor, Peppino D'Agostino, Alison Burns and James Taylor for this unforgettable experience.
CLICK TO REGISTEROverview
Players of all levels and styles are welcome at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in Soave, Italy. Whether you’ve been playing for years, or you just know a couple of tunes, you'll be able to immerse yourself in learning fingerstyle, jazz and acoustic guitar at this four day guitar retreat with Martin Taylor and his guest teachers including Peppino D'Agostino and Alison Burns.
Martin will give you insight into the techniques, styles and tips to inspire and improve your playing. The retreat is designed to gather guitarists of all levels from around the globe with a common goal - learning and playing guitar.
This is the fourth Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat in Italy and will be held in Soave, a historic medieval town that is just 30 minutes from Verona, 1 hour from Venice, and 1.5hrs from Milan and the Italian Lakes. Don’t miss this chance to spend four nights and four days in 'bella Italia' and in an area famous for it's food, wine, and history. What could be better than a musical holiday where you really learn something and have a great time with like-minded guitarists?
The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat will take place this year from September 13th-17th, 2026. During each day you'll learn directly with Martin and his guest teachers and each evening you can sit back with a wine and take part in intimate, once-in-a-lifetime jam sessions. Just bring your guitar, get ready to learn, jam, make friends and have fun!
To really help you make the most from this event we have created a series of preparatory home study courses and cool bonuses (see below)!
Provisional Schedule
Sunday 13th September 2026
3.30pm - 4.30pm Students Arrive
4.30pm - 6.30pm Welcome, Introductions and Opening Session
7.00pm Welcome Reception and Dinner
Post-Dinner Jamming
Monday 14th September 2026
8.00am - 9.30am Breakfast
9.30am - 10.30am Workshop 1
11.00am - 12.30pm Workshop 2
1.00pm - 4.00pm Lunch and Free Time
4.00pm - 5.15pm Workshop 3
5.30pm - 6.30pm Workshop 4
7.00pm Dinner
Post-Dinner Jamming and Open Mic
Tuesday 15th September 2026
8.00am - 9.30am Breakfast
9.30am - 10.30am Workshop 5
11.00am - 12.30pm Workshop 6
1.00pm - 4.00pm Lunch and Free Time
4.00pm - 5.15pm Workshop 7
5.30pm - 6.30pm Workshop 8
7.00pm Dinner
Post-Dinner Jamming and Open Mic
Wednesday 16th September 2026
8.00am - 9.30am Breakfast
9.30am - 10.30am Workshop 9
11.00am - 12.30pm Workshop 10
1.00pm - 4.00pm Lunch and Free Time
4.00pm - 5.15pm Workshop 11
5.30pm - 6.30pm Workshop 12
7.00pm Dinner
8.30pm End of Retreat Concert
Thursday 17th September 2026
8.30am - 10.30am Breakfast
11.00am Departure
***Note*** - Martin will also be doing 1-on-1 lessons with each student.
What Is The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat About?
The Martin Taylor Guitar Retreats are all about hands-on playing. Helping you achieve RESULTS and have fun in the process.
Improved Technique
Improved technique and a new level of confidence as a guitarist.
Multiple Styles
You'll be exposed to learning new guitar styles to strengthen your playing.
Inspiration
Spend four days and nights getting inspiration and making new friends.
Progress Your Playing
You'll learn plenty of new exercises to continue to progress your playing.
Learn New Tunes
During the Retreat you'll learn new tunes to add to your repertoire.
Live Performances
Opportunity to play onstage with Martin Taylor and his guest teachers.
The Location
The retreat will take place in Soave, a historic medieval town and significant wine-producing area located in Italy's Veneto region, just west of Venice. The area is defined by its well-preserved 14th-century Scaliger Castle and rolling vineyards situated on unique volcanic and limestone soils. Primarily known for its highly-regarded, crisp white wines made from the Garganega grape, Soave is one of Italy's most famous and historic wine zones.
Accommodation will be at The Hotel Roxy Plaza, a 4-star hotel located just outside the ancient medieval walls of Soave, Italy, offering an elegant and peaceful atmosphere. Situated within walking distance of the historic town center and the castle, the hotel provides amenities such as air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, an American bar, and a rich international breakfast.
Workshop masterclasses will take place at Rocca Sveva, a world-class wine-making centre just a short walk from the hotel. Within these walls is a centuries-old villa, a botanical garden, and an expansive underground cellar carved into the hillside beneath the medieval castle, where celebrated wines such as Soave Classico and Amarone are produced.
Your Retreat Teachers
Martin Taylor
Fingerstyle & Jazz Guitar
Grammy nominated musician Dr. Martin Taylor, MBE, is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, educator and musical innovator whom Acoustic Guitar magazine calls ‘THE Acoustic Guitarist of his Generation’.
Widely considered to be the world’s foremost exponent of solo jazz and fingerstyle guitar playing, Martin possesses an inimitable style that has earned him global acclaim from fellow musicians, fans and critics alike. He dazzles audiences with a signature style that artfully combines his virtuosity, emotion and humor with a strong, engaging stage presence. Taylor has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across five decades, with more than 100 recordings to his credit. Completely self-taught beginning at the early age of 4, he has invented and developed a unique way of playing the guitar that is greatly admired, and often emulated, by guitarists all over the world.
In addition to his solo concerts and recordings, he has also collaborated with musicians from many different musical genres, including: Jeff Beck, Tommy Emmanuel, Bill Wyman, Chet Atkins, Stephane Grappelli, David Grisman, George Harrison, Jamie Cullum, Bryn Terfel, Dianne Schuur and Gary Burton. He has been awarded two honorary doctorates, a BBC lifetime achievement award, Top 10 albums in both the USA and Europe, a record 14 British Jazz Awards and in 2002 he was appointed MBE 'For Services to Jazz Music' by Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.
As one of the world's most recognized online guitar teachers his innovative online guitar school in partnership with ArtistWorks, with its headquarters in Napa, CA, has been featured on NPR, BBC, Fox News and the LA Times and is subscribed to by guitarists in over 58 countries.
'Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument. He's unbelievable' - Pat Metheny
'He out-shred's all of us put together....I've never seen anything like it' - Jeff Beck
"There is a touch of genius in his playing" - Classical Guitar Magazine
"No matter how complex or daring, Taylor's interpretations never short change the melodies; indeed, his remarkable fluid touch imbues a seamless beauty. Martin Taylor is something to behold." - The Washington Post
Your Retreat Teachers
Peppino D'Agostino
Fingerstyle Guitar
A young Sicilian guitarist left Italy more than thirty years ago with a simple ambition: to play alongside the greatest. Today Peppino D’Agostino stands among the most respected figures in the acoustic guitar world. He first gained attention in the early eighties as part of the second wave of innovative fingerstylists who helped redefine the instrument for a new generation. His fluid technique, inventive use of open tunings, and percussive approach form the core of a style that blends emotion, melody, and rhythmic drive. He calls it his minestrone music, a reflection of his warmth, humour, and wide musical tastes. His influence on younger players has been profound.
From acclaimed early albums such as Acoustic Spirit, Close to the Heart, and Every Step of the Way, Peppino has continued to evolve as a composer and performer. He has toured in more than thirty countries, appeared at major festivals and theatres, and shared stages with artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Larry Carlton, and Eric Johnson. Acoustic Guitar readers voted him Best Acoustic Guitarist, while critics have described him as a guitarist’s guitarist and a giant of the acoustic guitar.
Collaboration has been a constant thread. He has recorded with classical guitarist David Tanenbaum, drummer Jeff Campitelli, and Paraguayan harpist and violinist Carlos Reyes. His composition Stammi Vicino, written with Stef Burns and Italian rock icon Vasco Rossi, reached number one on the Italian iTunes rock chart.
Recent work includes Penumbra, a collection of sophisticated pieces by Sergio Assad, Roland Dyens, Maurizio Colonna, and Gyan Riley, alongside his own compositions. He has also completed a sold out tour of China and created music for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Beyond performing, Peppino is a dedicated educator, teaching privately, leading creative retreats, and producing instructional material for TrueFire and GuitarbyMasters. Whether on stage or in the classroom, he continues to explore new sounds on his signature Seagull guitar, inviting audiences into a musical world that is always evolving.
Your Other Retreat Teachers
Alison Burns
Vocal Coach
Alison Burns is an award-winning singer and vocal coach who has performed and run vocal workshops in the USA, Europe and Asia. Her vocal workshop for guitarists and 'how to accompany a singer' class is is always a popular one at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat.
James Taylor
Creativity Coach
James Taylor is a speaker, author, creativity expert. He has worked with artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Paul Gilbert, Nathan East, Billy Cobham and coaches and consults to musicians, authors, artists and creative entrepreneurs around the world.
What They Are Saying
Martin Taylor's Guitar Retreats are legendary! To date over 200 guitarists have attended a Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat.
The Retreat Experience
Ever wondered what a Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat is actually like?
Check out this video from a previous retreat in New York which will give you a flavor of the retreat experience!
Photos from our previous guitar retreats in Italy
Ted Clark
"It was a fabulous experience. My impressions were that Martin and the teaching staff were very very gracious, very talented certainly, and really ensured that every master class session was run well, the content was perfect for the class, the students themselves really became very close friends and almost family atmosphere after the first night. I know that I learned a lot, I had a lot of aha moments. I have a lot of things to work on but without a doubt the time spent this week was not only enjoyable, something I remember all my life, but absolutely will improve my playing and my confidence in playing".
Lisa Liu
“This was my first guitar retreat for Martin Taylor and it was an awesome experience. I learned so much and everyone is just so open and shares all this info and totally approachable. I also take the online classes, I just started a couple of months ago and coming to this retreat has just really fulfilled and filled out a lot of information that I had a lot of questions for. Highly recommended and check it out.”
Your Special Bonus Bundle
To ensure your success at the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat, we’ve created this exclusive and valuable bonus package of online courses and more. Use these to get geared up and ready for Italy and beyond!
- BONUS: HOME-STUDY RETREAT PREPARATION COURSE ($997 value)
You will also receive access to the Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat home-study preparation course with video lessons covering some of the concepts and tunes you’ll be learning at the Retreat. This prep-course will help you gear up and get ready for the “Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat” by learning the chords and melody for tunes, and many of the other cool tips and lessons. - BONUS: CREATIVE PROCESS COURSE ($197 value)
You will also receive 40+ HD Video Lessons from James Taylor as he breaks down each of the five stages of the creative process to help you unlock your creative potential as a guitarist. -
BONUS: MARKETING FOR MUSICIANS COURSE ($150 value)
Learn how to brand, market and sell your music. Whether you want to get more gigs, release an album or promote your songs this marketing course for creatives will help.
Special Bonus For First 20 Guitarists That Enroll
Pricing Options
RETREAT PARTICIPANT
$3,225
Includes
- All workshops and activities for 4 days and nights.
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- 3 amazing meals a day
- Opportunity to perform on stage at an “invite-only” concert on the last evening
- Welcome goodie bag.
- Home-study preparation course (valued at $997)
- Bonus bundle (valued at $1,000)
PARTNER ADD-ON
$995
Includes
- Free time to explore the area
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- 3 amazing meals a day
- Welcome goodie bag.
- All evening performances and jam sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When and where does the retreat take place?
Q. When should I plan to be there?
Q. Is lodging provided?
Q. What level and style of guitarist is this retreat intended for?
Q. What is the home-study preparation course?
Q. Can I buy the home-study preparation course on its own?
Q. When will I receive a detailed daily schedule and retreat handbook?
Q. Is the venue and accommodation suitable for those with mobility issues?
Q. What should I bring with me?
Q. Can I bring my partner with me?
Q. What are your registration and payment policies?
Q. What if I have a question that's not listed here?
Q. How do I get there?
Premier Music Retreats Experience
This Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat will be the 50th music retreat that P3 Music has produced. Our team is focused on giving you very best experience in which to learn guitar.
Other P3 Music music retreats take place in California, London, Italy, Scotland, France and Asia. We are honored to work with Martin Taylor and Music Masters Camps on this fourth Martin Taylor Guitar Retreat at Full Moon Resort. We hope you decide to join us.
