Chris Stevens Guitar Tuition

Individualisation:

Each student is assessed on their own merits, wants and needs. Individual programmes of learning are constructed in absolute partnership with the student, their parents/carers (if applicable) and myself to facilitate this objective.

In general, I run courses that are based on two separate elements; grades and performance:

Grades:

I strongly support the attainment of a progression of Acoustic Guitar Grade qualifications. These Grades, and their summative examinations, are devised by The Registry of Guitar Tutors and are administered in partnership with London College of Music Examinations, the qualifications finally awarded and certified by Thames Valley University. From Grade One onwards, RGT exams are accredited by Ofqual and have been placed on the National Qualifications Framework. From Grade Six onwards, RGT exams attract UCAS points towards university entrance.

Performance:

When considering learning to play an instrument, arguably more important than the attainment of qualifications is the ability and confidence to perform - to play that instrument in front of an audience. Consequently, the ability to arrange songs for one voice and a guitar in such a way that they are not only well formed, developed and dynamically complete, but also engaging, entertaining and compulsive listening, is a skill well learned.

With this in mind, I consider one of the best baptisms to performance to be busking - ad-hoc street performance. The levels of confidence, determination and self-assurance required to busk are quite substantial and an excellent way of introducing a person to the performance arena, as the audience is not static - they haven't come just to see you play!

Furthermore, the senses of excitment, achievement and enjoyment that are experienced from playing a street for the first time are exceptional - an indescribable buzz! The slideshow below shows a few groups of my students strutting their funky stuff!