Now winter and the long nights are well and truly here, there has never been a better time to start learning the guitar. Once you have bought your guitar, it costs very little to practice – or nothing if you go for an acoustic!!
Increase your knowledge with some one to one personalised lessons which also make a great Christmas present.
I think most of us have now come to the realisation that COVID is not going away anytime soon, and that we are all need to learn to live with it. It is important to not stop doing the things we want to do, whilst doing what we can to stay safe.
I am fully vaccinated and have had the booster jab. I am happy to do lessons wearing a mask if requested. I am also happy to teach if you have not been vaccinated, but would ask that you inform me of this so that we can both wear facemasks.
Don’t let COVID stop you learning a new skill – book guitar lessons today!
Now that we are getting back to some kind of normality after a difficult 18 months, learning the guitar is a great way to relax and have some time to yourself in the midst of a busy life – all beneficial to your mental health. Not only that, but it is a great confidence builder, especially for children.
I am double jabbed, practice social distancing and happy to wear a mask during lessons if required.
Hi everyone – I hope you have all been keeping safe and well during this difficult period.
For those of you with a guitar gathering dust in the corner, especially if you are still having to work from home, why not turn a negative into a positive and start to have some lessons.
I have now restarted subject to social distancing guidelines. My 30 minute lessons are flexible and an ideal break and change in the day. Weather permitting I am happy to teach in the garden.
Please feel free to email or telephone me for more information.
While there are many on-line tools, such as YouTube, that offer advice and tips on how to play songs on the guitar, there is no substitute for a one to one lesson.
Learning the guitar is a very personal thing as everybody is different and learns at a different pace. Whilst a lot of on-line lessons can tell you the ‘right thing to do’, it is often what not to do and where you are going wrong that a teacher can help you with.
I tailor all my lessons to individual needs and the songs that you want to learn to play. Please see my website for further details or feel free to call me.
There is no substitute for one on one guitar lessons and I offer a practical modern approach which is fun and a great way for children to gain other skills. It helps develop their coordination, concentration and overall confidence. I use the Rockschool syllabus which have great versions of modern songs and children get a real sense of pride and achievement when they pass the exams. The first book is the Debut one and I have never not had a student pass it first time and they get a really cool certificate!
The Fender Stratocaster was designed in 1954 by Leo Fender, Bill Carson, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation has continuously manufactured the Stratocaster from 1954 to the present day. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top “horn” shape for balance.
The Stratocaster features three single coil pickups, with the output originally selected by a 3-way switch. Guitarists soon discovered that by jamming the switch in between the first and second position, both the bridge and middle pickups could be selected, and similarly, the middle and neck pickups could be selected between the 2nd and 3rd position.
Custom Shop models can cost many thousands of pounds, but a Standard American Stratocaster today can cost around £1,200, but there are many more affordable options. The first one being the Stratocasters made in Mexico that start from around £400, and the much more affordable Squire range starting at around £100.
Notable players include, for classic rock n roll, Buddy Holly, blues, Jimi Hendrix, prog rock, David Gilmour and the guitarist that influenced me to pick up and learn a guitar, The Edge from U2.
The ES-335 was the world’s first commercial thinline archtop semi-acoustic electric guitar (also known as “semi-hollowbody” or “thinline”). Originally released by Gibson in 1958, it is neither fully hollow nor fully solid. Instead, a solid maple wood block runs through the centre of its body. The side “wings” formed by the two “cutaways” into its upper bouts are hollow, and the top has two violin-style f-holes over the hollow chambers.
Recommended listening:
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get hold of one or to enjoy playing one of these fantastic guitars. Whilst a Gibson 335 will cost you around £2,500 you can pick up a Washburn HB30 for around £280, which I actually use.
If you are thinking about which guitar is best for you, the two major brands are Fender and Gibson. Most other cheaper alternatives are usually based on one of these brands.
There are lots of differences between the models but the main difference from a playability standpoint is that Fender necks are a bit longer and therefore tend to suit slightly bigger hands. If like me, you have quite small hands, the slightly smaller Gibson necks are usually more comfortable to play. If possible, try to play a guitar before you buy it as every person is different and a guitar is a very personal choice.
For younger children 3/4 size guitars are available but a good age to start thinking about a full size guitar is around 10 or 11.
Studies have shown that children who study music and learn how to play a musical instrument develop an appreciation for music and culture but also gain many other benefits.
Playing an instrument improves brain function by enhancing coordination, concentration and memory. It also improves communication skills and social interaction and overall confidence.
Children learning music perform better academically in school and gain higher grades and test scores.
These are just a handful of reasons why encouraging your child to learn the guitar can be beneficial.
Paul's Mobile Guitar Lessons 