Q: What is your philosophy about music education?
A: For me, music is about sharing it with others.  It is like a sports person learning their sport (eg. netball, football, basketball etc) and then playing that sport with friends or a team once a week.  You do the training and that gives you the skills to be part of a group and play together for enjoyment.  I run group sessions for the purpose of getting students together.

Q: What age person can play and learn music?
A: Any age - but.....  For me, I like to teach children from about 8 years old, sometimes a little younger, but will depend on their motor skills, size (instrument dependent), motivation and so on.  I find that it takes a good year for a guitarist of that age to be able to play reasonably with others, but much less time for the other instruments. Children that are younger than that often lack to size, motor skills, motivation (usually their parents want them to learn), and concentration to persist.  I would like students to be life long learners and players and I find that starting them at about 8 sees them through the difficult teenage years and they play into adulthood.  Now if you are older, particularly over 25 - 30, you will find it harder, (but not impossible), unless you had exposure to music as a child.  It's like learning a language, it's harder as you get older and you won't be so natural at it, but that shouldn't stop you enjoying it.  Work and family commitments also get in the way so progress is usually slower.  I do have some fast track strategies.

Q: How much do I have to practice between lessons?
A: Short bursts and often, and only the SKILLS.  Chord changes for muscle memory are like gym repetitions - to build strength and proficiency.  I do not want you or your child to sit for half an hour a day and make it a chore.  Make skill building something you do in between all the other things.  For example, just before brushing your teeth, pick up your instrument and do 20 reps of chord changes, or what ever skill you are trying to achieve in order to play the song you are learning. It can be a reward activity or like natural child play, something self initiated and self motivated.  If it is a chore for anyone of any age, they won't continue.  The more you learn, the better you get, the more you want to play.

Q: What style of music do you teach?
A: I offer a contemporary program.  Pop, rock, folk are the main styles incorporated into lessons based around chords, riffs and beats to well known songs.  

Q: Do you teach music theory and music reading?
A: Yes.  Music reading and theory are taught in relation to the repertoire learned.  TAB (Tablature) is a simplified notation for guitar and bass and is taught in preference to standard notation. Drummers learn and read standard drum notation.  Piano players are taught chord inversions and how to play from chord markings.  If reading standard notation is important to your music education, I would suggest adding a theory lesson to your time as it is like a language and requires time to learn and practice.

Q: When are you available for lessons?
A: Mondays through to Wednesdays at this point.  Daytime and evenings.  This could change so best to contact and check.