ABOUT ME
My musical career began around the age of 17 when I was enlisted to play the guitar in a local band playing cover songs in pubs, at weddings and various other functions. I then studied the classical guitar at the London College of Music and gained the ALCM performance diploma and the LLCM Teacher’s Diploma.
Towards the end of my studies I was booked to play the guitar in a local production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This led to me being hired for national tours of Godspell and The Rocky Horror Show.
Following this I played in many provincial productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wizard of Oz and Blood Brothers.
In subsequent years I played with musicians encompassing a wide range of styles including blues, rock, jazz, country and classical music.
In recent years I have established a thriving guitar teaching practice both privately and in the education system. During this time I have work extensively as a peripatetic guitar teacher for Essex Music Services. In the course of this appointment I have worked in many of the county’s schools including Baddow High School, The Boswells School, Chelmer Valley High School and Hylands School.
I am currently principal guitar teacher at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Chelmer Valley High School and Moulsham Junior School.
I am a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors [RGT] and the Incorporated Society of Musicians [ISM] and I regularly attend their events as well as those of the International Guitar Foundation [IGF] as a means of continuing professional development.
GUITAR LESSONS
ELECTRIC GUITAR
I cater for many styles of electric guitar including classic rock, contemporary pop, blues, funk, indie and metal. Students can learn all aspects of lead guitar incorporating the use of scales, modes and arpeggios. Techniques such as string bending, left hand legato and right hand picking are also included. Studies include performance of classic rock songs and construction or improvisation for guitar solos. Students can gain accreditation in the form of grade exams offered by RGT, Trinity Rock & Pop and Rockschool.
ACOUSTIC GUITAR
For those who prefer the steel strung acoustic guitar there is the opportunity to study the many styles and techniques associated with this type of guitar. Beginners can learn basic chords and chord progressions together with strumming patterns in order to provide accompaniments to well known songs.
More advanced players can study solo finger style genres such as ragtime, blues or contemporary acoustic. Accreditation in this style of guitar playing is available through the RGT Acoustic Guitar grade exams.
CLASSICAL GUITAR
I teach classical guitar from beginners through to advanced stages. Beginners will learn the fundamentals of music reading with traditional notation and the essential techniques in order to progress smoothly towards the standard classical guitar repertoire.
Students can either learn for their personal satisfaction or can choose to enter for grade exams. I offer accreditation by way of Trinity Guildhall, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and London College of Music (LCM) exams. I can also cover any theory requirements necessary.
JAZZ GUITAR
I offer tuition in jazz guitar covering styles from gypsy jazz through to contemporary fusion taking in swing and be-bop on the way.
Students can study the repertoire of great jazz guitarists and other instrumentalists and in so doing improve their knowledge of chords, scales and arpeggios as well as gaining further skills at rhythm playing and improvisation.
'Ian demonstrates a very high level of knowledge of his instrument and his discipline and communicates effectively in his teaching' - Chelmsford County High School for Girls - Performance Management 2013
Chelmsford County High School for Girls
'Thank you very much for teaching me over the past 5 years. Thanks for getting me through my grades 3 and 5'
Former student - Chelmsford County High School for Girls
