For lovers of Acoustic Delta Blues, Country Blues, Folk & Roots.
MONTREUX BLUES WEEK 2026
MEET THE TUTORS
CHRIS QUINN
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COURSE CONTENTS
According to your level & familiarity with playing the blues, sign up for one of our two classes:
BLUES FOUNDATIONS with Diana Gisler (10 participants max.) | for blues beginners
You're pretty comfortable with your guitar basics, like playing basic chords & riffs, but you're new to playing the blues and not sure where to start? Join the BLUES FOUNDATIONS course to kick things off and learn what you need to know to be able to jam the blues with others. The course is designed so that you can easily implement what you learn throughout the week at the evening jams, and leave with the basics of the blues in your fingers and your heart!
In this class, we'll cover:
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pentatonic scales (including identifying the most useful boxes and what to do with them)
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ways to accompany the blues
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12-blues shuffle in E and A
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how to accompany with basic chords
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blues bass lines
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soloing:
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licks you can use
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techniques to make your guitar cry: hammer-ons, pull-offs, vibratos, bending
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how to improve your tone & musicality to get that real blues sound
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bonus: basics of blues fingerpicking (monotonic & alternating bass)
We'll use 2-3 well-known blues songs to put all of this into practice with plenty of group playing, so you can leave Montreux truly playing by the end of the week! In the evenings & during free time, you'll be able to jam with other participants and try out what you learned during the day. Mix in with the intermediate/advanced participants for a real boost!
ART OF THE BLUES with Chris Quinn (10 participants max.) | for intermediate to more advanced players
This class dives deeper into the blues for those who already have the fundamentals in their fingers and want to expand their improvisation skills. For more information on Chris's course, click here.
ALL CLASSES WILL BE IN ENGLISH.
Imagine spending a week soaking up the blues in Montreux, Switzerland – home of the world-famous Jazz Festival that welcomed legends like B.B. King, and the city that inspired Smoke on the Water. Boost your acoustic guitar playing surrounded by friendly people & tutors at the Tralala Hotel, a cozy, music-themed bubble just a short walk from the lake.
DIANA GISLER
A guitarist and singer-songwriter since the age of 10, Diana trained at the Académie de Musique Prince Rainier III in Monaco and later at the Conservatoire de Lausanne, earning multiple classical guitar certificates. As what she really loved was popular music, she developed strong acoustic and fingerstyle skills that shaped her identity as a performer. Winner of the Monaco Young Talents Festival in 2005, she then built meaningful stage experience across Switzerland and France. In 2008, legendary guitarist John McLaughlin praised her fingerpicking technique and musicality. She later travelled to Nashville, where she deepened her connection to roots and acoustic music and recorded her debut CD “Tennessee”, released in 2016.
Since October 2019, Diana has been running her own guitar school, teaching more than 25 students weekly with a focus on solid & healthy technique, musicality, and the joy of playing.
SUNDAY 11TH OCT.
From 14:00
Arrival & check-in
18:00
Welcome
19:00
Dinner @ Tralala Hotel (incl.)
After dinner
Sleep or jam, up to you!
WED. 14TH OCT.
7:00 - 10:30
Breakfast at the hotel (incl.)
10:45 - 12:45
Group guitar lesson
12:45-15:00
Free lunch break wherever your heart desires in Montreux
15:00 - 17h15
Group guitar lesson
18:30
Scenic rack railway ride to higher elevations for beautiful views over lake Geneva
19:00
A typical Swiss Fondue night @ Le Coucou in Caux (incl.)
After dinner
Acoustic jam @ Le Coucou
22:00
Rack railway back down to the Tralala Hotel
MONDAY 12TH OCT.
7:00 - 10:30
Breakfast at the hotel (incl.)
10:45 - 12:45
Group guitar lesson
12:45-15:00
Free lunch break wherever your heart desires in Montreux
15:00 - 17h15
Group guitar lesson
19:00
Dinner @ Tralala Hotel (incl.)
After dinner
Acoustic jam in the hotel bar
THURSDAY 15TH OCT
7:00 - 10:30
Breakfast at the hotel (incl.)
10:45 - 12:45
Group guitar lesson
12:45-15:00
Free lunch break wherever your heart desires in Montreux
15:00 - 17h15
Group guitar lesson
19:00
Dinner @ Tralala Hotel (incl.)
After dinner
Acoustic jam in the hotel bar
TUESDAY 13TH OCT.
7:00 - 10:30
Breakfast at the hotel (incl.)
10:45 - 12:45
Group guitar lesson
12:45-15:00
Free lunch break wherever your heart desires in Montreux
15:00 - 17h15
Group guitar lesson
19:00
Dinner @ Tralala Hotel (incl.)
After dinner
Acoustic jam in the hotel bar
FRIDAY 16TH OCT.
7:00 - 10:30
Breakfast at the hotel (incl.)
by 12:00
Checkout
Time to say goodbye
& "see you next year"!
Wondering what's on the menu for the week?
Enjoy 4 hours of guitar classes a day from Monday to Thursday, followed by evening jam sessions with everyone who wishes to join after dinner. We've also planned free time for you in the mornings and at lunch time to be able to practice in between classes, or go out and explore beautiful Montreux!
On Wednesday evening, you're in for a treat as we'll be taking you up to a Swiss Chalet restaurant in Caux (1150m in altitude) by rack railway to admire the view over the lake (well, we can't guarantee the weather!) and enjoy a typical Swiss fondue night!
MONTREUX
SCHEDULE OF THE WEEK
"We all came down to Montreux, on the Lake Geneva shoreline [...] Smooooke on the Water"!
OK, this isn't blues, but... did you know Deep Purple wrote their song in Montreux in 1971? It was inspired by a fire at the Casino by the lake during a Frank Zappa concert.
Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps, Montreux is a place where music and atmosphere naturally meet. It is such a beautiful little place, and home of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival. The walkable city has attracted legendary blues & jazz musicians as well as passionate audiences for decades.
TRALALA HOTEL
For an all-round inspiring musical experience, we’re happy to host Montreux Blues Week at the Tralala Hotel, a music-themed 3-star hotel in Montreux. Housed in a 17th-century historic building, it fully immerses you in music the moment you step inside, with hanging instruments and posters of the great musicians who helped make Montreux famous. Each bedroom is dedicated to an artist who left their mark on the city.
With your stay, you’ll benefit from the Montreux Riviera Card, which includes free public transport, free access to Queen: The Studio Experience, and discounts on other local attractions.
Note: Scroll down and book your entire stay directly with us in one click to benefit from the best rate.
RESIDENTIAL OPTION: HALF-BOARD & WORKSHOPS
(You wanna be able to say you "lived" in Montreux!)
IT'S JUST ME
(SINGLE ROOM)
CHF 1'420.-
This most complete option includes:
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5 nights @ Tralala Hotel (single occupancy - ensuite)
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5 breakfasts
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from Mon. to Fri.
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5 dinners
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from Sun. to Thurs.
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4 hours of group guitar lessons per day with the tutor of your choice
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Evening jams
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Free public transportation between Montreux-Vevey & tourism discounts (Montreux Riviera Card)
BLUES BEGINNER with Diana
Pay a 50% deposit. Balance due by 1st August 2026.
See Terms & Conditions below.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED with Chris
Pay a 50% deposit, balance due by 1st August 2026.
See Terms & Conditions below.
YOU + 1
(DOUBLE ROOM)
CHF 1'720.-
This option is for participants who wish to bring a non-guitarist travel partner:
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5 nights @ Tralala Hotel (double occupancy - ensuite)
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5 breakfasts x 2
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from Mon. to Fri
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for you & your travel partner
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5 dinners x 2
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from Sun. to Thurs.
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for you & your travel partner
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4 hours of group guitar lessons per day with the tutor of your choice, just for you
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Evening jams
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Free public transportation between Montreux-Vevey & tourism discounts (Montreux Riviera Card)
BLUES BEGINNER with Diana
Pay a 50% deposit. Balance due by 1st August 2026.
See Terms & Conditions below.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED with Chris
Pay a 50% deposit. Balance due by 1st August 2026.
See Terms & Conditions below.
NON-RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS
(You live closeby or prefer to make your own accommodation arrangements)
PRICES & ENROLMENT OPTIONS
GUITAR CLASSES ONLY
CHF 765.-
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4 hours of group guitar lessons per day with the tutor of your choice
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from Mon. 12.10.26 to Thurs. 15.10.26
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10:45 to 12:45
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15:00 to 17:15
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evening jams (optional)
GUITAR +
SOCIAL DINNERS
CHF 920.-
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4 hours of group guitar lessons per day with the tutor of your choice
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from Mon. 12.10.26 to Thurs. 15.10.26
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10:45 to 12:45
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15:00 to 17:15
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4 dinners at Tralala Hotel (Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs.)
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Fondue night @ Le Coucou (Wed)
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public transportation not included
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Evening jams (optional)
11-16TH OCTOBER 2026
TERMS & CONDITIONS
14-Day Cooling-Off Period
For bookings made before 1st June 2026, participants benefit from a 14-day cooling-off period starting from the date of booking. During this period, you may cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all amounts paid, provided the cancellation is made in writing within 14 calendar days of booking.
After the 14-day cool-off period:
Booking & Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking to secure your place. Your registration is confirmed once the deposit is received.
Balance Payment
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 1st August 2026, in line with our hotel booking commitments.
Cancellations After the Cooling-Off Period
After the 14-day cooling-off period has passed, the following terms apply:
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Up to 120 days before the retreat (by 13 June 2026):
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Refund of amounts paid minus the non-refundable deposit.
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From 14 June to 30 August 2026:
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50% refund of the balance paid, deposit retained.
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After 31 August 2026:
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No refunds will be issued, as accommodation and organisational costs can no longer be recovered.
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Participant Substitution
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your place to another participant at no additional cost, subject to written notification and approval, no later than 30 days before the retreat.
Cancellation by the Organiser
In the unlikely event that the workshop is cancelled by the organiser (e.g. insufficient enrolment or force majeure), all payments will be fully refunded. No further compensation can be claimed.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!
Contact Diana: diana@opus1604.ch
Contact Chris: CHRIS EMAIL
We can't wait to spend Montreux Blues Week with you!