Tuition News Extra
when news gets older it gets moved here!
Fees!!
most parents are efficient at paying onetime with the red book system, but please do contact me if you need to know how much you owe. I will carry any outstanding fees into next term and give a paper bill for those who forget to cover till end of academic year.
Summer Half Term - Write a song!
Half term, this half terms homework is to write a song!
NEW VIDEO in Resources
ECO WEEK - recycled plectrums
School children don't forget to bring in e.g. an old margarine tub, or a yoghurt pot, or a bit of a cereal box to punch a recycled plectrum this week (23.5.11)..
Pick Punch!!
In the final week of this term I am going to take in my pick punch (it's like a big hole punch to make recycled plectrums out of thin plastic or card).. If you have a margarine tub/ old bank card / club card / similar that you child can bring in then I will make them some to take home (I will also bring a few spare for those who forget)
East Oxford Private Tuition
I have recently relocated to East Oxford, and there is a bit of space for private tuition there, please get in touch CONTACT ME for more information. I will continue the tuition in Stanford also as normal
SATS
lessons are continuing through SATS weeks as normal for most schools, where there is a clash I will try to re-arrange time. Please encourage fun playing mostly if your child is preparing for an exam in school.
NO lessons at East Hanney St James this week
Longworth Y3s last week were away on a trip, apologies I did not know about this, but will give them extra lesson time this week, please encourage a bit of practice as normal in the gap.
Summer Term
Lessons start this week, the main aim is to get back into regular playing and practice (although some pupils will get new pieces also).. please keep an eye in their red book and make sure they tick when they play.. it is very helpful when parents initial next to the ticks.
Friday students will miss lessons due to Royal Wedding Holiday!.. but please do encourage playing before next week also.
TOO Hooootttt!
it has been very hot and may well continue into summer, if appropriate you may like to suggest practice/performance in an outdoor space as a change.
NEW SCHOOL STUDENTS
You can now download startingguitarlessons.pdf to fill in and hand in at the office, or Email me if that is easier
Parent Feedback Form
thanks to parents who have filled in a Parent Feedback Form. Please can you fill one in as soon as you can if you haven't yet! 21.3.11
Adult Learning Update
click here for current news
NEW improver group is now full
EASTER HOLIDAY
Students have enjoyed the blues and improvising, and thank you to parents who have given feedback about the video! This holiday i would encourage that playing, it links to composition also so if they get bored do suggest writing a piece or a song in their red book! Happy Easter
Rock school
Rock school, once players are ready and if I think it is a good progression also they can move onto Rock school syllabus.. this is normally at the point they get an electric guitar, are secondary or late primary, and have also been learning notation guitar for at least a year. Please use the contact form to enquire about this if it applied to your child
why can't i just play fun guitar??
A common problem at the moment seems to be encouraging all the different elements of guitar practice needed to develop. I love songs and chords, but as a teacher moving to this playing later is often easier than trying to regain theory or note knowledge later. As ever a mix of both is the ideal! This week we are doing the Blues and improvisation which is a different style again which I hope they enjoy! 21.3.11
NEW blues video in Resources
School performances
Caldecott Friday 18th Feb, Well done to all the guitarists! :)
Hanney, St James Tuesday 15th March, Great to see first time performances! well done
Watchfield Thursday 24th March, Well done to the 21 guitarists who performed!
Longworth Wednesday 30th March, parents welcome, Well done particularly to the young first time performers!
Dunmore Wednesday 6th April, with other instruments, Well done to all guitarists at Dunmore and the guitarists who played in the new Orchestra as well!
please keep an eye on site for any additional information, please encourage your child to 'perform' in front of someone at home at least once as a practice!
Feedback
thanks for your parent feedback, I'm pleased that particularly the cartoon videos seem to have helped children. I will make more in the future!.. Some parents haven't watched the videos so if you get chance please check the Resources section to see if they might help your child. I am also pleased that the practice video has helped with practice at home.. which i gather is still proving difficult sometimes!
Half Term Worksheet feb 2011
do as much as you can! Find a piece to share in your lesson, ask a parent to help you search for a song using eg google.. remember to put chords, or tab after the song name.. eg. search for "Twist and Shout Beatles chords".
There are now waiting lists at Hanney and Watchfield schools, please do get it touch if you want your child to start after Easter at any school i currently teach
Parent Feedback Form
Can every parent of a current student please take a few minutes to fill in this Parent Feedback Form before the start of next term. Thank you for your feedback! 10.2.10
KAs school, Wantage
I am now set up to teach follow up tuition at King Alfreds School, Wantage. (East Site currently, please contact if you want more information)
Performing video
New video on performing is here.
Do encourage your child to perform, some love it but many are shy. Short performances are best to build confidence.
Fees
remember to check the red book! I have added an update here also
Tuition Fees 26.1.11
Guitar Practice Video
I created this mainly to give young guitarists ideas to keep them practicing regularly, hope you find it useful.. click here 11.1.11
Update, thanks to parents who've checked ticking.. it has made a real difference to some pupils as they are keen to show me how much hard work they have done practicing at home! 26.1.11
Start of Term
please check red book for fees due (or slip of paper if book was forgotten!), I'm going to check ticks for practice so please encourage your child to tick when they do.. I'm also hoping to put a new video about practice on the site in the next few days also..
Adult Learning
Important information on
Adult Learning courses please read.
updated 11.1.11
2011
School lessons start in first week of term, so remember to bring your guitar!
Practice Tips
New practice tips added, do please give feedback if you have tips you would like to share!
ADULT CLASSES
I have just been told that due to government cuts adult classes need full numbers to run after christmas.. I'm optimistic that we can still continue our beginners and improver groups but please enrol early if you can. Also if you know anyone who wants to join this sort of group and is of similar ability to get in touch.. more info to follow 21.12.10
End of term
End of term is a busy time in schools, please keep an eye on the site for updates about guitar.
There are guitar lessons right up until the end of term so don't forget guitars
Please check if you have outstanding fees to be paid. and
contact me if you are unsure how much you still owe. please send fees ASAP.
Unfortunately a few Y2s missed their lesson at Hanney today (7.12.10).. this was due to filming and play practice in the school, I do apologise for this and will give these students extra time next week.. please do encourage them to practice singing 'we wish you a merry christmas' over a D chord if they need something new!
Final week of term is fun lesson, Christmas songs, small performances and demo of electric guitar!..
Christmas is round the corner
It may be dark outside but this time of year is great to get musical! Look for The Star in the yellow book.. can you play it yet? At some point soon I will give out a sheet with some songs you may know as well!..
Harry Potter, Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne, Sponge Bob.. and more!
Young Musician Event, All Saint Church Faringdon 20.11.10
Well done to Samuel and Kieran from Longworth and Watchfield who entered.
This is the first year I've been but I hope next year more young guitarists will follow their lead!!É
Practice! please ensure your child ticks in the red book when they practice, I can reinforce this in their lesson to encourage regular practice. I will check this week and next week particularly as a few parents have given feedback about practice being hard to encourage sometimes at home. 1.11.10
Well done to every pupil that managed to get 3 or more ticks this week!!
*new* I will be teaching pupils at Fitzwarren school after half term
*news* Unfortunately there aren't enough pupils at Uffington school to continue guitar lessons there at the moment, lessons are stopping for next half term. please get in touch if you would like more information or would like to be informed of a restart date in the future.
Please check below for Adult Learning Classes, and course dates.