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Acoustic and Electric Guitar Tuition Location and Teaching Facilities I teach from my home in Lurgan. I have full facilities including Song Books, Guitar tabs, Teaching materials and resources, Guitar Amps, everything you will need to get started - just bring your guitar. I also (from September 2006) have been teaching in St. Francis Primary School, (Monday and Tuesday) St. Paul's School (Wednesdays) Lismore Comprehensive School and St.Michael's Grammar School - (Thursdays).
Lesson Times Besides my school teaching, I generally teach in the evenings Monday - Wednesday and also Saturday's. If you would prefer to take lessons during the day this may be possible Thursdays and Fridays only (this may be changing from September 2007 - please contact me for further information). I may be able to facilitate at other times (it may depend on quantity of students/demand/availability at time of contacting me). I try and cater for everyone and will endeavour to "fit you in" somewhere over the course of the week. Lessons usually last for 1 hour but it may be necessary to reduce this to 30 mins/45mins depending on the age of the student (12 yrs or younger). I find occasionally younger students cannot concentrate for a long period of time. Regrettably, I cannot facilitate teaching you in your home.
It is not necessary to be able to read music to study the Electric or Acoustic Guitar, but sight reading is a very useful tool and I encourage all of my students to learn. Transcribing music is becoming a lost "art" but I feel it important that you are able to listen to a track/song and learn how to work out what chords etc are making up the melody. I can incorporate this into your learning if you wish.
Styles and Levels I teach most styles and levels from beginner to intermediate and more advanced rhythm techniques. Most lessons are on a private one-to-one basis but if students prefer I may take up to three students at once.
Lesson Content Depending on your skills and ability I will tailor the lessons to suit you - it really depends on what you want to learn - whether it is a song you like and want to just learn how to play or to gain more advanced knowledge - the possibilities are endless - whatever your goals, I will be happy to accommodate.
Practice I believe in the all important - Practice, Patience and Perseverance. Between lessons, you will need to practice as much and as often as you can. It is much better to do six twenty-minute sessions than one two hour one. The more often you practice, the quicker your progress will be and the better a guitarist you will become.
Progress The speed of your progress as a guitarist does depend on how hard you work and how much you practice. I cannot guarantee immediate results as everyone learns at a different pace, however, I can however offer you expert tuition and guide you through every stage of your guitar playing. With your motivation and application, and my support, tips and advice, I can turn you into a guitarist. Some of the tips on this site (Tips and Advice Page) may help you if you want to practice in between lessons.
Acoustic Guitar Tuition You may be interested in only learning Acoustic Guitar or even taking Acoustic Guitar Grades (these are similar to the RGT Electric Guitar Exams - please see the Guitar Exam Page page for more info) though specifically designed for acoustic guitar. The syllabus was released in December 2007 and covers everything from Fingerstyle, playing melodies, scales, and also some spoken and aural tests to make sure you have everything covered! These exams are becoming increasingly popular with my students with a few taking exams this year. Most people prefer to learn Acoustic first and then possibly move to Electric Guitar at a later stage, it really is a matter of preference - though I woudl recommend this route. I, generally, when teaching Acoustic, start with simple basic chords and work on basic rhythm techniques, progressing to more difficult playing as your confidence and ability increases. Whether there is a particular song you have always wanted to play or if you are more serious about learning in the long term, I am flexible and will be able to accommodate your needs. Styles covered: Pop, Rock, Jazz (basic), Reggae, Finger-style
Electric Guitar Tuition If your preference is for Electric Guitar, then I will start with the same process as Acoustic and gradually build up your playing ability. If you would also like to start playing Lead Guitar I will walk you through the basic principles i.e. playing scales, (blues/penatonic/penatonic minor etc..) lead runs, string bending, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and other techniques. Before playing Lead Guitar, I would advise that you gain a good, general understanding of chords and the guitar itself - I would generally advise students to be patient and cover the basics of rhythm etc... first before progressing onto Lead Playing. Again, if you are interested in taking the RGT exams they will provide you with a good solid foundation for building up your skills and knowledge and help you progress quickly onto more challenging songs and melodies. If you would like (in the long term) to take things a step further, I can enroll you for either Electric or Acoustic Guitar Exams and prepare you for these (please see Guitar Exam Page). Styles covered: Reggae, Pop, Rock, Jazz (basic) Metal, Indie, Fingerstyle.
Currently studying for either Eletric or Acoustic Guitar exams: N. Harvey - Acoustic Guitar - Grade 1 L. Darby - Electric Guitar - Grade 1 S. Flavelle - Electric Guitar - Grade 1 H. Madden - electric Guitar - Grade 1 D. Mincher - Electric Guitar - Grade 1
Recent RGT Exams and Results: J. Poole - Electric Guitar Grade 1 - Pass P. McKee - Electric Guitar Grade 1 - Pass It's a great feeling when all the hard work has been worth it!! As well as "having something to hang on the wall" a certificate is a good reminder that you've worked hard and that its possible to progress even further - a bit of "inspiration" to continue. I currently have 3 students entered for exmas in both Acoustic and Electric Guitar,
Terms and Conditions for Guitar Lessons These “terms and conditions” are to clarify issues such as payment, cancellation of lessons, lesson duration, lesson content etc.. Please read the terms and conditions and sign and date the form below. By signing this form I will take it you accept the terms and conditions of your guitar tuition. If you have any queries please do no hesitate to let me know and we can discuss any issues you may have.
Payment for Lessons: • Lessons at present are paid in advance every 4 weeks - unless you are coming for lessons every other week - we can discuss the details at the start of your tuition. • Lessons will be arranged at a mutually agreeable time. • Prices for lessons - please contact me for information on lesson prices.
Lesson Duration: • Lessons are usually weekly unless there is a special request from a student to come fortnightly. This may be possible depending on demand at that particular time (please let me know if you would like to come fortnightly and we can discuss the details). • Lessons usually last for 1 hour - (one-to-one) – though if you prefer we can shorten you're lessons to 45 minutes or 30 minutes – please let me know if you want to avail of this option and we can organize a suitable time or discuss the details Prices of course will reflect the shorter lesson duration - please get in touch for more information on this.
Cancellation Of Lessons: • I require all students to give at least 24 hours notice of cancellation of lessons where possible either by telephone of if I'm not available, leaving a message – cancellation of any lesson at short notice (of less than 24 hours) will result in the student losing their prepaid fee for that lesson. Generally there can only be one cacellation in any 4 week session and 1 cancellation in any 8 week session (only for those who come fortnightly). If there any more cancellations than this I will have to charge for that lesson. • If for any reason I have to cancel a lesson, if possible, I will give plenty of notice (at least 24 hours) The cancelled lesson (if already prepaid) may be “made up” at a later date/time mutually agreed. (I will do my best to keep ancellations to a minimum so as to not affect any students progress and learning). • At holiday times I would appreciate as much notice as possible of planned holidays etc.. as I may be able to fill slots temporarily depending on demand.
Holding Lessons Slots Open: Generally, I do not hold lesson slots open if even you want to leave on a temporaray basis - obviously this is a loss on my part so I will be filling any "empty" lessons slots unless we come to a private arrangement. If after starting lessons you feel you have to stop for a short period (for whatever reason)- please give me plenty of notice and we will discuss if this will be possible. I may have to "fill" the slot temporarily and will not be able to guarantee that you will get that same day or time slot when/if you return to lessons.
If you decide to give up lessons: I would appreciate if you are deciding on leaving lessons that I be given 3 weeks notice as I can then check to see if anyone else would like to start lessons. I do have a waiting list and it is only fair that any potential students be contacted well in advance.
Content Of Lessons: • At your first lesson I will try to find out exactly what you want from your learning i.e, musical tastes, style of guitar playing etc.. • Lessons will be “tailored” to suit each students musical likes etc.. where possible, though I will also be offering advice and songs/musical ideas which I feel will progress the student further – all songs/topics covered will be mutually agreed. • All written sheet music, tabs etc.. are included in the fee for each lesson.
Equipment Needed: It may seem obvious - but it is advisable that you purchase a guitar soon after taking lessons - reasons for this are: • It is the same guitar you will be using in your own practice at home and during lessons • It makes sense to have your own guitar as the "feel" of another guitar will be different - i.e, if you have access to a nylon string guitar at home this will feel very different from using a steel string guitar during your lessons • The "action" (string height from the fretboard) is different on each guitar - this is very important when learning as you may be progressing better in lessons (using one of my own guitars) than at home i.e, if the action is higher on your own guitar. I can offer you tips on purchasing the right guitar for you - feel free to contact me with any queries you may have. • Each student should have a folder to keep all written tabs, music etc.. • I would advise all students to buy a guitar tuner to help with their practice at home. • I have full resources i.e, amps, guitar effects etc… to cover both acoustic and electric guitar; for electric guitarists, please just bring a lead with you. If there is anything you need clarified regarding these terms and conditions please do not hesitate to discuss any issues with me.
JLG Guitar Tuition (also on Yell.com or look in Yellow Pages) This site and all songs/audio copyright James Ledley and JLG Guitar Tuition 2007 |
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