Learn music you enjoy while building technique, timing, listening and understanding. I teach children, teenagers and adults, from complete beginners to experienced players, with lessons shaped around your experience and goals.
What we can work on together
We choose activities that support your playing. A lesson might include:
- Technique: finding a comfortable hand position, producing clear notes and making smoother chord changes.
- Rhythm: counting a steady beat and exploring strumming or picking patterns.
- Songs and riffs: breaking music you enjoy into manageable sections, then putting them together.
- Musical understanding: connecting chord shapes, note names and scales with the music you play.
These are options rather than a fixed checklist. Your experience and goals help us decide where to focus.
Your first lesson
We begin with a friendly conversation about the music you like, your experience and what you would like to achieve. If you already play, bring a piece or technique you are working on. If you are completely new, we can start with how to hold the guitar and produce a clear note.
Starting from the beginning
Early work can include tuning, a comfortable hand position, simple chord shapes and counting a steady beat. We can practise a short chord change or melody slowly, then use it in a song so the exercise has a musical purpose.
Acoustic and electric guitar
The fundamentals of rhythm, fretting and listening matter on both instruments. Acoustic players might focus on a steady strumming pattern or picking individual strings; electric players might explore a riff, clean string changes or controlling unwanted noise. Your choice of music helps us decide where to focus.
Returning to the guitar
If you have had a break, we can find out what feels familiar and where a little rebuilding would help. Start with a song you know, slow down the difficult change and build consistency before increasing the speed. You do not need to relearn everything at once.
Developing your playing
More experienced players can bring specific goals: smoother chord changes, a more even rhythm, phrasing in a solo or understanding how a piece fits together. We can break a difficult passage into smaller tasks and listen for the change each exercise makes.
Theory you can hear and use
Music theory can explain sounds you already recognise. We can find notes on the fretboard, build chords, explore scales and connect them with a song’s melody and harmony. Counting, listening and playing make the ideas practical. Chord diagrams, tablature or notation can be introduced where useful; you do not need to read music before starting.
Lessons for children
I teach children and adults. For primary-school children, a 20-minute lesson at £12 offers a shorter introduction; 30-minute and hour-long lessons are also available. Older students normally choose 30 or 60 minutes, with exceptions discussed individually. Please ask about a child’s readiness and arrangements for a parent to stay.
Exams or learning for enjoyment
Graded examinations can provide a goal if they suit you, but they are optional. Tell Dave your instrument, current level and the syllabus you have in mind so you can discuss suitable preparation and exam arrangements before booking. Learning songs for enjoyment is equally welcome; no particular result is promised.
Between lessons
Take away a small number of clear tasks. Try a short passage at a pace where you can keep it controlled, notice which movement is difficult and bring that question to the next session. Access to a guitar at home makes regular practice possible.
Preparing for your visit
Tell me which guitar you have and whether you have any questions about equipment. Confirm the time and full studio address before travelling. See the lesson prices and location information, or ask me about getting started.
Electric and acoustic guitar
Acoustic and electric guitar lessons are available for complete beginners through to advanced players. Choose the instrument that suits the music you enjoy; you do not need to learn acoustic guitar first. We can tailor the balance of songs, technique and theory to your goals. Left-handed learners are welcome.
On acoustic guitar, we can develop chord changes, strumming and fingerpicking, listening for clear notes and an even sound. On electric guitar, we can work on riffs, lead playing, string muting and picking techniques, then explore how amplifier settings and effects influence your tone.
For an experienced player, a useful goal might be phrasing a solo, improvising over a chord progression or preparing a part to play with a band. Bring an example of your playing and we can identify the next step. Compare half-hour and hour-long guitar lessons.
Drum lessons
Start with rhythm, coordination, timing and grooves, then develop fills, dynamics, independence and playing with a click. We put the skills into songs and explore the drummer’s role in a band. The studio has a kit ready to use; you do not need to bring one.
Bass guitar lessons
Develop timing, technique, fretboard knowledge, scales and bass lines while exploring how bass connects rhythm and harmony. We can use music you enjoy to hear how your part works alongside drums, guitars and vocals.
Ukulele lessons
Learn chords, strumming, melodies, timing and songs. Ukulele can be a useful introduction for younger children, and lessons are also available to teenagers and adults. We choose material and an approach that suit the learner.
Equipment for your first lesson
You do not necessarily need your own instrument before starting. Ask about using studio equipment for your first lessons, then discuss a suitable instrument or practice setup for home. If you have a guitar, bring it where possible.
Adults and returning players
You do not need to read music or have previous experience. If you have played before, we can keep what works, identify gaps and focus on what you want to improve. Practice should be manageable around your other commitments.
Playing together
The Guitar Workshop is an optional adult group for existing private students. Ask about the current group, session arrangements and suitability. Explore the studio or compare all three lesson lengths.
To discuss a first lesson, email info@
