Decode Music

🎸 Learn to Play For Free Day!

Ever wanted to try guitar but weren't sure where to start? Here's your chance — no pressure, no commitment, just come learn a real song in 10-20 minutes with us!

Saturday, August 22
10 AM - 2 PM
100 Museum Way, Nanaimo, BC — Museum Meeting Room
Drop in anytime, or book a time slot in advance

While you're here, ask us about our Youth Group Guitar, Rock Band, Adult Group Guitar, and Songwriter Series classes, and explore the shops and cafes along Commercial Street too!

📧 Book ahead: [email protected]
✍️ Pre-register for fall classes:

Decode Music Secure Your Spot for September 2026 Thank you for your interest in Decode Music! Our programs run in 12-week semesters (September–June) with sessions held on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM. By joining this priority list, you’ll get first dibs on registration. I will reach o...

Thanks for the shout-out and great video

Send a message to learn more

Big shout out to the organizers, vendors and attendees of the this year. What a fun day.

We taught 16 people throughout the day. People as young as 5 up to full adulthood.
For some, it was their first time ever touching or trying a musical instrument.

We were also able to give some pointers to a couple of experienced players that just wanted to jam.
I can confidently say that all of the people that stopped by were able to successfully play through an entire song!

Thanks to Blake for being such a great assistant.

Also thanks to my "vendor" row mates:
Levi from Kameha - who was our best cheerleader, and Jackos Dairy Free Creamery.

Our classes for September are filling up:

Rock Band Class: has room for 1 more, if we get enough requests, we may open another class.
Song Writing Series: 2 spots left
We just opened a new adult group class and a new youth group class (4 spots each).

More information can be found at decodemusic.ca, or to pre-register, please checkout: https://forms.gle/pyyudHvUPX1diJFp8

Decode Music Secure Your Spot for September 2026 Thank you for your interest in Decode Music! Our programs run in 12-week semesters (September–June) with sessions held on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM. By joining this priority list, you’ll get first dibs on registration. I will reach o...

We are down at Vegfest today from 10-4.
Learn a song in 20 minutes and take home a VIP lanyard.

Come down, learn a song or just come chat music with us.

Come find me at Saturday July 4th, 10am-4pm at Maffeo Sutton Park!

I'll teach you a real song in about 20 minutes — no experience or guitar required. If you ever been interested in learning guitar (or bass), here's your free chance.

Adults and students welcome.

VegFest Nanaimo is a fun, family-friendly vegan festival with something for everyone. Admission is by donation!

More info: https://positivelyvegan.ca/vegfest-nanaimo
decodemusic.ca

That's a wrap. We have just finished our 12-week Spring Adult Group Guitar Session.

We had an incredible time and bewteen the two groups learned these songs and more:

500 Miles
Brown Eyed Girl
Chasing Cars
Do You Wanna Dance
Enter Sandman (Intro)
Hands to yourself
Have Love Will Travel
Hey Joe
Journey to the End of East Bay
Killing Floor
Knockin on Heaven's Door
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Original Prankster
Rock Me Baby (Eric Clapton)
Royals
Santeria
Sunshine of Your Love
Tenesse Whiskey
The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)
Three Little Birds
Tweeter and the Monkey Man
Wheels
With or Without You

If you'd like to reserve a spot for our September session, please DM me, or fill out this form: https://forms.gle/RNtv1xFEY9aagtt57

Catch us at VegFest!
We will also be at the Nanaimo VegFest on Saturday July 4th at Maffeo Sutton Park. Stop by our booth—we're offering to teach you a song in just 20 minutes for FREE! Come say hi!

Turn those "creative ideas" into a finished song.

On May 2nd, we’re helping those between the ages of 10-16 write their very own song.

Whether they play guitar, bass, piano, or are a vocalist, this 4-hour workshop at Bowen Park is a hands-on creative session.

For the Vocalists: There is no prerequisite to have been a vocalist or be taking formal lessons. If you want to write lyrics and sing, just a bit of "courage" is all that's needed!

For the Instrumentalists: If you want to be involved in songwriting but don't want to sing, we can pair you with a vocalist to collaborate on that perfect masterpiece. You don't need years of experience, either—we can create a rewarding experience for those who have only been playing for a few weeks.

The Details:
📅 Saturday, May 2nd | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Bowen Park Complex (500 Bowen Rd)
💰 $50
✨ The Session Tape: Every student has the option to record a video of their creation to take home!

Space is limited to ensure a relaxed, low-pressure environment where everyone gets coaching and support.

To Register: DM me or email [email protected]

Write. Play. Record. The 4-Hour Songwriter Workshop.

Most young musicians spend their time practicing other people's songs. On May 2nd, we’re going to help them write their own.

Whether they play guitar, bass, piano (or other chord instrument), and/or are a vocalist, this workshop is a hands-on creative session for ages 10-16. We’re moving past the "how to play" and diving straight into the "how to create."

The 4-Hour Roadmap:
✅ Song Structure: We’ll break down how professional songs are actually built.
✅ Writing Sessions: Guided time to write original verses and a chorus.
✅ Chord Selection: We’ll show them how to identify which chords to choose and when to use them.
✅ The Session Tape (Optional): At the end of the day, we'll provide an option to take a video of their creation.
✅ Future Growth: Strategies for a rewarding writing practice going forward.

We keep this group small (max 8 students) to ensure a relaxed, low-pressure environment where everyone gets coaching and support.

📅 Saturday, May 2nd | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Bowen Park Complex (500 Bowen Rd)
💰 $50
🎟️ Only 5 Spots Left!

Privacy First: We prioritize student privacy. Any recordings are for the students and their families only, and can be done on a family-owned device.

Contact:
📩 DM or email [email protected]
🌐 decodemusic.ca

Kids have incredible stories inside them—songwriting is a way for them to express, experiment, and turn their imagination into a song that’s completely theirs.

On Saturday, May 2nd | 1–5pm, I’m running a Songwriting Workshop (ages 10–16) at the Bowen Park Complex.

This isn’t your typical music class—kids will:
🎸 Write lyrics and create their own chord-based songs
🎤 Experiment with singing and playing
🤝 Work solo or pair up (singers + instrumentalists)
🎶 Walk away with something that’s 100% theirs

No heavy theory, no pressure—just space to explore, create, and express themselves.

📍 500 Bowen Rd | Nanaimo
💲 50
Spots are limited.

This should be a really fun, meaningful, and confidence-building experience.

To register: https://forms.gle/ZocvTs7SjiY9r19i8
More info: decodemusic.ca
Email: [email protected]

Adult Guitar Group Lessons start Wednesday, April 1st.

Whether you're picking up the guitar for the first time or building on what you already know, this is a relaxed and supportive group to learn in.

Registration closes end of day Sunday, March 29th — limited spots available.

500 Bowen Road (Bowen Park Complex)
Wednesdays 530-630
April 1st to June 17th

Registration: https://forms.gle/zvgX91N83AoZEJjcA

For more info:
decodemusic.ca
[email protected]

Songs and Guitars: Spring Session (12-weeks) Songs & Guitars is a small, in-person adult music group focused on learning songs, talking about music and artists, and playing together in a relaxed, supportive setting. This is a social, song-first group designed for adults who want to make music regularly on guitar, bass, or ukulele. No prior exp...