Information About Iestyn - Leominster teacher

Personal Description:

I started playing the guitar at the age of fifteen receiving classical guitar lessons for three years. During this period my enthusiasm was for songwriting, which was encouraged by my tutor, and I performed original songs in folk clubs, strictly avoiding other material so as not to become a derivative artist. I maintain this attitude to the current day… At the age of twenty-eight I commenced a Degree in Music and Theatre as I realised a knowledge of music theory would be necessary for my songs to be expressions of my intentions as opposed to fortuitous discoveries. To this end my classical guitar studies recommenced and I rationalised that if I ended up sounding like J. S. Bach, that was ok!
Upon graduating I performed classical repertoire in various background capacities and secured a contract to to play at craft fairs in excess of twenty-five long-weekends per year. I continued with this for five years which forms the basis of what I consider extensive experience as a classical performer. Following this I arranged formal recitals before moving to Spain for fifteen years living the 'life of Riley'!
Recently (Oct 2020) returning from Spain I am in a position to share my knowledge in a didactic capacity and along with classical performances, to the level of Bach's Chaconne. I am once again motivated to produce original compositions.

Tutoring Experience:

Since graduation I have given various lessons though have been reticent to do so until fully confident in my own abilities as a performer at the 'highest' level. I am now willing to pass on what I have learned.

Tutoring Approach:

I offer tuition in classical guitar specifically, which comprises of two mandatory elements, instrument technique and general musicianship. The former requires no explanation but the latter may be regarded as the grammar of music and includes acquiring the skills of reading and writing standard musical notation and an understanding of music's technical language. A wonderful and enjoyable resource which I use to this end is the Associated Board Music Theory syllabus up to grade five.
I feel it is important to note that 'comprehension without retention' is not learning and the study of music involves the memorisation of fundamental blocks of information, much like the multiplication tables in mathematics. It is incumbent on the tutor to supply the most effective manner in which this may be achieved for a rapid development which will bring it's own rewards.
The idiosyncrasies of the classical guitar make it a particularly demanding instrument to play, therefore there is no reason to increase this challenge by failing to apply aids that significantly reduce the effort required. One such obvious and overlooked aid, the lack of which accounts for much frustration and discouragement amongst guitarists, is the ability to instantaneously locate each note on the fretboard. Via an addictive and effective exercise, requiring little more than five minutes per day, this may be achieved in the first one to two months of study and is possibly the most significant measure of progress.
While much of the above may sound severe, I merely wish to emphasise that though I may be an 'easy going fellow' the study of music is not. A musician is a magician who uses no tricks!