34634124
Music Tuition Cornwall is for people in West Cornwall
who make - or want to make - music.
I will help you to learn:
Guitar - acoustic and electric
Bass guitar
Harmonica - the diatonic type used for blues, rock, folk and country music
Songwriting
Recording and producing music
My name is Graham Smith and I began playing harmonica and singing with a beat group when I was 15 and then as a student bought my first guitar. When I was 20 I began to play as a session musician in recording studios and onstage in London and elsewhere in Europe. I played with and for many inspiring people, including Al Stewart, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Gary Brooker, Alan Price, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Harry Nilsson, ELP and with producers George Martin, Alan Parsons, Gus Dudgeon and Richard Perry. I was also a member of various bands including Magna Carta and performed solo on the folk circuit. I spent several years in California working as a band leader and session player and during this time played with, amongst others, Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead and piano legend Nicky Hopkins.
Throughout this time I was lucky enough to work with and learn from some of the greatest engineers and producers. I now have a love of the process of recording and would very much like to share this with you. More recently I studied and trained in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and qualified as a Master Practitioner. Since then I have worked as a coach helping people to improve their performance and communication skills, to get through to an audience and increase their confidence. NLP is a great help in any teaching situation and I use it to help my students learn in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
Music Lessons
Most students see me weekly. The regular feedback and frequent coaching can be very helpful. Some students prefer to see me every two weeks, to spread the cost and to allow longer to practise and some want a brief course of lessons for a particular reason. Sometimes it works well for two students to learn together.
Please contact me to discuss the approach that suits you best.
I can help you to learn rock, pop, blues, folk, country and beginner classical. It is a good idea to bring some of your favourite music along to your lesson.
I use an audio computer to help you to learn. This enables you to:
hear examples
slow things down so you can analyse what's happening
record your playing so you can judge what to work on
create your own performances and arrangements - to broadcast standard.
Lessons cost £20 per hour
If you already play and want to improve I will help you to:
be clear about your goals, so you can focus your energy
develop your skills, so you can make real progress
be clear about what means most to you, so you can stay motivated
gain confidence in your strengths so you can build on them
If you haven't started to play yet I will help you to:
choose an intrument that suits you
develop a good technique, so you don't have to unlearn bad habits later
develop your musical ear, so you can hear more acutely
learn music that you really like, so you enjoy practising
gain confidence so you can learn in your own way
understand why some things sound better than others
learn to read musical notation, tablature and chord charts - if you wish
In either case, I will help you to enjoy what we do because making music is wonderful fun.
Student Quotes
"Graham manages to be encouraging while offering constructive advice. Listens to what you really want to do." N.W.
"Graham is very patient and laid back. He's cool and goes into the roots of the songs you like. Instead of one type of music he goes into all the genres." C.S.
"I have wanted to try and learn to play guitar for years but through a lack of confidence & determination I never got round to it. Since meeting Graham and talking things through I've finally got started. He gave me time and encouragement which enabled me to buy the right instrument and equipment." P.W.
"Graham's knowledge and playing ability is phenomenal and he is happy to explain as much or as little as I am ready for. He doesn't put pressure on me, so I feel welcome whether I've been able to practise a lot or not. He will give you whatever you want and need musically." S.M.
"I enjoy my lessons & practice time and with the offer of any problems answered even by e-mail I feel confident in the progress I am making". P. W.
"Friendly, easy lessons where you learn to play what you want. I'm dyslexic, so sometimes it's not that easy to learn things but with Graham I'm getting on really well with my guitar playing. I'm really pleased" C.T.
"Graham's calm 'student centered' approach to teaching guitar has enthused and inspired me." A.F. (teacher)
