Welcome to
Guitar Lessons Crystal Palace
I'm John Atterbury, an experienced guitar tutor and lifelong player, and I’m here to help you achieve your musical goals. With personalised lessons and an emphasis on practical, real-world musicianship, I help students of all ages unlock their potential at their own pace.
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Lessons Tailored To You
Local musician based in Forest Hill, South London with a Masters Degree in Music offering guitar, bass and ukulele lessons. Over fourteen years’ teaching experience with more than 300 satisfied students taught in South London since 2008. All lessons are shaped to suit each individual student's musical interests and educational needs. The focus of lessons is on practical playing skills with the choice of learning by ear and memory, TAB or standard notation.
Prices
£27 per 1/2 hour, £42 per hour
Guitar Teacher
John AtterburyLocation
13c Havelock Walk, London SE23 3HG, UKGet in touch to find out more.
Find out more about my guitar lessons, as well as book your first guitar lesson.
Supporting Your Musical Journey
My adult and young students often say that my lessons are a fun way to learn, which makes me proud. My method isn't just about handing off information but is designed around innovative ways to incorporate theory into practical skills.
If you're ready to embrace this approach and explore music theory in your lessons, I invite you to join me in this musical adventure. Whether you're a young learner or an adult guitar student, I love teaching guitar to everyone and as every good guitar teacher does, I will make a guitar lesson plan that suits your needs as a learner.
Prices:
£27 per 1/2 hour
£37 per 3/4 hour
£42 per hour
Lessons are weekly, fortnightly or as suits you.
Advice for New Students
Professional Guitar Teacher in Crystal Palace
Welcome! I'm thrilled you're considering diving into the world of music with me as your guitar teacher. My guitar lessons in Crystal Palace are tailored to meet your individual needs, whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to advance their skills. Each session with me is engaging and structured, yet allows flexibility to explore your musical interests.
First Lesson and Getting Started
During the first guitar lesson, we'll start by understanding your musical goals and any prior experiences you've had. Whether you're interested in learning to play your favourite artists' own songs or mastering a particular song, I’m here to help. We'll also go over the fundamental principles of playing guitar, and if you're entirely new, I'll introduce you to the basics like how to hold a guitar pick.
My Teaching Style
At Guitar Lessons Crystal Palace , I like to keep my teaching style approachable and fun, yet knowledgeable. Unlike a rigidly defined lesson program, my approach adapts to the student's pace and learning style. I incorporate music theory alongside practical elements to give a well-rounded experience. If you've had several failed attempts at learning before, don't worry—I believe in creating an environment that feels like good fun.
Advanced Techniques
When you're ready to take your guitar playing to the next level, I cover a range of advanced techniques tailored to your interests and skillset. We'll explore fingerstyle guitar, advanced strumming patterns, and intricate picking techniques to give your playing greater versatility and depth.
For electric guitar enthusiasts, I guide students through mastering bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and tapping to develop a sharper and more dynamic sound.
Additionally, we'll work on improvisation skills, including scale applications and phrasing, to elevate your confidence when creating your own solos. Whatever your goals, I'll ensure these techniques are taught in a way that feels approachable and achievable while pushing your skills forward.
Acoustic and Electric Guitar
For those intrigued by both the electric guitar and the acoustic guitar, we'll explore both during our lessons. My aim is to make you feel like a real guitarist, perhaps even experimenting with folk songs or elements of pop as you grow more confident.
A Community of Learning
Located in vibrant South London, Guitar Lessons Crystal Palace is conveniently accessible whether you heading in from Honor Oak Park or Forest Hill. Over the past few years, I've proudly taught students who went on to play in bands or simply improved personal skills, and many happily recommend my lessons.
I believe teaching music should resonate with heart n soul, and I'm committed to helping you reach your musical potential. So, if you’re ready to embark on this musical journey, let’s make learning guitar an enjoyable part of your life. Looking forward to meeting you soon!
Genres I Teach
Music is a vast and beautiful world, and I cater to a variety of genres so every guitar student can find their rhythm and style. Whether you’re a complete beginner exploring guitar lessons in Crystal Palace or an advanced musician looking to refine techniques in South East London, I offer instruction tailored to your interests.
Folk and Acoustic
For those who love the soothing tones of folk songs or the simplicity of acoustic melodies, my lessons focus on techniques to bring out the heart and soul of your playing. From traditional fingerpicking patterns to crafting your own songs, I ensure that every lesson is inspiring and creatively fulfilling.
Popular Music
If you’re drawn to the iconic sounds of popular music, we’ll explore a range of styles, from timeless rock anthems to chart-topping hits. With my guidance, you’ll learn how to play with confidence and tweak your own unique sound through new techniques and recording methods—perfect for an aspiring musician aiming to showcase their talent.
Blues and Jazz
For the more adventurous guitar student, I offer lessons that cover the soulful tones of blues and the intricate harmonies of jazz. Together, we'll work on understanding music theory, mastering improvisation, and learning how to play with feeling and precision, turning your guitar into an expressive extension of yourself.
Ukulele and Bass
Learning music here at MusicTeacher.com isn’t just limited to the guitar! Teachers in our community also teach ukulele lessons, which are a fun and approachable way to expand your musical repertoire. For bass guitar enthusiasts, sessions will focus on creating solid grooves, essential rhythmic skills, and recording techniques.
Music Theory & Your Playing
As a guitar teacher in Crystal Palace, I often encounter the belief that you can get by with just learning to play songs by ear. While that's a fantastic skill, understanding the fundamentals of music theory can greatly enhance your guitar playing. Think of music theory as the grammar of music—it sets the rules for harmonising notes and understanding rhythm, helping you see the patterns in the music you love to play.
Understanding and Applying Music Theory
In my guitar lessons in Crystal Palace, we will delve into the essential elements of music theory in a fun, approachable way. You'll learn about scales, chords, and rhythm, allowing you to play your favourite folk songs and experiment with different genres. For both complete beginners and more advanced guitar students, this knowledge can demystify the fretboard and allow you to transition beyond the rigidly defined lesson programme that some teachers might follow.
Enhancing Your Creativity with Music Theory
Another reason why I weave music theory into our lessons is that it sparks creativity. Understanding key signatures and progressions can inspire you to compose your own songs or improvise solos. Whether you're interested in guitar lessons or exploring the bass guitar, grasping music theory will unlock countless possibilities in your playing.
Electric, Acoustic & Bass Lessons
As a guitar teacher based in Crystal Palace, I've spent years helping both adult guitar students and complete beginners understand the differences between electric and acoustic guitars. Each has its own charm and requires distinct techniques, which I incorporate into my lessons in South London.
Acoustic Guitar: The Basics
Acoustic guitars are often where first lessons begin, especially for those interested in folk songs or classical music styles. Their hollow body naturally amplifies sound, making them an ideal choice for musicians who appreciate the organic, resonant tones of wood.
When learning an acoustic guitar, students often focus on fingerpicking or strumming techniques, which suit both solo play and accompaniment. The beauty of acoustic guitars lies in their ability to fill a room with sound without needing additional amplification, a feature I frequently highlight to my guitar students during sessions.
Electric Guitar: Amping It Up
In contrast, the electric guitar needs an amplifier to truly shine. I love teaching guitar students how to harness the electric guitar's potential for versatile sound expression. Whether you want to emulate a famous guitarist or dive into the history of an entire genre, electric guitars offer unparalleled flexibility. Techniques such as bending, sliding, and the use of effects pedals come into play, making them a perfect fit for rock, blues, and pop genres. This instrument easily becomes the centre of attention in band settings.
Tailoring Lessons to Your Journey
My teaching approach is built around helping you explore these instruments and find your unique voice—whether you're composing your own songs or mastering a classic tune.
My guitar lessons in Crystal Palace will delve into how to effectively apply music theory when switching between electric and acoustic guitars, ensuring you have a seamless experience with different instruments.
Let's embark on this rewarding musical journey together, offering guitar students the opportunity to explore both acoustic and electric guitar under the guidance of an experienced tutor committed to your growth.
Learning guitar is a deeply fulfilling journey, and I’d be delighted to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re an absolute beginner picking up a guitar for the first time or an experienced player looking to refine your craft, these lessons are tailored to your unique needs and aspirations. My approach combines structured guidance with a fun and supportive environment to ensure that learning feels both rewarding and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guitar tutors recommend that a beginner usually needs around 10-20 lessons to learn the basics, but progress depends on practice and individual goals.
While self-learning is possible, a guitar teacher provides structured guidance, personalised feedback, and helps accelerate your learning process.
Children can start guitar lessons as early as age 6, but it's never too late for adults to begin learning.
At Guitar Lessons Crystal Palace, Standard guitar lessons typically last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your schedule and learning needs.
It's recommended to have your own guitar for practice between lessons, but some teachers may provide instruments for use during the lesson. If you want to buy your first guitar then please do check out South London Music Limited located at 47 Grove Vale, London SE22 8EQ.
13c Havelock Walk, London SE23 3HG, UK Full teaching address will be provided upon first lesson booking.
Location
Teacher
John AtterburyFind out more about my guitar lessons and how to book your first session.
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