Instruments
Scroll down the page to see the tuition we offer.
Geoff provides tuition on guitar, mandolin, ukulele, recorders, and whistles, while Linda covers the 'cello. Lessons are provided at a standard and pace suitable for most abilities. The overiding objective is to have pleasure and fun from learning an instrument and making music together.
Guitar
The guitar continues to be a very popular instrument and is used in many musical genres. Geoff teaches a range of styles used in classical, folk, blues, rock, and pop. If you are a beginner, then we start with the basics of tune playing and rhythm accompanyment. This is best achieved with a nylon strung acoustic guitar and for children, a half size or 3/4 size is essential depending on the child's age. Many beginners like to then move onto the electric guitar once they have a good understanding of chords and melodies. Students with previous playing experience typically come to gain fresh ideas on their playing and to move them onto a higher level. Geoff is happy to use favourite songs and tunes to reinforce the learning. Examples of songs used include Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven (1971), Green Day's Wake Me Up When September Ends (2005), Passenger's Let Her Go (2012). Suitable from year 3 children to adults, beginner to intermediate.
Mandolin
Mandolin teachers are a bit of a rarity. Geoff teaches beginner musicians and those with experience of other instruments particularly guitar or violin. The mandolin is a tune instrument and a rhythm instrument; both aspects are covered. Geoff has a large library of folk and bluegrass/old time tunes to use as well as some classical music and pop songs from groups such as Led Zepplin, REM, and The Lumineers. Suitable from year 6 children to adults, beginner to intermediate.
Ukulele
If you play the guitar, you can easily learn ukulele. If you learn ukulele, you can move onto guitar and other instruments, or stick with this and join the very popular ukulele groups around the country. Many are happy to use the ukulele as a rhythm instrument as a backing for songs but you can also progress to playing tunes from tablature or notation. Suitable from year 2 children to adults, beginner to intermediate.
Recorders and Whistles
Maybe you have learned recorder at school or never picked up an instrument before; either way, the recorder is great for developing your basic musical skills. You may also be interested in the Penny Whistle which is very similar in fingering to the recorder and widely used in traditional folk dance tunes. Tuition suitable from year 2 children to adult, beginner to intermediate.
Cello
Linda offers tuition to all ages. Children would need to acquire a child sized instrument. Teaching for beginners is through learning by ear and reference to the 'cello "Tune a Day" book. Suitable for beginner to intermediate. Daytime only please.