Keyboards, sibling rivalry and instinct
My own musical journey started back when I was about 7 years old. My parents were keen for my siblings and I to learn a musical instrument, so they booked us in for group keyboard lessons. I recall that it was exciting at first, but my older sister practiced way more than I did and consequently progressed faster. As a competitive brother, this simply would not do! I remember telling my Dad that I didn’t want to carry on, but still keen for me to learn an instrument, he asked me: “what would you like to learn?” And to this day, I have no idea why, but I said: “Guitar!”
I hadn’t really been exposed to guitar music, I didn’t know anyone who played guitar nor did I really know anything about it; but I guess I was called to it. Fortunately for me, my parents became aware of an older brother of a school class mate who was having lessons. I was booked in and never looked back.
My learning and life choices
I started the traditional way, playing classical guitar, but soon became more interested in electric guitar and made the switch when I was about 11 years old. Now I was really getting somewhere: starting off by learning old Shadows lead guitar parts and then on from there, gradually taking in more of the music I wanted to play, like Clapton, Hendrix and any other awesome lead guitar based bands.
But as is often the way of things, I also had to think about what I was going to do with my life. Music was never a career choice that was encouraged, so I headed to university to study Acoustical Engineering and embark on a “proper” career.
I worked in industry for about 10 years, but it never cut it for me. Throughout this time I was always focussing on guitar, always dreaming and believing I would make my living from guitar somehow.
I hit a point in my early 30s where I knew I knew it was time to make it a reality, so (after a stint in Granada immersing myself in the world of flamenco guitar), I shored up my musical qualifications, left my old life behind and embarked on my new life as a guitarist and guitar teacher.
Now
My playing is heavily influenced by the combination of the music I listened to when I was younger (even including the Irish music my mum played around the house) so check out The Bustling Tram Society if you’d like to hear more.
I believe that you can continue learning and developing as a guitarist, no matter what level you achieve, and I still book myself in for lessons here and there to further develop my understanding of flamenco as well as continually look to develop other aspects of my playing such as lead guitar too.
I primarily teach from my home studio in Spencers Wood as well as a local school; and thanks to my exploration of different styles over the years, I can offer great variety to my clients which will hopefully inspire them to explore the weird and wonderful world of music in their own way!
Musical ability is an open and infinite path if you choose to follow it, with plenty of new and incredible ideas along the way, and I love walking this path!
