Information About Nathan - Frome teacher -

(1 review)

Personal Description:

I am a qualified and versatile musician: 2:1 BMus(Hons) in Music with over 25 years of teaching experience. I have composed music for the theatre, played solo and in various bands, and taught music in schools and privately since graduating in music at the University of Birmingham. I also record and teach in a studio in Frome, and organise concerts, particularly of acoustic and folk music, in the local area. As well as the instruments mentioned I play and teach the Greek / Irish bouzouki, mandoin / mandola and bass guitar. I have an up to date DBS certificate.

Tutoring Experience:

I have taught guitar, piano, bass and music theory in schools and privately for over 25 years. I can teach classical and rock grades and have worked with various syllabuses including ABRSM, Trinity, RGT and Rockschool. Though mostly self-employed, I have also been employed by Somerset Music, the county peripatetic music service, and taught for many years in the teaching room at Glastonbury Music Shop. I was previously the Music Coordinator at Shapwick School, where I worked for nearly 20 years, and led the School Band, taught National Curriculum classroom music, ran a small recording studio, and organised peripatetic lessons. Shapwick specialised in SpLD education, so I have experience of teaching pupils with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ASD and other special needs.

Tutoring Approach:

I aim to teach the styles and approaches best suited to the pupil, and particularly enjoy teaching pop / rock / folk styles to "improvers", and working out favourite songs and tunes to play by ear or improvise. However my classical training means that I can teach the grades on guitar and piano and teach note reading too. I enjoy helping students to thoroughly understand their theory and learn chord shapes and scales all over the fretboard / keyboard. I am trained as a composer and can help with songwriting and the construction of tunes, as well as enabling students to use digital recording programs and other music technology

. As a gigging musician I specialise in playing folk / traditional acoustic styles, but can also play jazz standards, rock, pop and indie songs and some classical, as well as having some years of experience as a jobbing bass and keyboards player. In lessons aim to be as versatile as possible, and enjoy working out pupils' favourite pieces from YouTube etc. I have taught all ages, from primary age to pensioners, though a lot of my work these days is teaching teenagers how to play their chosen songs and solos.