Information About David - Middlesbrough teacher

Personal Description:

Lived in and around London/Surrey for over 25 years before moving to the north of England. Taught in schools in Surrey as a peripatetic music/guitar tutor prior to moving up north.

On leaving school I studied Spanish at university before switching my focus to music. Getting paid for performing in bands and duos helped further this change in direction. Teaching guitar and music I find to be an equally interesting and challenging interest/career.

Other interests include composition, arranging, as well as a few other non-musical activities, such as cooking,

Like a lot of guitar players, I was initially smitten largely by rock music. My interest now includes classical, jazz, and bluegrass.

Tutoring Experience:

Approx 35 years private teaching, 8 years as a peripatetic tutor. Age range of pupils I have taught : 6 to over 60 years.

Have also taught guitar (basic, folk, rock, jazz) at adult evening classes - beginner to advanced.

Tutoring Approach:

My approach to teaching is firstly to find out some basic information e.g. what the pupil wants to achieve in terms of playing the guitar, the type of music the pupil listens to and would like to learn to play.

The styles I cover vary considerably. A lesson may involve analysis of a Manuel Ponce piece, cross-picking (plectrum/pick), chord reduction (as in big band style), a solo guitar arrangement of a jazz or pop standard, rockabilly guitar lines in various keys, help with rhythm reading/playing, harmonic analysis, or simply going through the chords or lead of given song (e.g. Foo Fighters, Cole Porter… practically anything)

In the case of younger (i.e. non-adults) pupils I generally teach the reading of music, and in most cases enter them for (Trinity) grade exams. Pupils always achieve a good grade (never lower than a merit). The benefit of achieving basic musicianship skills is considerable, even if they decide later on that they want to take up rock guitar/rely more on aural abilities.

Above all else, giving positive feedback, encouragement, and making lessons as enjoyable as possible are for me an essential part of the teaching experience.