Play and Sing Like a Pro – Smart Guitar workshop

The clever idea here is simple: use a stringless LiberLive Smart Guitar to help you get playing and singing without first wrestling with the usual beginner hurdles. In five hours, you work through guided songs and practical exercises, with the aim of playing a complete song by the end.

I like two things in particular: Karyn and Sheng Li make room for complete beginners, and the session moves beyond a demonstration into hands-on practice and singing. You can also meet other music-minded people, with continued community sessions and resources among the listed attendee extras.

One consideration: this is a five-hour commitment, and the workshop venue changes by date. Check the address for your session before booking, bring wired 3.5mm earphones, and note that the 6 November session at Life Unlimited @ 170 is for ages 50 and above only.

What to know before you book

• A guitar shortcut for beginners: The LiberLive Smart Guitar is designed to make playing easier to start, so you can focus on chords, rhythm, and singing rather than traditional string technique.
• Five hours of guided learning: The program includes an introduction, a Q&A and break, then a guided session applying what you have learned to a song.
• A song is the practical goal: The workshop is built around playing and singing, not just listening to an explanation. Many participants leave able to play a full song.
• Two named instructors: Karyn and Sheng Li lead the teaching, with a patient, interactive approach suited to people who are new to music.
• Your venue depends on the date: Sessions may be at the Lifelong Learning Institute, Waterloo Street, Peninsula Plaza, or Life Unlimited @ 170.
• Check the final price and age terms: The activity is SG Culture Pass eligible. The listed starting prices differ between the summary and package details, so confirm the amount for your chosen session.

A first guitar lesson without the usual hurdles

Learning an instrument can feel like a long climb before you reach the fun part. You need to understand how to hold it, where to put your fingers, how to change chords, and how to keep time. For a beginner, that can make the first song seem far away.

This workshop takes a different route. The LiberLive Smart Guitar is a stringless instrument that uses smart technology to simplify playing. The point is not to turn you into a seasoned guitarist in an afternoon. It is to give you a way into music that feels approachable, so you can start making sounds and singing sooner.

That makes this a good first step if you have wanted to play guitar but never got around to starting, or if previous attempts left you frustrated. The workshop is open to people with no musical experience, and the teaching is designed to break ideas into small, usable steps. You do not need to arrive knowing chords or music theory.

The instrument is also useful for people who already sing but want a simple way to accompany themselves. You will still need to pay attention and practise, but the technology is intended to reduce some of the fiddly early work.

Five hours, from introduction to song

The workshop lasts five hours and is divided into three parts. The schedule begins with an introduction to playing and singing with the Smart Guitar. This is where you meet the instrument and get a sense of how it works before moving into guided practice.

The teaching is hands-on. Rather than sitting through a long talk about music, you can expect to try the instrument and build skills through songs and exercises. Participants describe learning basic chords and applying them on the guitar, even with no earlier music background.

Next comes a Q&A and break session. This is a useful pause in a long class: you can ask about anything that has felt unclear, catch your breath, and have the included refreshments. Some sessions have offered pizza, but the exact refreshments are not specified, so treat that as a possible extra rather than a promise.

The final part is a guided song application. You bring the earlier ideas together by playing and singing along to a song. This is the moment that gives the session its practical shape. Instead of leaving with a page of theory, you have had a chance to use the instrument in a musical context.

The five-hour length gives the workshop time to repeat and practise, which matters when you are learning a new movement or chord. At the same time, it is a substantial block of your day. The sessions are described as active and interactive, but if you prefer a brief taster class, this may feel long.

Karyn and Sheng Li keep it beginner-friendly

The instructors, Karyn and Sheng Li, are central to the experience. Their teaching style is described as patient, energetic, and easy to follow. They encourage questions and help people work through the basics at a manageable pace.

That matters because a room of beginners rarely learns at one speed. Some people may find a chord quickly, while others need more guidance with finger placement or timing. The instructors’ job is to keep the class moving without making slower learners feel left behind. The workshop also has had alumni helping participants, adding extra support during practice.

There may be a short performance element, too. The class can encourage participants to play a song in front of others, which is a useful confidence-builder if you want to sing and play outside the workshop. You should not mistake that for a formal concert or professional training. It is a low-pressure chance to try what you have learned in a group setting.

The atmosphere is aimed at making beginners comfortable, not testing them. You may come alone and find yourself practising with new people. Group learning can be a bonus if you like shared activity, though anyone hoping for a private lesson should know this is a workshop rather than one-to-one instruction.

What the Smart Guitar can and cannot do

The LiberLive C1 is described as a stringless Smart Guitar. Its purpose is to help you play sooner by making the learning process more accessible. That can be appealing if traditional guitar has seemed daunting, or if you want a first taste of playing and singing without committing to a long course.

The workshop introduces the instrument and gives you guided time to use it. It is best viewed as an entry point, not a replacement for every part of learning a conventional guitar. If your main goal is to master traditional guitar technique, ask yourself whether this particular instrument and short workshop match that goal.

But if your priority is to make music quickly, learn a song, and build confidence, the format has a clear advantage. You can focus on singing and playing together, which is often the part people have been hoping to do all along.

The course is also open to a broad range of ages, with no general age limit listed. The exception is the 6 November session at Life Unlimited @ 170, which is reserved for people aged 50 and above. Families with children should check the selected session details rather than assume every date has the same age arrangement.

Venue changes, so check the address carefully

The meeting point is listed as Lifelong Learning Institute, at 11 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408601. Other possible venues include Black Box @ 42 Waterloo Street, MIT Space Pte Ltd at Peninsula Plaza, and Life Unlimited @ 170 empowered by Lions Befrienders at 170 Stirling Road.

Because the venue depends on the date, do not plan your trip using the general meeting point alone. Confirm the address for your chosen session and look out for the event email, which is due about one week before the workshop. The Lifelong Learning Institute is noted as less convenient for some people travelling from the north or south of the island, so allow time for the journey.

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start. Bring wired earphones with a 3.5mm jack, as requested for the session. A voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, so check those details before you leave home.

The activity includes admission, the workshop agenda, an English- or Chinese-speaking guide, and refreshments. Personal expenses are not included. The stated cancellation terms are strict: cancellations and refunds are not available.

Is the price worth five hours?

The price information is not entirely consistent: the summary gives a starting price of $110.15, while the package details show US$100.15. Treat those as displayed starting figures, not a guaranteed total for every date. Check the price and currency for your selected session before paying.

Value depends on what you want from the class. For a beginner, the fee covers five hours of instruction, access to the Smart Guitar workshop, guided song practice, a Q&A, and refreshments. That is more substantial than a quick instrument demonstration. If you finish able to play a song and feel confident enough to keep practising, the time and cost may feel well spent.

The workshop is also eligible for Singapore’s SG Culture Pass, which can improve the value if you are able to use that benefit. Listed attendee extras include premium resources, guided sessions, community access, and a guitar discount. The precise terms of those extras are not detailed, so check what is included for your booking rather than assuming each benefit is automatic.

The strongest value is for someone who has been curious about music but needs a friendly first step. If you already play guitar well, the beginner focus may not give you much new technique. If you are unsure whether you will enjoy the instrument, the workshop offers a structured way to try it before deciding what to learn next.

Who should sign up

I would consider this workshop if you are new to guitar, want to sing while accompanying yourself, or have tried learning an instrument and found the first steps discouraging. The guided song format gives you a concrete goal, while the instructors’ patient approach helps make the class less intimidating.

It can also suit people looking for a social activity. You may work with others and meet people who share your interest in music. Several participants have found the group element a welcome part of the day, and the organizers offer continued community activity after the workshop.

It is less suited to someone looking for advanced guitar lessons, detailed instrumental technique, or a short drop-in activity. Five hours is a real commitment, and the Smart Guitar’s simplified approach may not be what you want if your goal is specifically to learn a conventional guitar from the ground up.

Should you book this Smart Guitar workshop?

Book it if you want a practical, encouraging introduction to playing and singing, and you like the idea of working toward a song in one session. The combination of a beginner-friendly instrument, hands-on practice, and support from Karyn and Sheng Li gives you a clear reason to try it.

Before booking, confirm the venue, session date, age restriction, and final price. Bring the required wired earphones, and go in expecting a lively introduction rather than mastery in an afternoon. For a first step into music, that is a fair and appealing promise.

FAQ

Do I need music or guitar experience?

No. The workshop is designed for beginners, and no prior music experience is needed.

How long is the workshop?

The guided workshop lasts five hours.

What instrument will I use?

The workshop uses the LiberLive Smart Guitar, described as a stringless Smart Guitar. The equipment is identified as the LiberLive C1.

Will I learn to play a song?

The workshop includes a guided song application session. The format aims to help you play and sing a song by the end of the session.

Who leads the workshop?

The named instructors are Karyn and Sheng Li. The session includes an English- or Chinese-speaking guide.

What should I bring?

Bring wired earphones with a 3.5mm jack.

What is included in the booking?

The booking includes admission to the five-hour guided workshop, a workshop agenda, an English- or Chinese-speaking guide, and refreshments.

Where does the workshop take place?

Possible venues include Lifelong Learning Institute, Black Box at 42 Waterloo Street, MIT Space Pte Ltd at Peninsula Plaza, and Life Unlimited @ 170. The venue depends on the date, so confirm the address for your session.

Is there an age limit?

The general activity has no age limit. The 6 November session at Life Unlimited @ 170 is only for seniors aged 50 and above.

Can I cancel or get a refund?

No. The stated terms do not allow cancellations or refunds.