About the Business
I have acquired a wealth of experience within the music business, with a semi-professional involvement that has spanned over thirty years. I didn’t pick up the electric guitar until I was seventeen, but I was playing in a band within six months due to my obsession and methodical self-teaching.
I now play several related instruments i.e. acoustic guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, mandolin and the diatonic harmonica. I offer lessons on all these instruments.
I became a music teacher at a relatively late stage in my career, in fact it happened almost by accident! I had just been made redundant from an engineering position, and was killing time in a local music shop by trying out a guitar (October 2002). The proprietor was evidently impressed with my playing, because he asked if I was interested in taking on students.
My first students were all originally customers of this shop (Muzart, in Bishop’s Stortford). Another local music shop in Harlow (Tones) has also been kind enough to allow me to advertise in their premises for students. I have since become a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors. and the Musicians Union.
I consider myself as one of the lucky people whose hobby and interest have grown into a successful living.
Business Services
Teaching: Musical Instrument Tuition
Teacher of electric and acoustic guitar, banjo, electric bass, harmonica, ukulele and mandolin.
I give lessons in electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and ukulele in my studio in Harlow, Essex. I tutor all ages from beginner to advanced in pop, rock, blues, country and folk styles. I am a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors and I teach RGT Electric and Acoustic Exams up to Grade 5. My fees are £20 an hour.
Teaching strategy:
I am a great believer in teaching students what they want to know as well as what I think they need to know. Each lesson is tailored for the student’s needs at that time. He or she may be a complete beginner, struggling to play basic chords or an advanced player seeking to explore improvisational techniques.
Music theory is also covered, again dependent on the student’s realistic need. Where appropriate, students are given clearly typed chord and scale diagrams, along with written transcripts and audio recordings of songs/exercises they are working on. This is important in enabling them to practice efficiently between lessons.
Solo Performances
Playing pop music from the 50s to the 90s.
Having fronted various pub and club bands throughout the eighties, I turned my attention to solo performing in the early nineties. Unlike the majority of solo artists on the club/hotel circuit, I don’t just sing and play along to “bought” backing tracks. I have spent a great deal of time in my home studio ensuring that everything that comes out of my PA on stage is actually produced by me.
My solo performances cover popular music from the fifties to the nineties, including rock, pop, country, rock and roll, reggae and singalong, and my repertoire spans the tastes of every age group.
Location & Hours
161 Jocelyns
