Subjects

Interview

Which subject(s) do you teach?
I teach guitar, piano, singing and songwriting. My lessons are built around students' own musical interests. So, this could be an introduction to the guitar via Heavy Metal, or learning the principles of finger-picking through the work of the Beach Boys; it could be learning how to sing with a focus on Celtic folk songs, or it could simply be developing your own back catalogue, and would spend time writing and recording your own songs.

Tell me about your qualifications.
I was classical trained in the piano and have Grades 1-7 (Guildhall), and grades 1-5 in Musical Theory (Guildhall). I have Music GCSE (A grade) and I studied voice and song at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. I am self-taught on the guitar.

What kind of experience do you have?
I have 10 years of experience in teaching music to adults and children. Also, have been a professional musician for the last 8 years, gaining wide experience in gigging, writing and recording. In this time, bands that I have played with have toured the UK and Europe and played festivals such as Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Bestival and Lounge on the Farm. In the last year, songs that I have written were played on BBC Radio1, BBC 6Music, XFM, and on the jukebox of the Old Vic in Eastenders (!) I have also recorded and performed with a wide range of musicians from Pete Doherty to Mick Jones.

How much do you charge?
I charge £20 an hour for all lessons.

Where do you teach?
I teach students in their homes, and most of my lessons are in East London: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Dalston, Highbury, and West London where my band rehearse: Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, Shepard's Bush...I can and do teach anywhere within zones 1 and 2 though, with no change in my fee. I charge £5 extra if I have to travel further than this.

When are you available?
I am flexible. Most of my lessons are arranged for evenings (6pm-10pm), and some daytimes during the week. If weekends are better for you, we can work something out.

Which ages and levels do you teach?
All ages and levels are welcome. Generally, most of my pupils are beginning to learn their instrument when they come to me, and the emphasis is on learning at their own pace. Specifically, it is the pupils who want to learn the guitar, voice or piano with an eye to forming a band, that I feel I can be a particular help to.

Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
My teaching is not geared towards getting qualifications, but throughout each course of lessons I set out clear goals for each student that we constantly refer to and work towards.

Do you have an up-to-date CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure certificate?
No

Do you belong to any professional organisations?
The Performing Rights Society, Fleur de lys Management, Because Publishing

Where and with whom did you train?
I trained with Margaret Toon in Birmingham and Peter Reilly in Dublin

Tell me about some of your current students.
At the moment, I am teaching a 10 year old Heavy Metal addict each of AC/DCs riffs, I am teaching the principles of Bosa Nova to a Lebanese property developer, and helping 17 yr old put together his first set of demo recordings to send to record companies.

Do you have a personal message for students?
So much of learning music and songwriting is down to you, what I try and do is bring out what most excites you about the process of learning music, so that it is as fun and as natural as possible.

Articles

KT Tunstall on Jools Holland
Subject: Rock/Pop Guitar
Tags: kt tunstall jools holland, pop composition
Created: 18/01/2012

Starting Out
Subject: Rock/Pop Guitar
Tags: beginners guitar, rock guitar teacher
Created: 27/01/2012