M.A. (University of Wales Trinity Saint David)
P.G.C.E. (London University Institute of Education)
G.R.S.M. (hons.) (Royal College of Music)

Guitar, Keyboard / Piano, Violin and Music Theory Lessons Online Via SKYPE: Fun & Success with Qualified Experienced Teacher - All Ages and Abilities Welcome

 

Have you always wanted to play an instrument, or wished you’d kept on with your lessons? 

*** It’s never too late! ***

Anyone can learn to play an instrument. All it takes is a little regular practise, access to music you enjoy, and effective guidance from a professional who tailors lessons to your needs. 

I am a friendly, enthusiastic and patient teacher, with over 40 years success in teaching and playing. I welcome students of all ages, all abilities and all levels.

I provide tuition online via Skype, on weekdays and evenings. Play just for fun, or follow a more formal path. Learn at your own pace, take your playing in the direction you want, and enjoy a real sense of achievement as you progress.

Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced musician I can help you to develop your skills and enjoy making your own music.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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FURTHER INFORMATION:

Lessons are provided on a one-to-one basis online via SKYPE

RGT Registered Tutor


WHY CHOOSE ME AS YOUR TEACHER?
In addition to the well-known advantages of learning any musical instrument (improved co-ordination, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, patience etc.) there are additional benefits to choosing an experienced and qualified teacher:

* Make continuous progress at your own rate – Lessons are tailored to your needs, gently moving you forward at a pace which is comfortable and right for you.

* Learn from a friendly, experienced, and qualified teacher – I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music and a qualified class teacher, with experience of teaching music and instruments at primary, secondary and adult education levels, in class, group and one-to-one tuition. With over 40 years of success in teaching you can rest assured you are in good hands.

* Play the kind of music you enjoy – Although originally classically trained, my tastes are varied and my approach is to teach a technique that will enable you to play whatever style of music you most enjoy. Once you have learned the basic techniques you choose the music you want to learn.

* Explore a wide range of musical styles – If you aren’t sure what style of music you prefer, or just want some variety, we can try music from a range styles and cultures – again, you choose!

* Develop skills that will enable you to play any music you want – You will learn a technique that is not specific to one particular style. Once you have learned the basics that technique can be applied to any style of music you want to explore.

* Have fun through success! – Everyone enjoys doing things they are good at. The skills I will teach you will ensure your continued success and enjoyment … providing you practise regularly!


ABOUT THE LESSONS:
I teach essential technical skills that will provide a solid grounding in playing the instrument (for the Guitar the technique is variously known as acoustic / finger style / Spanish / classical etc. - N.B. not electric or playing with a pick). For all instruments this involves learning the basic notes and techniques relating to the instrument and will enable you to play whatever style of music you want – in fact many of the best rock and pop musicians trained this way!

All lessons cover:
* Reading music notation
* Right-hand and left-hand instrumental techniques
* Basic musical knowledge and understanding
* Correct positioning 
* How to practise effectively


Other (optional) elements include:
* Advanced instrumental techniques
* Music theory
* Ear training
* Preparation for more serious study (music examinations, G.C.S.E and A’ Levels etc.)


MUSIC:
For complete beginners we will follow a specific course that is designed to introduce you to all the key techniques required to master the guitar. This will be supplemented with additional music as needed, giving you a truly individual and tailored approach.

For those who have mastered the basic techniques music will be chosen in consultation with you, based on the styles of music you prefer, the playing standard required and the technical elements that feature in the music. This may include:

* Published music of any style
* Music you enjoy from a CD, MP3, YouTube video etc. – I can transcribe and arrange them to suit your technical ability
* Folk and other song arrangements
* Accompaniments to songs you enjoy
* Performance preparation for GCSE and A’ Level examinations
* Preparation for graded examinations


The main aim is that your lessons are fun, you are motivated and inspired by the music, and that (with a little regular practise!) you continue to make steady progress.


ABOUT ME:
I am a friendly, enthusiastic and patient teacher, with over 40 years success in teaching and playing. I welcome students of all ages, all abilities and all levels.
 

I have been playing musical instruments for most of my life, having come from a musical family, and have been teaching for over 40 years both in class, ensemble, small group and one-to-one situations.

I am a graduate of the Royal College of Music, one of the top institutions for music education in the country. Though my specialism was the classical guitar, I also studied the piano and violin, and was the first guitarist to be awarded the G.R.S.M.(hons.) degree. I have since delved into other styles (banjo tunes, jazz, rock, Celtic folk music, alternate tunings etc.) and other instruments (banjo, melodeon, small-pipes, ukulele, steel pans, flute, saxophone, etc.). I am also a qualified teacher (P.G.C.E. London University Institute of Education) and have held the post of Head of Music at both primary and secondary school level. I achieved a Master of the Arts degree (MA) at the University of Wales Trinity St David, with distinction. My thesis for this, which was awarded a First Class mark, concerned the Bagpipe tradition during the Scottish Enlightenment.

As a musician I have performed throughout Britain and abroad: as a soloist, in a duo, as part of a small chamber group and in larger choirs and orchestras. I have also published a range of music repertoire and arranged music professionally for a varied range of instruments, for example Paul Brett’s ‘The Compleat Angler’ for 6- and 12-string guitar and chamber group (see YouTube), and my work has been published in respected music magazines such as ‘Melody Maker'. 

In addition to being active in the music world with arranging and publishing, I continue to perform, not only in formal musical ensembles but also in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of open mic venues. 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

I have been an instrumental teacher for over 40 years, providing individual, paired, or group tuition as a private teacher, a peripatetic instrumental teacher, and a school class teacher.

In addition to specific instrumental lessons, I have run a number of school holiday masterclasses, whereby groups of children work all day to perfect a group of ensemble pieces, which are performed to parents at the end of the day. I have also run extra curricular music classes (guitar, string groups, recorder, choir, orchestra, and various other instrumental combinations) and have organised numerous full-length concerts and other shorter performance opportunities for my students in both primary and secondary schools.

Students' ages range from 4 to 87! Many play just for pleasure, whilst others choose to take formal graded music examinations. Of these, 100% have passed, most pass with merit or distinction.

ONLINE TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

I have been providing music tuition online for a number of years - since well before the pandemic - teaching guitar (classical, acoustic, fingerstyle), piano, violin and music theory. I have a fully equipped music studio which is set up with everything needed to provide high quality interactive tuition via Skype, and students of all ages and abilities, from all over the world, benefit from tuition this way.

SKYPE TUITION

Music teaching via Skype is the ideal online solution for anyone who wants to study music, whether they wish to follow a formal path or just play for fun and relaxation.

All you need is a webcam (built in to most laptops and tablets) and a good internet connection. Skype software is free to download, and to use, which means everyone can have access to high quality 'virtual' music lessons.

Benefits of Skype tuition include:

• Access to an excellent teacher:  It is better to have Skype tuition with an excellent teacher than it is to have in-person lessons with a less-skilled teacher. Skype tuition means students have access to the best teacher without being restricted only to those in their local region.
• Weekly convenience:  Skype lessons mean you no longer have to spend up to 30 minutes each way travelling to and from lessons each week, leaving you more time to to do other things.
• Fewer missed lessons: If students forget a lesson the teacher can make a reminder call, and the lesson can begin there and then - the lack of travelling saves lesson time, and reduces missed lessons, ensuring full value for money.
• Convenience of recording lessons:  Students can easily record Skype lessons for review at a later time with free software such as Open Broadcaster Software. Please ask for details.
• Immediate Practicing: Students can practise immediately after the lesson, while ideas are fresh and when energy levels are still high. The immediacy of this practice session will always be of higher quality, than practise done the next day.
• Siblings don’t have To wait: Brothers and sisters can do whatever they like while the lesson is in process – no more having to sit still and quietly until their siblings are done!
• Warming up: Students can warm up before their lesson, so they are likely to be playing at their best immediately during hte lesson. Piano students can also play their own instrument.  Both of these benefits mean that lesson time is maximised, since there is no need to warm up or adjust to the instrument in the lesson.
• Reduced off-task behaviour: Studies have shown that in-person lessons contain 36% more off-task behavior than distance lessons, again maximising lesson time.
• Increased student performance: The same study indicates that students spend 22% more time performing during distance lessons than in face-to-face lessons.
• Diagnose some problems more quickly: Sometimes the technical or musical problems students experience in their lesson can be an unexpected product of their  instrument, or the practise environment at home. When the teacher sees the student in their home set up through online tuition, these factors can be identified immediately and addressed promptly.
• No need for quarantine: Students no longer need to cancel lessons because of illness in the family, leading to fewer missed lessons and greater continuity.
• No need for transport: Lessons need no longer be missed because of a car breakdown or repair, or because no-one can drive students to the teacher. Again this means fewer missed lessons, which improves continuity and leads to increased progress.

RATES:

Skype lessons are charged at £18 per half hour / £36 per hour lesson.