Our tutors.
We currently offer lessons on three instruments: Guitar, Bass and Flute. We hope to increase the choice of instruments available to learn for our pupils in the future and we are actively working towards this.
To meet your tutor and find out a little bit about them before your lesson select the instrument you are going to be learning or would like to learn from below.
We currently offer lessons on three instruments: Guitar, Bass and Flute. We hope to increase the choice of instruments available to learn for our pupils in the future and we are actively working towards this.
To meet your tutor and find out a little bit about them before your lesson select the instrument you are going to be learning or would like to learn from below.
Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Tutor: Stew
When did you start to play your main instrument?
I think it was back in the summer of 1989.
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
When I was about 5 I was given a recorder which my aunt tried to teach me, but I didn’t like it.
What was your first playing memory?
On guitar? That would be figuring out how to play the Rolling Stones ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’ riff. We played it through my mates, girlfriend (at the time) stereo pretty loudly, the speakers never did sound the same again.
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
My old faithful Ibanez RG550 which I’ve played for years, affectionately known as Ethel.
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
Not as often as I’d like. I’m currently planning on spending some time working on sweep picking.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
One! That’s tough. There are so many musicians I’d love to meet and have some time to talk to. I think I’d have to say it would be the Edge from U2. I love his creative use of effects and have liked a lot of their material
What was the first album you ever owned?
First Album! That was Roland Rat’s album, I can’t remember what it was called, but that’s embarrassing enough isn’t it?
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
My CD collection always gets a few smiles, at present I’d have to say it would be the Jonas Brothers. I bought it when a certain chain of shops were closing down as a young student had wanted to learn one of their tracks. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it, it’s the only one I’ve got.
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
It was a track called ‘Goon hilly’ by a band called Goon hilly Dawn. They were an old local band where I used to live that I knew. That track was the first time I’d heard a delay pedal in use. The guitarist used it to syncopate with the notes he was playing, it really blew my understanding of what you could do with a guitar.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
It has to be Metallica at the O2 in March 09.
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
That would have to be my stag do. Actually I had two of them as not everyone could make the first one. My second one saw me wearing fancy dress, with a dartboard surround around my neck tied up to some traffic lights at a busy crossroads. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a can of drink was opened and put upside down in my trouser pocket. Then my mates took my phone and called my parents to pick me up.
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
I was once flown out to Belfast to help play some shows for American artist Bill Drake. I got to do some session work South African producer Nick Coetzee, and have been privileged to be able to play guitar with singer songwriter Vicky Beeching. But the best thing so far has to be when I was able to start working full time as a musician. I get to play, write, teach guitar. I have also been able to set up my own project recording studio.
Tutor: Stew
When did you start to play your main instrument?
I think it was back in the summer of 1989.
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
When I was about 5 I was given a recorder which my aunt tried to teach me, but I didn’t like it.
What was your first playing memory?
On guitar? That would be figuring out how to play the Rolling Stones ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’ riff. We played it through my mates, girlfriend (at the time) stereo pretty loudly, the speakers never did sound the same again.
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
My old faithful Ibanez RG550 which I’ve played for years, affectionately known as Ethel.
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
Not as often as I’d like. I’m currently planning on spending some time working on sweep picking.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
One! That’s tough. There are so many musicians I’d love to meet and have some time to talk to. I think I’d have to say it would be the Edge from U2. I love his creative use of effects and have liked a lot of their material
What was the first album you ever owned?
First Album! That was Roland Rat’s album, I can’t remember what it was called, but that’s embarrassing enough isn’t it?
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
- Ozzy Ozbourne: Crazy Train.
- “Weird Al” Yankovic: EBay (parody of “I want it that way”).
- Newton Faulkner: Uncomfortably Slow.
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
My CD collection always gets a few smiles, at present I’d have to say it would be the Jonas Brothers. I bought it when a certain chain of shops were closing down as a young student had wanted to learn one of their tracks. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it, it’s the only one I’ve got.
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
It was a track called ‘Goon hilly’ by a band called Goon hilly Dawn. They were an old local band where I used to live that I knew. That track was the first time I’d heard a delay pedal in use. The guitarist used it to syncopate with the notes he was playing, it really blew my understanding of what you could do with a guitar.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
It has to be Metallica at the O2 in March 09.
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
That would have to be my stag do. Actually I had two of them as not everyone could make the first one. My second one saw me wearing fancy dress, with a dartboard surround around my neck tied up to some traffic lights at a busy crossroads. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a can of drink was opened and put upside down in my trouser pocket. Then my mates took my phone and called my parents to pick me up.
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
I was once flown out to Belfast to help play some shows for American artist Bill Drake. I got to do some session work South African producer Nick Coetzee, and have been privileged to be able to play guitar with singer songwriter Vicky Beeching. But the best thing so far has to be when I was able to start working full time as a musician. I get to play, write, teach guitar. I have also been able to set up my own project recording studio.
Bass Guitar
Tutor: Harry
When did you start to play your main instrument?
Hey you will guess my age then Ha…
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
Jackson Charvel 4 string bass with a pointed head
What was your first playing memory?
Playing on a stage in front of loads of people….SCARY!
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
All of them
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
About 3 hours a day, practise sight reading, chord and scale theory, different grooves, different songs, slap bass.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
James Jamerson, brilliant bassist and man can the guy groove. Why? Would learn a lot from him, and so many people have tried to imitate him, says it all…..
What was the first album you ever owned?
Mmmmm, would I be in trouble if I said Abba.
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
Not telling you that one...
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
Marvin Gaye... What’s going on...? Brilliant production, says a lot about the time and what actually was happening at that time, and amazing groove on the bass.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
Earth, wind and fire, they all dressed up as star wars characters and it was an amazing laser show also.
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
Aaarrgghh, well okay, I was playing on a concert and they were making a music demo, and well, I had too much curry the night before, and when they started filming and the camera came over to me, guess who threw up on the camera guy ….. Ok funny now but not then, ha.
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
All of it has been great fun, but I love meeting new guys to gig with, and watching the people enjoy the music and dancing to it, always gives me a buzz
Tutor: Harry
When did you start to play your main instrument?
Hey you will guess my age then Ha…
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
Jackson Charvel 4 string bass with a pointed head
What was your first playing memory?
Playing on a stage in front of loads of people….SCARY!
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
All of them
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
About 3 hours a day, practise sight reading, chord and scale theory, different grooves, different songs, slap bass.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
James Jamerson, brilliant bassist and man can the guy groove. Why? Would learn a lot from him, and so many people have tried to imitate him, says it all…..
What was the first album you ever owned?
Mmmmm, would I be in trouble if I said Abba.
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
- The meters: Cissy Strut.
- Bob Marley: Is this love?
- Marvin Gaye: What’s going on.
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
Not telling you that one...
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
Marvin Gaye... What’s going on...? Brilliant production, says a lot about the time and what actually was happening at that time, and amazing groove on the bass.
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
Earth, wind and fire, they all dressed up as star wars characters and it was an amazing laser show also.
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
Aaarrgghh, well okay, I was playing on a concert and they were making a music demo, and well, I had too much curry the night before, and when they started filming and the camera came over to me, guess who threw up on the camera guy ….. Ok funny now but not then, ha.
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
All of it has been great fun, but I love meeting new guys to gig with, and watching the people enjoy the music and dancing to it, always gives me a buzz
Flute
Tutor: Chris
When did you start to play your main instrument?
At the age of 11 (1986)
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
Kazoo when I was 6
What was your first playing memory?
At Primary school playing recorder
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
My PS3!!!
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
Whenever the kids let me.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
Rolf Harris, so I can hear him say ‘Can ya tell what it is yet?’
What was the first album you ever owned?
Poison (Flesh and Blood)
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
Erm......................Mamma Mia 'The Soundtrack'!!!
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
Poison – ‘Every Rose Has It’s Thorn’ because it kick-started my love of rock!!!
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
Metallica Death Magnetic Tour
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
I jumped over the sofa at a family get together and my brother held onto my pyjama bottoms, guess the rest!!!
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
Getting James Hetfield’s plectrum at a Metallica gig....LOL.
Tutor: Chris
When did you start to play your main instrument?
At the age of 11 (1986)
What was your first instrument and when did you get it?
Kazoo when I was 6
What was your first playing memory?
At Primary school playing recorder
The building's ablaze – What instrument do you save?
My PS3!!!
How often do you practice, and what's your favourite thing to practice?
Whenever the kids let me.
You get to have dinner with any musician, alive or dead – who would that be and why?
Rolf Harris, so I can hear him say ‘Can ya tell what it is yet?’
What was the first album you ever owned?
Poison (Flesh and Blood)
Please, grab your MP3 player (or such like). Select it to play at random and list the first 3 songs. (NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE!!!!! BE HONEST.)
- X Japan: Tears.
- Metallica: Enter Sandman.
- Scorpions: Wind of Change
What's the one CD in your collection that you wouldn't want anyone to know about?
Erm......................Mamma Mia 'The Soundtrack'!!!
Name a song that changed your life, and why?
Poison – ‘Every Rose Has It’s Thorn’ because it kick-started my love of rock!!!
What's the best concert you've ever been to?
Metallica Death Magnetic Tour
Confession is good for the soul – as they say. What is the most embarrassing moment you've ever had?
I jumped over the sofa at a family get together and my brother held onto my pyjama bottoms, guess the rest!!!
What have been the highlights of your musical career so far?
Getting James Hetfield’s plectrum at a Metallica gig....LOL.
