Information About Francis - Leeds teacher

Personal Description:

My name is Francis . I have been a guitarist since the age of ten and a performing musician since sixteen. I learned to play primarily through the use of improvisation. This gives me a unique appreciation for the value of alternative teaching methods. I have learned to contend with the challenges presented to me by my attention deficit brain and I am more than happy to share this wisdom with those who seek it.

Tutoring Experience:

I began to teach my peers at the age of sixteen and moved into professional teaching four years afterwards. I have taught guitar to a wide range of people in both age and learning preferences. I have experience in working with people with ADHD in particular and have proved myself flexible enough to meet the varying demands of neurodivergent brain types. My style of teaching works best for those who aren't suited to a cold academic approach, and who would rather enjoy the learning process than attempt to struggle through it as quickly as possible.

Tutoring Approach:

My style of learning was adapted to best suit my own ADHD growing up and is consequently a good deal more entertaining than traditional methods. My main goal is to eliminate guilt and inferiority from the landscape of learning, which have become prevalent where grades and tests are concerned. I find very few people pick up the guitar because they really want an extra weekly chore. Thus I use improvisation as a primary tool for practice and though I may set homework, I do not oblige my students to spend their time worrying about it. The guitar must not become associated early on with chores and hard work because once you reach a basic competency it is neither of these things.

As well as covering scales, modes, harmony, rhythmic competency and musicality through improvisation, I can also teach you about song-writing and professional performance. As the lead-singer and guitarist in the three-piece rock band The Red Levels, I played gigs around Leeds and Bradford and know what it takes to pull it off on stage. If you'd like to hear my songs, you can go to Spotify or YouTube and search for 'The Red Levels' - I'd suggest 'Let's Try Again'.

I am happy to take complete beginners as well as advanced pupils. In every case I will prioritise bringing joy to your playing.