Information About Leo - Chatteris teacher -

(2 reviews)

Personal Description:

I have been playing old-time and bluegrass banjo since 1966 and teaching since 1968. The styles that I teach include, Scruggs three finger picking, Melodic and Single String and Old-Time Frailing / Clawhammer; covering Bluegrass and Folk.

I have experience in country and bluegrass bands spanning many years. As well as 5 string banjo I play and teach electric and acoustic guitar.

I have worked both professionally and semi professionally in a number of bands with the role of lead instrumentalist. The bands that I have played with and been a member of covered a wide range of music including including acoustic Bluegrass and Folk, Rock, Country, Blues and a number of cover bands playing Electric and Acoustic Guitar, 5 String Banjo, Mandolin, Bass, and Fiddle.

Tutoring Experience:

I have been teaching music on a full time and part time basis for the last 40 years and hold a Joint Honours Degree in Psychology and Sociology, a Masters Degree in Cybernetics and Grade 5 Music Theory.

I taught the psychology of teaching and learning at the University of Surrey as a Research Fellow.

Tutoring Approach:

Each lesson is designed specifically for the student. I often find students having in depth knowledge in some areas and yet lack an understanding of why certain techniques or approaches work. I therefore often help underpin existing knowledge by teaching basic music theory such as scales and chord structures to enable students to understand what they are doing in more depth. I use tablature to document the pieces that I teach and welcome students to actually record the piece or exercise on their phone to give them an aide memoire.

I have taught banjo to raw beginners, guitarists and retired people, the young and the old in both age and musical knowledge. Many of my students want to learn for their own amusement and interest as well as some wanting to develop to play in bands. I am happy to coach and support whatever the student's aims are.