The Tuition Methods
Jools Holland put it best: "As a child you learn to talk before you read, the same is true of music"
I am taking guitar tuition and bringing it into the real world; ready for playing to an audience, even within a band, not just in your bedroom reliant on a book.
During your introductory lesson I will first assess your experience and interests then if I am training beginners from the ground-up the plan goes gradualy like this;
- A brief series of finger/hand flexibility and co-ordination exercises and a simple tune to take away and put them into practice with.
- Every time a new technique such as slides, hammers, pulls, bends, arpeggio, finger pick or fret tapping is introduced I will bring in a song you know that uses it so you can practice with pleasure.
- I have kept track of, and pass on the parts of the learnings from my 1992 GCSE music which to this day are part of my rock music fluency.
- We will use music of your taste in the lessons and if it is relevant to your line of musicianship I introduce the theory that is being applied in that song; Scales for riffs & solos, 'Walking bass lines', Chord theory, Time signatures & Syncopation.
- When you get used to handling your instrument and an understanding of what makes up music of your style, then you may be able to create a piece of your own. I will program a drum section, write a bass line, synthesizers if you're into that sound, then we can hit the Record button.
- I understand that not everybody has the knack for writing their own music, so the other way to put musicianship into play is to perform a differently styled version of a song you learned to play fluently. Mellow Rage ATM? Heavy Snow Patrol?
The learning process is not always fun and games though, the real guitar does not come in an X-Box, with coloured lights and a computerised crowd cheering you on. It may be frustrating at times, some brief areas may be a bit tedious, and many skills require much practice before you are fully capable. Just don't expect a magic wand in a month or you may be disappointed.
Chin Up!! Get the real skills, then the real crowd, stage and lights and I guarantee you it's a better buzz!!