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I have successfully taught students of all ages. It is never too early or too late to learn, but for the younger students, attitude and focus is important. Some 5 year olds are passionate about music and able to concentrate for half-hour lessons plus spend time practicing each week. Please contact me and we can discuss your child's age and suitability for lessons.
If you are serious about wanting to learn a musical instrument, my extensive experience shows that individual lessons are the way to go. Group lessons, learning from Youtube, DVDs or books have their place, but are not effective in developing life-skills and the correct technique on a musical instrument.
I tailor my teaching programme and materials to the individual student. In doing this, I create the best environment for you to learn, develop and thrive as a true musician.
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Lessons are mostly ½ hour long once per week. Lessons are designed to be enjoyable (i.e. fun) but intensive in that they will fully use a student’s concentration span.
For a first lesson I can provide an instrument to see if the instrument and/or lesson suits you before commiting to a purchase.
In order to maximise the benefit of lessons and be able to practice at home, I highly recommend you invest in a guitar or drumkit.
Purchasing your own musical instrument represents a small investment over the lifetime of the instrument.
It is important to get good advice when choosing an instrument. For example, size is an important factor with a beginner instrument for a child and knowledgeable sales staff will help you select the right instrument for your child e.g. a 7 year old may be more suited to a ½ or ¾ size guitar as their first instrument.
I highly recommend Rockshop or Musicworks. They both have stores nationwide and carry an impressive range of instruments and brands with expert sales staff on hand to assist you with your purchase.
In general, for guitar I recommend starting on acoustic strings (nylon or steel strings). Once basic fundamentals are achieved, students could look to upgrade to a more professional acoustic or electric guitar.
Today, electric drums are very popular with students. They are more transportable and have the benefit of being able to be played at low volume or with headphones in noise-conscious residential suburbs.
I find most young students learn best without parents perched over their shoulder; however, parents and caregivers are welcome to sit-in on music lessons occasionally to check how their child is progressing and receive an update from me.
For new young students, sometimes it helps for mum or dad to sit in on the first couple of lessons to calm the nerves!
The key indicators for determining a student's ability and progress is their playing technique and the sound they are producing from their instrument. Are songs and exercises played in the way that they are meant to sound?
I encourage all my students to seize opportunities for performing in front of friends, family and live audiences. Many of my students have formed school bands or adult bands or joined the school orchestra, symphonic, rock or jazz band.
I have successfully taught lots of students of all ages. Many of my students have been learning with me for several years, so I must be doing something right!
I differ considerably from most other music schools in that I offer: