I beg your Baden? Baden Baden – Germany

Day 1: Monday, June 17th

Arrival in Baden-Baden

I landed in Baden-Baden on Monday, June 17th, feeling the mix of excitement and anticipation that always comes with visiting a new place. After a quick taxi ride, I checked into The ADAMS self-check-in hotel. It was a pretty basic setup, but it had everything I needed. The room was clean, the Wi-Fi was strong, and the location was perfect for getting around.

After settling in, I spent the afternoon editing some videos that had been piling up. The desk in my room was surprisingly comfortable, so I managed to stay focused. As the day turned into evening, I ventured out into the town. Dinner was at Le Bistro, where I had a classic schnitzel and a glass of Riesling. Simple, but exactly what I needed after a long day of travel.

Later, I found myself at Rantastic Livebühne for their open mic night. The place had a lively crowd, and I couldn’t resist signing up to play a couple of songs. I ended up jamming with a local guitarist named Klaus, who had a deep love for blues music. Klaus told me about the influence of German classical composers on modern guitar techniques, something I hadn’t considered before. He recommended that I check out the works of Heinrich Albert, a guitarist and composer who played a crucial role in the development of the guitar repertoire in the early 20th century. We played a few blues standards, and I left the bar that night feeling inspired by Klaus’s passion and knowledge.

Day 2: Tuesday, June 18th

A Day of Work and Guitar Play

Tuesday started off with a quick breakfast and then straight into work mode. I had a couple of online lessons to teach via Zoom, so I set up shop in my room. The Wi-Fi was solid, and I managed to get through my lessons without a hitch. Teaching from a place like Baden-Baden is one of the perks of working remotely—being able to mix work with travel is something I’ll never take for granted.

After my lessons, I decided to explore a bit more of the town. Baden-Baden’s blend of historic architecture and lush green spaces makes it a beautiful place to just walk around and soak in the atmosphere. I spent some time in Lichtentaler Allee, a gorgeous park that runs along the Oos River, before heading back to the hotel to prepare for the evening.

That night, I visited Zukunft – Kultur und Werkhaus, a vibrant cultural space that hosts a variety of events. They were having a jam session, so I joined in. I met a musician named Anja, a brilliant jazz pianist with a deep understanding of harmony. Anja and I clicked musically right away, and she introduced me to some unique chord progressions that were totally new to me. She suggested I dive deeper into the work of Django Reinhardt, the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist, and how his style influenced not just jazz but guitar playing in Europe as a whole. The session went late into the night, and it was one of those magical musical experiences where everything just clicks.

Day 3: Wednesday, June 19th

Final Day and Farewell Jam

Wednesday was my last day in Baden-Baden, and it started with tying up some loose ends. I spent the morning finishing up my video edits and preparing for the journey home. Once everything was squared away, I took one last walk through the town. Baden-Baden is truly a peaceful place—its mix of culture, history, and natural beauty makes it somewhere I’d love to return to.

In the late afternoon, I returned to Rantastic Livebühne for one final jam session. This time, I played with a drummer named Peter and a bassist named Lena. Peter had a deep knowledge of rhythm and timing, and he taught me a few tricks about playing in odd time signatures—something I’d always found challenging. Lena, on the other hand, shared some insights into the local music scene, telling me about the Baden-Baden Philharmonic and its connection to the classical guitar. She suggested I listen to some recordings of the orchestra’s performances, particularly those featuring guitar solos.

As we wrapped up our last set, I realised how much I’d learned in just three days. Each person I jammed with left me with something new to explore, from classical guitar techniques to jazz improvisation. Baden-Baden was a perfect blend of work, music, and inspiration, and I left feeling more motivated than ever to continue growing as a musician. As the sun set and I packed up my guitar, I knew this was a trip I wouldn’t soon forget.