Testimonials from previous sessions:

"I can still remember almost 7-8 years ago when I attended my first Grooveworks class, I was introduced to a whole different way of listening to music. And in the next 2+ years that I kept at it,  can honestly say that Greg Lyons opened my ears and my mind to a approach and an attitude of playing music that I bring to a lot of different areas of my life. Having taken my musical journey to some pretty distant places and then back again, I'm so glad to be paying homage by attending Groove Works once again. I'm all set for another excitingw months of stretching myself playing-wise."

Keith Ong - bass.

“This is an AWESOME course! It combines to an unprecedented degree music theory with its practical application on the bandstand.

Greg shares with students his unique approach to music and improvisation. Anyone who admires Greg as a musician will be even more impressed with him as an educator and mentor.

Whatever your level or ability, Greg is UNRELENTING when it comes to really pushing you to go beyond your comfort zone and explore the edges of your creative expression – from technical knowledge like altered scales and odd meters, to musical ‘EQ’ like how to build solos or back a soloist when accompanying.

For me, the best part of this course was playing and performing WITH Greg, through which you’ll get to learn his uncompromising approach to music – from his belief that that there is no ‘right’ in jazz, to his view that every musician is a constant arranger, adjusting to fit into the context of the music that is being created in the moment.

This course is ideal for anyone interested in becoming a better musician. To this day, I’ll never dare to ‘practice’ while playing a gig, for the gig is AN EVENT, and for that, I have to thank Greg – I learnt that from him.”

Edmund Wuu - saxophone.

Here's my story of Grooveworks:

I wanted to be immersed in Jazz and I knew I had to find a band that I could learn through just playing with those that are at least the same or better than me. I didn't want to go the college route as I had bills to pay. I tried the regular jazz standards jam sessions at Blu Jaz and Artistry, but it was hard to get a regular playing spot. I ended up playing simple standards that I could not relate or were too sterile.

I started Grooveworks in June 2017 with the electric bass. By then, I had learnt the double bass and could bow with good basics at hand. Immediately I noticed that bassists were in short supply in the course. So I worked on the course materials and the programme, and within the 2nd course I was playing with the seasoned band. I felt that I was given the best resources to excel. Greg was ever welcoming of trying untested instruments, and so I was lugging the double bass to the course soon.

I learnt many, many skills that no textbook or youtube can teach. Probably only if you are able to find a mentor or great band to slowly guide you through can the same be achieved. Creating and maintaining an effective groove, feeling the flow of a tune with the band, song structure grounding (since the bass brings all instruments together) to support lead instruments. Creating good starts and ends, maintaining song interest among audience. Other skills related to preparation: how to handle fast songs, odd time and underlying clave. A must skill in the course is how to effectively internalise a tune.

I got to play in many great places:
- Blu Jaz, Harry's, Maduro, Esplanade. No Black Tie in KL, M'sia. (3 day 2 nite all music experience, all covered by the course, we were paid too like working musicians!)

Grooveworks provides many opportunities to prepare yourself for a recording. The course teaches that this will complete your sound, so that you will truly be unique, soundwise.

I get to know many other professional players in the course, and this has led to more bass work. The course derived exposure is so great that I feel completely comfortable in most performance settings and genres, say Straight ahead, latin, odd time or funk. Even slap bass is good in the course!

In 2021, will be my 4th year in the course. I have always been self-studied music wise, but learning through first hand experience, along with a seasoned mentor is a very solid way. A definite plus is Greg's love for teaching.

Fabian Lee - electric and upright basses.

"What I like about Greg's teaching is that his guidance was focused on preparing his students to make real music in real-life situations.

His teaching emphasizes the importance of each and every instrumentalist's role in the ensemble. For me (a pianist), he stressed on the importance of listening to the soloist and rhythm section carefully so that I can comp at the right time and make tasteful decisions. He also stressed on the importance of playing to the context of the music - in a modern jazz tune we are encouraged to use our adventurous instincts but when the context switches to a more traditional aesthetic we need to adapt accordingly.

Greg is also particular about rhythm and groove. He once said that we should all be able to dance to feel the groove alone. In his classes, he introduced several percussion instruments to us and got the ensemble to play them together as an exercise in rhythm and groove.

Overall, there is a lot that I have learnt from Greg. His lessons are always enriching and he constantly introduces his students to the music of current top jazz artists. It is admirable that he keeps adding to his musical repertoire by listening to this many artists. Through him, I have gotten to know about and learn the music of excellent though underrated artists such as Seamus Blake, Rosario Guilani, Geoffrey Keezer, Chris Potter and Kurt Rosenwinkel to name a few."

Rachma Lim - piano.

“I enjoyed the challenge during all the sessions. Greg not only teaches you the music, but teaches you to listen to the music, listen to your bandmates, and feel the music.

You will learn an awful lot of band dynamics, and how organic learning music can be with other fellow music makers.”

Raf “Soundwalker” Mahmood - drums.

“I have been looking for something like Grooveworks for a long time, and what I envisioned as the perfect learning environment, Greg has perfected in Grooveworks.

Not only am I learning how to improvise better collaborating with other musicians, I am meeting and networking with like-minded musicians. I’m making lifelong friendships in the process.”

Justin Baird - saxophone & bass.

The best learning ground I have found so far for sure. It consists in achieving the deep internalization of material which is carefully chosen to be challenging and yet achievable, through some good hard work and plenty of fun!

Jerome Chosson - harmonica and bass