Have a Powerful Reason for Doing This
Why are you really here? Be honest. Do you want to own the campfire singalong, nail Grade 5, busk in town, or become the guitarist everyone envies? You need a reason that lights you up even on the hard days. A vague “I suppose I should” will get you nowhere. When I started in 2004, I had a vision so clear it still fires me up as I write this. Find yours. Write it down. See it every day. Because when you know exactly why you’re doing this, you will do what it takes to make it real.
Prioritise and invest
Guitars are not cheap toys. They are instruments. If you want to sound good, stay motivated, and protect your hands, you need a decent one. Forget bargain-bin second-hand rubbish. Minimum £150. No exceptions. Buy from a trusted, Google-reviewed specialist who will set it up properly. I recommend Intersound Dursley or A Remus Sound Gloucester. Do this right or risk killing your motivation, hurting your hands, and crushing that dream of being a rockstar before it even starts.
Practice Expectations
To get real results you must practice often. Minimum four days a week. Ten minutes every day is far better than two hours at the weekend. You do not find time, you make it. Have a regular, scheduled time or it will not happen. If it is your dog’s birthday or you are going out for dinner, get up earlier and do it then. Once you move past Twinkle Twinkle, it will get hard. That is exactly when you will start looking for excuses to avoid the work. I do not tolerate excuses. This studio runs on honesty and effort.
My results are off the charts because everyone here puts in the work. If you cannot commit to something you have started because it is too hard for where you are right now or it needs more time than you can realistically give, say so. We will adjust your goals to fit what you can truly do. That is fine. But once we agree on something, you will stick to it.
If you want to change songs or styles, tell me. That is always fine if it is not one of the core, essential skills that you need to progress. Communicate openly. If you have bitten off more than you can chew or find something too hard, tell me early. We will recalibrate.
Slip-ups happen and that is normal. Just let me know in advance so there are no surprises and I do not think you just could not be bothered. But repeated patterns of excuses will not fly here. No lying to yourself or me. No special treatment. Everyone here owns it and puts in the work. That is why it works. That is why my students get results that are truly exceptional.
My results are off the charts because everyone here puts in the work. If you cannot commit to something you have started because it is too hard for where you are right now or it needs more time than you can realistically give, say so. We will adjust your goals to fit what you can truly do. That is fine. But once we agree on something, you will stick to it.
If you want to change songs or styles, tell me. That is always fine if it is not one of the core, essential skills that you need to progress. Communicate openly. If you have bitten off more than you can chew or find something too hard, tell me early. We will recalibrate.
Slip-ups happen and that is normal. Just let me know in advance so there are no surprises and I do not think you just could not be bothered. But repeated patterns of excuses will not fly here. No lying to yourself or me. No special treatment. Everyone here owns it and puts in the work. That is why it works. That is why my students get results that are truly exceptional.
Stay organised
Keep your music in a ring binder. Put current projects at the front, older pieces you still play further back, and ditch anything you no longer use. Your folder should be clear, tidy, and ready to grab. The same goes for your guitar. Do not pack it away in a cupboard. Keep it on a stand, in sight and in mind. Make it as easy as possible to pick up and play. If it is an electric guitar, keep it on the stand and plugged into the amp so you can just grab it and play. No messing around. The more friction there is between you and practice, the less likely you are to do it.
This really matters more than you think. No one is going to climb a mountain and fight a gorilla for their morning espresso. They will skip it. But if the café is around the corner, they will go every day. Make practice the easy option.
If you split time between two homes, invest in two guitars. Yes, it costs more. But it costs far less than years of wasted lessons. Get two guitar stands, two music stands, and two ring binders. Print your sheets twice if you need to. That is exactly what I do when I move between locations. It avoids constantly rebuilding your system, forgetting things, and making excuses about being at dad’s or mum’s.
Yes, it is an upfront cost. But compare that to hundreds or even thousands wasted on lessons that go nowhere because you or your child keeps showing up unprepared. Or worse, quitting out of frustration because it all felt too hard. The regret of giving up on a dream costs more than any second guitar ever will.
Be set up. Be organised. Remove the obstacles. Make it easy. That is how real progress happens.
This really matters more than you think. No one is going to climb a mountain and fight a gorilla for their morning espresso. They will skip it. But if the café is around the corner, they will go every day. Make practice the easy option.
If you split time between two homes, invest in two guitars. Yes, it costs more. But it costs far less than years of wasted lessons. Get two guitar stands, two music stands, and two ring binders. Print your sheets twice if you need to. That is exactly what I do when I move between locations. It avoids constantly rebuilding your system, forgetting things, and making excuses about being at dad’s or mum’s.
Yes, it is an upfront cost. But compare that to hundreds or even thousands wasted on lessons that go nowhere because you or your child keeps showing up unprepared. Or worse, quitting out of frustration because it all felt too hard. The regret of giving up on a dream costs more than any second guitar ever will.
Be set up. Be organised. Remove the obstacles. Make it easy. That is how real progress happens.
Write down instructions and solutions to problems clearly, also use your camera to film me demonstrating or explaining troubled sections, then store videos in a folder well labelled and easy to find during practice. This way you improve faster and your money goes further.
Be sure to download any backing tracks and store them in the folder too.
Be sure to download any backing tracks and store them in the folder too.
Get Your Files Sorted – Make Practice Effortless
This is not optional. If you want smooth, stress-free lessons, you need to know how to store, share, and find your files quickly. No more scrolling past 50 family photos to find the right PDF. This video shows you exactly how to use your phone to save and organise backing tracks, PDFs, and videos. You will learn how to Airdrop (or share) files, use Google Drive, and keep everything in one easy place.
Even if you are not tech savvy yet, you will be. I have taken all the pain and confusion out of it and broken it down step by step. Watch it. Do the tasks. Make your life ten times easier. This one simple habit will save you hours of frustration and help you get the absolute most out of your lessons. Don’t skip it. Get organised now.
Even if you are not tech savvy yet, you will be. I have taken all the pain and confusion out of it and broken it down step by step. Watch it. Do the tasks. Make your life ten times easier. This one simple habit will save you hours of frustration and help you get the absolute most out of your lessons. Don’t skip it. Get organised now.
Read Carefully – No Surprises
Read the teaching agreement thoroughly. Understand what you are signing. Do not come back saying you did not know about payment deadlines, cancellation policies, or that you actually have to practice. No excuses.
Same for exam books. Before you even start, read it cover to cover. Focus on the sections for your chosen pieces, but know everything so there are no surprises. Highlight anything unclear, bring questions to lessons. Be diligent. Do not just dive in with wild guesses. Work through as much as you can independently so I can help you with the tough parts. That is how you get truly good.
Same for exam books. Before you even start, read it cover to cover. Focus on the sections for your chosen pieces, but know everything so there are no surprises. Highlight anything unclear, bring questions to lessons. Be diligent. Do not just dive in with wild guesses. Work through as much as you can independently so I can help you with the tough parts. That is how you get truly good.
Be on time
Be on time, don't be too early though, I won't promise to be ready before your agreed time, I could be teaching a student or eating lunch.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
Pay on time
Please aim to arrive right on time for your lesson. I really appreciate your punctuality. I might be teaching another student or grabbing a quick lunch before your slot, so while you are welcome to arrive a minute or two early, I can only promise to be ready at our agreed time. If I am ready early, that is great but please do not expect or demand it. Thank you so much for understanding.
Set goals, be ambitious
If you want to get better faster, set a goal that excites you. It could be playing at an open mic, sitting an exam, or sharing a song with friends. Goals give you a reason to practice and push you past your comfort zone. Playing only in your bedroom will not challenge you enough to grow. Yes, getting on stage or taking an exam can feel scary. I still get nervous performing, even years after my first violin exam. But those nerves fade faster the more you do it. Face them and they will shrink. Avoid them and they will grow. Let us choose goals that keep you moving forward with purpose.
Be respectful
I am human like anyone else. I have busy days and I make mistakes. Please be patient, kind, and respectful. Let us keep the atmosphere relaxed, open, and positive.
Listen to my feedback and follow the tasks
Good students pay attention and follow instructions carefully. It is not about being strict for the sake of it. Every task I set is there to make you better and to save you time in the long run. I have prepared videos and PDFs designed to make learning faster and easier. If I send you something, please study it. It will help you understand what you are doing and avoid frustration later. Let us work together to make sure you learn things the right way.
Adult students
If you are older than me, that is great. Relax and enjoy the process. Do not take it too seriously or overthink it. Just follow my instructions like everyone else and have fun with it.
Relax and have fun
Remember, even though we need structure, consistency, and focus to get results, this is meant to be fun. We are here because we want to be, not because anyone is forcing us. Music is meant to be enjoyable, therapeutic, and deeply rewarding. Yes, there is effort and sometimes even frustration in learning, but ultimately it should bring you joy.
I do this work because I love it. It brings me genuine happiness to play, to teach, and to share music with others. That is what I want for you too. Let yourself enjoy the process. Feel the music in your body instead of getting stuck in your head. Let it move you. This is not about ticking boxes or stressing over perfection. It is about experiencing music fully and making it part of your life in a way that feels good.
So relax. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. That is truly what we are here to do.
I do this work because I love it. It brings me genuine happiness to play, to teach, and to share music with others. That is what I want for you too. Let yourself enjoy the process. Feel the music in your body instead of getting stuck in your head. Let it move you. This is not about ticking boxes or stressing over perfection. It is about experiencing music fully and making it part of your life in a way that feels good.
So relax. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. That is truly what we are here to do.