Mark Rolfe: Electric, Classical, Acoustic, Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Music Theory - full
Emily Cash: Acoustic Guitar Tutor - spaces July
Mal Fairless: Electric Guitar Tutor - spaces
Contact 07985 250605 for more information
About Learning Music
Learning=Enjoyment
(also see inspiration, wonder, achievement)
learn·ing - noun |
Definitions: |
|
1. acquiring of knowledge: the acquisition of knowledge or skill |
2. acquired knowledge: knowledge or skill gained through education |
3. psychology change in knowledge: a relatively permanent change in, or acquisition of, knowledge, understanding, or behavior |
en·joy·ment (plural en·joy·ments ) - noun |
Definitions: |
|
1. pleasure: pleasure that results from using or experiencing something |
2. experiencing of something pleasurable: the experiencing of something that provides pleasure |
3. source of pleasure: something that gives pleasure |
4. use or benefit: the use or benefit of something, especially as a legal right |
Why Take up an instrument?
Although the answer to that question may lay in each individual's soul, there is proven research that learning a musical instrument not only hinds our academic ability, but it enlightens our spirits and minds. Learning music is FUN. There is no greater reward than playing your first gig, your first album or just playing your first song to a friend or relative. As a music teacher, I am forever encouraging students to play in groups and start bands/ensembles. Music can also be a wonderful antidote for stress, and a proven escapism from the stress and strains of everyday routine.
Guitar Lessons
Electric Guitar: This is mainly for those who wish to play rock/pop music. . Studies are based upon reading tablature (TAB) and at a more advanced level standard notation(melody), chord charts, diagrams and progressions. All of these techniques are taught and developed from the first lesson. Studies can also include specialist techniques such as picking (PIMA technique), and slide guitar.
Acoustic Guitar: Not to be confused with classical guitar, acoustic guitar is mostly based around contemporary and traditional acoustic music. Studies are again based upon reading tablature and notation (melody), chord charts, diagrams and progressions. All of these techniques are taught and developed from the first lesson. Studies can also include specialist techniques such as picking (PIMA technique), and slide guitar.
Classical Guitar: This, perhaps is the harder of the studies (but the most beautiful!).Tthe full size classical guitar is the largest instrument in the family, and it may take a while to develop the required fingering/posture (although some half and three quarter size classicals are available for younger children). A study of classical guitar is based around classical music notation, therefore students would learn to read classical based music in their lesson. Repertoire usually ranges from music as diverse as renaissance and early music, Baroque and classical right through to contemporary ideas and pieces.
Equipment
In lessons I provide usage of a wide range of electric, acoustic, classical and guitars as well as amplifiers and effects. The student literally needs nothing to start apart from a piece of paper, a pencil, a few guitar picks and a heaps of enthusiasm. Having your own instrument/set up would heed your practice greatly, however I do have a small amount of equipment for hire at a very reasonable price.
Anyone can play guitar!
I've heard them all over the years: "my hands are too small", "my fingers do not stretch enough" - These are all nonsense. 90% of problems with the guitar playing hand is the rest of the body, your hand can stretch perfectly well around the fret board if you apply the correct posture. I've taught students as young as 7 and as old as 70. We all have the same physical anatomy, some needs to be trained more than others but ANYONE is more than capable.
The learning process
Teaching wise, the first step for ME is to listen to YOU. I have a very wide and diverse range of music tastes and influences from Neil Young to Shostakovich, The Who to Joni Mitchell, Metallica to Death Cab For Cutie, The Flaming Lips to Debussy and Kraftwerk to Rachmaninov. I am as likely to listen to My Chemical Romance as I am to 16th century early music or a Bach guitar transcription. I thrive on both contemporary/rock and classical music. I have learnt enough in life now to realize that music lessons should be your moment, your time and under your rules. Saying this, I do expect a certain amount of ground work and discipline for students, if only to help them realize their own potential and to reach their own goals. I am happy to teach an individual a tailor made course devised from my initial consultation with you, or I am happy to go straight into the more fundamental grading system and teach The London College of Music syllabus. For more information on gradings (and to find out why they are not so daunting) click here.
I am a firm believer that the key to being successful on your instrument is broken down into the three following concepts of learning:
It can be explained more clearly by the a simple algorithm:
Conceptual + Physical= Creative
For example: If in Lesson No.3 I was to show you 3 guitar chords, lets say G, C and D7. I would show you the optimum ways of making them sound clear, and patterns of how to remember the shapes, showing you how to read and interpret these in music. This is conceptual.
You would then physically practice these methods and ideas in lesson time and your own time, until eventually you would be able to apply these into something creative such as a song!
a man of great learning 
eating with great enjoyment 
his obvious enjoyment of the concert 
Fishing is one of her chief enjoyments. 
the enjoyment of his property rights