Don't forget to visit the Audio Page for some examples of Acoustic Guitar.

If you are new to the guitar you will be carefully guided through the basics at a pace you can cope with. As you progress you will learn about posture, melodies, rhythms, chords, strumming and various guitar essentials. You will learn lots of enjoyable music as you go.

Acoustic guitar sounds great using a plectrum or using fingerpicking techniques so you will be given plenty of opportunity to explore both areas of playing.

As your technique and understanding progress you might want to try out some of the more challenging aspects of Acoustic Guitar such as:-

• Improvisation / Soloing
• Solo Fingerstyle / Self Accompanied Music
• Scales and Arpeggios
• Runs and Licks
• Double Stops
• Finger Tapping
• Slurs
• Harmonics
• Fingerboard Comprehension
• Memorisation and Practice Skills

Someone once said...

“You should be a musician first and a guitarist second”

Someone else said...

“You are playing all of the notes but none of the music!”

As a guitarist it is very easy (and, I should say, important) to be absorbed in technique, hand positions etc. Technique, however, is only a means to an end. The main thing is the expression of the music and what you want to communicate through it.

At JCM Guitar Tuition you will develop your knowledge of musical expression in an understandable and interesting way. You will be shown how to get the best out of your guitar using musical tools such as vibrato, slides, bends, dynamics and tone colour.

Make your neighbour rap your door and ask you to turn the music up!

At JCM Guitar Tuition you will taught how to read Guitar Tablature (TAB), scale and chord diagrams.

You will also be given the opportunity to learn standard musical notation. This opens up a vast ocean of material to you, giving you access to not only guitar music but music written for other instruments such as keyboard, flute, fiddle etc.

Some people are intimidated by the idea of music notation and make the assumption that it is too tricky and not for them. All I would say is you’ll not know until you try. Also, at JCM Guitar Tuition I’ll not make you play what you don’t understand - everything will be done in logical, manageable steps. You will be surprised at what you can do!

Do you understand what you are playing?

Your acoustic guitar playing and creativity can be greatly enhanced by even a small amount of musical theory. Far from being dry and academic a little music theory will transform your playing from a group of complex finger patterns to something that makes sense. Understanding something in guitar can aid your memorisation and enhance your composition / song writing skills for guitar.

At JCM Guitar Tuition you will be shown music theory essentials. Many students find that they like to pursue this subject in more detail.

You have invested time in learning a new song or piece of music on your acoustic guitar so why not keep a record of it?

As part of your tuition programme you will get the chance to record your playing and have it put on a CD or on your mp3 player. You can then keep it for ever.

More advanced students might want to experiment with multi-tracking creating harmonies and rhythms.

But this is not just a novelty. Listening to your recorded guitar playing without having to concentrate on timing, fingers etc. can help you to know what you actually sound like. This is very helpful and can help you hear where improvements to your playing can be made.

If you would like to find out more about lessons feel free to give me a call on 02897533026, or mail me by clicking on the letterbox