Guitar Lessons

Commonly Asked Questions

At what age can students begin lessons?

Students can start learning guitar from around five years old. The Suzuki Method for guitar teachers is particularly effective with the young students, who learn guitar initially by listening, watching and copying, with clear, single step instructions, and plenty of encouragement. Attention is paid to correct posture, technique, and musicality. Students can range from pre-schoolers to adult.

What levels are taught?

Beginners to professional performance standard students.

What will students learn?

Through a carefully developed process, students develop guitar playing skill, musicality, performance and presentation ability, note reading, theory knowledge (chord and scale construction), a repertoire of pieces to play, improvisation skills, and appreciation of a wide range of musical styles. Preparation for AMEB and VCE exams is available. Several of my students have gone to become professional players and guitar teachers.

Styles

Classical, folk, jazz, blues and general contemporary styles are covered - beginners start on classical, with many supplementary 'cool' tunes drawn from TV ads and shows, current and old hits, and the world of jazz and blues.

Chord strumming and improvising are taught early in the guitar learning process - and students are encouraged to develop their own compositions.

As the guitar studies progress, students will focus on a range of favourite styles - classical, jazz, acoustic steel, hard rock, pop or folk.

In more detail

Young beginners - Role modelling, encouragement, correct sized guitar, early success - these are among the necessary things a guitar teacher provides for a positive and motivating experience for little ones.

Upper primary and early teenage years - These students' guitar lessons also take into account their growing awareness of the musical culture around them - TV and radio, downloaded music and iPods - we often transcribe and learn parts of current songs for which there is no published sheet music. It is an exciting time for student and teacher when a student prepares to join the stage band at school, or forms their own real rock band with friends and uses the techniques gained from the lessons.

Older teenagers and adults - These students are always highly self motivated, with time limitations sometimes being the only thing to slow their (often spectacular) progress in learning the guitar. The style of teaching for this group will be highly individual, which is one reason I find this group both challenging and rewarding for me as a guitar teacher.

Jazz - I have developed an approach that enables students of jazz to progress with a clear path to understanding and using jazz scales, modes and advanced chords, as well as developing reading skills.

Classical - As a guitar teacher looking after a student of classical guitar I focus on detail from beginner stages to concert performance level - correct posture, fingering, musicality, sight reading, tone, phrasing, stylistic accuracy, and repertoire development. AMEB grade exams to diploma level are prepared.

Where and when are lessons held?

Guitar lessons are held in my private studio in Ashburton - within easy reach of Camberwell, Malvern, Hawthorn, Glen Iris, Waverley, Burwood, and Caulfield. Trains and buses are within 10 - 15 minutes walk, and there is ample parking on the quiet street outside.

Guitar lessons are held Monday to Saturday, daytimes, afternoons and evenings.

What do I do now?

Phone me on 9885 9061 (you may need to leave a message) and I can discuss things further, and perhaps arrange a time for me to meet with you at my studio and provide a free initial lesson for you or your child. After that you can consider making a commitment.