Information About Chris - Bedford teacher -

(2 reviews)

Personal Description:

Having spent over forty years teaching music in schools and music conservatoires throughout the world, I am now semi-retired and living in Kempston near Bedford. My career as a performing musician started in 1975 when, after leaving music college, I joined the RAF becoming solo clarinet of the Central Band in 1979 and Lead Alto Sax in their world famous Dance Band 'The Squadronaires'. On leaving the RAF I continued to perform in West End Musicals and with many leading Orchestras throughout Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East. As a music teacher I have taught in specialist music schools, Colleges and Universities throughout the world as well as mainstream educational establishments in the UK and often combined this with work as a professional freelance musician. I am now retired from teaching and offer a small amount of private instrumental tuition on clarinet, saxophone & flute. Please note that the prices shown for beginner level tuition (£20) are for thirty-minute lessons and not sixty-minutes. I charge slightly more pro-rata for thirty minutes due to time tabling issues and, as a Fellow of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, set my tuition fees in accordance with their recommendations. As nobody can expect to learn anything worthwhile in just one or two lessons, I organise tuition into blocks of ten lessons called a series which are spread across a term. After an initial consultation lesson, students enrol and pay for a series of lessons in advance. There is a 10% discount for the initial sixty-minute consultation and introductory series.

Tutoring Experience:

Forty-five Years International experience as a music teacher and professional musician. I also hold DfEE recognised Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In addition, I have been teaching online for many years (long before COVID) and therefore understand the issues of delivering quality instrumental tuition on various platforms through this medium. I teach all ages and levels of ability from beginners to advance and have DBS clearance. All styles, Classical, Jazz and Popular are catered for. Since 1975 I have managed to maintain a 100% pass rate in examinations at 'all' levels with over 98% of the students entered gaining passes with merit or distinction. (proof on record).

Tutoring Approach:

My approach to music tuition is generally informal and fun but largely depends on your reasons and motivation for seeking out a music teacher in the first place. My approach with a student wishing to gain entry to a music college and to forge a career as a performing musician would be completely different to my approach with someone who simply wishes to play for fun. While I encourage everyone to take music examinations, this is not compulsory. As an experienced and qualified teacher (QTS) I recognise that people have different learning styles and can adapt my teaching style/approach accordingly. I would also add to this that it doesn't necessarily follow that just because a person can play a musical instrument that they can also teach it effectively.