Paul Futter - Black Polaris
The almighty Paul Futter, my greatest legacy to-date; Currently hacking out serious thrash metal with the band Black Polaris Now signed to 'Fallen Empire Records' and with an EP available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Napster, EMusic & Rhapsody.
I won't try and take 100% credit for Paul's skills and success as I finished my work with him in late 2004 and he has obviously come even further since then through solid practice with other musicians and passion for whacking strings through a big amplifier. See what Paul did have to say though;
Paul's Testimonial;
"Del is the first and last guitar teacher I've worked with. Starting out being able to do close to nothing but power chords, Del got me started off on learning the techniques I needed. Now playing in a metal band with small label interests, I thank Del for everything he's done for me. Now a good mate of mine, I recommend Del if you need guitar tuition!"
Kieran White 
Kieran White, a student from 2001 had developed his skills well before going to Leeds university. Since back in Royston Kieran had become well known making countless solo and duo performances playing guitar and singing at Royston and Hitchin venues, then joined up with other musicians from the Royston music scene.
Kieran is now the busy front-man with hard-rock band T.O.Y. Radio, performing shows almost weekly everywhere from The Hertford Marquee to The Arena Tavern in Letchworth. Their EP is being promoted by Red Griffin Records and has recently been getting airtime on Cambridge's 209 FM Radio station.
Kieran played a one man acoustic covers show at a small pub 'The Plough' in Langford in April 2006 which I recorded. Here you can listen to and rate 3 of the songs, one of which 'Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind' is an original written with Chris Cummins.
Early solo gig only, click photos for new band music.
↑Top↑
Matt McCreadie - March Of The Arsonists
Matt McCreadie is the man I tag in this teenage punk⁄rock band. A craftily creative teen and a clear natural, 14yrs old with just a year of guitar experience behind him when we recorded his first self-written song 'Risky Business' (Link at the bottom). As soon as Matt cracked the skills using known songs, he was then writing his own, then was soon invited into bands.
Matt's Testimonial
"Del's teaching influenced my playing style and technique and during lessons he introduced me to new music. He turned me from a beginner, not knowing a single thing about guitars or how to play them, to a guitarist fluent in many different styles of playing and confident enough to go onstage and rock the hell out of anyone willing to listen."
First solo song only, click photos for band music.
↑Top↑
Fred Parrott - The Loud Wednesdays
This is a guy with a bass, with intent, on a mission with fingers that keep up. Mission is going to plan.
Fred from Anstey runs a good race with the epic bass riffs from 'Brown Paper Bag' and 'Bullet in the Head'. Using the wisdom of Paul McCartney and Chris Noveselic's bass lines he got good ideas about the potentials of the bass in a band's music.
Album recorded, On Sale Soon!
Fred's Testimonial
"Del is probably the only guitar teacher you would need to play a guitar professionally. he is great at both lead and bass, and is a really nice person, and has taught me a lot of stuff on the bass. And when I say a lot, I really do mean a lot! I highly recommend him for any student that wants to play guitar."
↑Top↑
Why Not More?
• Not many take their playing far enough, or can devote regular practice time in to be able to get to this level. To get to the stage where you are on a stage, you have got to really want it, really do it, and it is not easy.
This is why those who develop the skills and do make the stage get the respect and applause that they do.
• Not everybody starts playing guitar or bass with the intention of joining a band and running around making a racket in venues. A lot of people simply do it for a home hobby; to be able to pick up the instrument and play themselves or their partner a few of their favourite songs, even entertain house parties. All are welcome for tuition with Del.
• A lot of my students have been teenagers, who then go to College or University and I have lost touch with. There may be many more now in bands, and I would like to know what Ali Hill is up to with his Bass now. He was another who I shook hands with after a year, kind of gob-smacked, and said "Job done!"
• On my old site I had a few one-off recordings I made with students who had progressed well, but have ceased playing. Given the huge progress of the bands above, I did not think it fitting to keep these on. Sorry Emily, get back on the strings and into a band!
↑Top↑
