Information About Alex - Bristol teacher

Personal Description:

I am a professional musician with 10 years experience working in a variety of contexts; touring with theatre productions and bands, composing, teaching & recording.

I started learning music at the age of 10 after picking up a guitar. I learnt mostly by ear and by playing along to my favourite recordings at first but I soon moved on to reading music and developing my understanding of theory. I started playing the piano and took grades in this reaching grade 8 at 17, whilst also keeping my guitar playing at an equal level. I also began playing the double bass as my love for jazz developed and this soon became my focus instrument.
The variety in my own methods of learning; reading tabs and playing songs to reading music and going through the grading system has given me a versatile ability as a teacher to accommodate the many different ways people approach learning an instrument.

After Studying Music at university I began working as a musician for theatre productions, this included touring the UK extensively with productions such as; The National Theatre's "Jane Eyre" and Wise Children's "Wise Children", performing on the west end on the production of "Hetty Feather" & performing at Shakespeare's globe with "The Little Matchgirl". Alongside this I have also toured with bands such as; The Leisure Society, Willy Mason, Rachael Dadd & Maja Lena and recorded albums with Rachael Dadd & Maja Lena.

Tutoring Experience:

I have taught students privately for 5 years now and my students have been a variety of ages. I am totally comfortable working with students of any age or ability. I am equally at home teaching students who want to learn more by the book and go down graded paths as i am helping students learn their favourite songs and riffs in more casual settings.

I do not expect my students to take grade exams, but I have plenty of experience submitting students for ABRSM, Rockschool and LCM graded exams. I also teach theory for ABRSM theory exams if you need support with this.

Tutoring Approach:

I shape my lessons around the individual student and their goals with their instrument, whether that involves picking apart songs and learning riffs and licks or learning pieces and progressing through the grades. I like to use the students own musical interests as a springboard for learning techniques as well as suggesting new directions and unexpected challenges. I always ensure that in any context we are always building on the core techniques that enable us to become well rounded musicians.

Lessons will be fun and engaging and I will always make sure we are working towards goals and progressing your ability.