Drop me a line in the contact form to enquire about guitar tuition, whether it be a few bespoke lessons to cover specific areas or to explore western music theory and apply this to the guitar. Beginners are welcome as well more advanced players looking for possibilities in a new or different approach.
Tuition and advice available one to one in your home or visit me as well as online.
Online Guitar Course Outline Next session starts Tuesday 31st Oct @ 7:30pm GMT
All sessions online via Zoom.
Session length ranges from one and a half hours to two hours. Additional short sessions included if individuals need help studying over the week. Contact tutor to arrange additional help via Zoom call.
This 8 week course is designed for guitarists with several years playing experience, they are confident chord players with ability to play solo lines, familiar with some scales in a range of styles. Focus will be on jazz standards, comping and soloing over changes.
Are you a guitarist that is looking for a new challenge?
Have fluency across the entire fingerboard in any key?
Pre-course 1-4 Western music theory, Major Scale formation.
Week 1 –
Connecting the fingerboard, 5 chord voicings, Maj, minor, 7th. Note finding
CAGED system all 5 positions.
Week 2 –
Harmonising the Major Scale, open chord position diatonic chords, intervals. Check list.
Week 3 –
C Major diatonic chords open position, shell voicings. Scales in open position. Scale exercises. Dropped voicings.
Week 4 –
Secondary Dominant chords, Olive Tree analysis. Other common chords in C major. Turnarounds. Slash chords. Check sheet.
Week 5 –
Focus on playing chords, scales, arps, pivots to end of course.
A Form diatonic chords, scales, III position, Olive Tree III position.
Week 6 –
G form diatonic chords, scales, V position, Olive Tree V position.
Week 7 –
E form diatonic chords, scales, V position, Olive Tree VII position.
Week 8 –
D form diatonic chords, scales, V position, Olive Tree X position.
Cycle of 4ths approach.
Additional.
Follow up day, get together to play as a group, discuss and explore ideas, share good practice and ideas across several songs. To be mutually arranged with the group.
For further information email via the contact page.
What former and current students say.
“I’ve learnt more about playing guitar in the last month than I have in the last 5 years” (K MacDonald)
“I’m already seeing big changes in my playing and I’ve been playing for over 20 years!” (R Macleod)
“Tom is a musician and a teacher. He is proficient at playing many stringed instruments. He has a good sense of humour, is very patient and has been teaching me (an OAP) the ukulele for about 18 months. His communication skills are very good and he tailors the lessons to what I want / need to learn but still manages to push me to achieve more.
I have now reached a standard where I am capable of performing with a Swing/Jazz group. I am pleased to say I am quite confident at reading chord charts and I enjoy the theory side of my lessons.” (C Hills)
“Having watched Tom at a gig one night I approached him regarding taking jazz lessons. As a bass player I have learned more in the last six months than in the previous thirty years of playing. Toms is able to share his knowledge in a way that is understandable and easy to follow. I wish i had started this way 30 years ago. I recommend Tom to any guitar or bass player from beginning to advanced wishing to improve their skills in their playing. I am proof that your never too old, too bad or too good to learn a bit more.” (S Brown)
“When I first started with Tom I only knew a few open chords. He has guided me step by step with his expert advice, always making everything easy to understand and always having a solution to areas I find difficult or challenging. Due to Tom, I’m now in a band and able to gig, which I could never have imagined just 3 short years ago. (C Naysmith)
As a guitarist I have worked with many artists for over 40 years including Starmaker Production – for a diverse range of musicals, Support for jazz legend Martin Taylor, Peter James Orchestra, Anthony England Big Band, Bonny Langford, Jerry Donahue, Llimal, Steven Triffit (Frank Sinatra) Matt Holland (Van Morrison) Matt Condon (Katie Melua) King Cats, Rhythm Bro, Fat Chance, Richard O’Brien, BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Solent, Performances at The Royal Albert Hall, Cafe Royal, 100 Club, Reading Jazz festival, Twyford Festival, Seven consecutive years at the Wallingford Blues festival and Bunkfest, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Leith Jazz n Blues Festival. Televised BBC Film Critics Awards, composition for Edinburgh Green Belt Trust and Hands on MIDI. David and Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jane-Buckley (Eva Cassidy tour). Walk Like a Man tour.
Throughout my teaching career (CFET Oxford Brookes) I have planned, coordinated and delivered high-quality teaching in guitar, music performance, western music theory, music technology and creative media. Subjects covered a range of levels using flexible delivery methods for level 3 A levels including BTEC Nationals, Level 1 and 2 City and Guilds and Level 1 and 2 NCFE.
Backstage jammin’ with legend Tommy Emmanuel.
“Proper guitar player!” ( Bruce Welch – Shadows)
“Beautiful playing” (Tommy Emmanuel)
“Can really play that guitar!” (Jerry Donahue)
