Music lessons in Bristol

My interest in music started out in my early teens. With a father who not only played the guitar but made them too, it was inevitable that I would be drawn to music. I was inspired by the guitar-driven punk bands of the early 2000s, and I began practicing nonstop and played along to my favourite bands' albums in my room. Even from this early age I started a band with friends at school and had weekly rehearsals. As my passion for music grew, so did my musical taste which opened me up to various genres, guitarists and their playing styles. I continued my studies in music after school at Bridgwater college, Truro college and Plymouth University on my way to achieving a BA (Hons) in music. During this time I also worked my way through Rockschool Grades in order to obtain a Grade 8 certificate on the guitar. This furthered my exposure to specific guitar techniques and skills which has helped me in developing my own approach to teaching. I have been working as a full-time tutor and musician ever since finishing my studies and I have been active in my local music scene in Bristol and Somerset as well as the rest of the UK. I perform regularly in many genres and bands, both on the guitar and bass guitar. I am currently involved in weddings and corporate bands as well as small pub bands and original groups. I also spend a lot of time writing and arranging music. During our lessons together you will learn the best way to master the guitar as well as a whole host of songs and techniques.

Louis is a guitar and piano teacher based in Stockport. He has experience of teaching students from various ranges in group settings. Louis has a 2.1 BA in Songwriting achieved at BIMM Manchester. This has given him the skills to teach students a wide curriculum of composition, music production, acoustic guitar and piano. Lessons will be tailored to the student with a scheme of work that focuses on their goals and aims. Topics will include: Technique which involves right hand technique, rhythm, scales and scale positions and learning new chords and strumming patterns song repertoire which coincides with technique. music history

I am a fully qualified Singing Teacher and Vocal Coach with nearly 20 years of teaching experience. I hold an ALCM (Dip) and ALCM (TD). Whilst training for these qualifications I studied the voice in great detail, which enables me to ensure that I can explain and demonstrate how to get the best from your voice without causing damage. I have taken various examinations in Classical and Music Theatre Singing (both to Grade 8)  Piano and Theory of Music (both to Grade 5). I am extremely passionate about teaching singing, and enjoy hearing my students flourish as they find their own voices! I have taught in both public and private schools across Bristol, as well as various performing arts companies, in groups and 121. I have performed in various music theatre shows and choirs, and in many different local venues including the Bristol Beacon. Lessons are tailored to each individual student once goals have been discussed and set. Whether a beginner or professional, I would be delighted to help you navigate your vocal way through to your ultimate destination! I am also able to enter you for singing exams, if this is something you wish to pursue.

I’ve been DJing and teaching students for 15 years, after founding Newcastle University’s DJ Society in 2010. Since then I’ve played a wide range of clubs and festivals across the UK, including Glastonbury, Parklife, Digital, World Headquarters and Lakota. For the past few years I’ve been working at Lakota in Bristol - playing, promoting and marketing events at the club, while managing The Bus Stop (@thebusstop_uk) - a 400-capacity stage at Stokes Croft Block Party. I’m now opening availability for a limited number of students, and all levels are welcome - whether you’re completely new to DJing or already play and want to refine your skills. DJing is a powerful creative outlet and a brilliant way to discover new music. We can build your confidence step-by-step, all the way to playing out live, and I can help create those opportunities when you’re ready. Every lesson is bespoke and tailored to your pace, style, and goals. I offer: •⁠  ⁠Hands on studio sessions using professional club standard equipment (1 or 2 hours) •⁠  ⁠Beginner, Intermediate and Development DJ courses •⁠  ⁠High quality audio set recordings •⁠  ⁠Live set recordings and edits using 4k multi-cams •⁠  ⁠Mixer effects, loops, beat matching, sampling •⁠  ⁠Track selection theory, Rekordbox library organisation, artist branding & marketing •⁠  ⁠3 deck mixing and advanced techniques •⁠  ⁠Live set opportunities and guidance Sessions: •⁠  ⁠Hands on 1-on-1 studio sessions using professional club standard equipment (1 or 2 hours) £35 / £60 All ages and abilities welcome, each session is planned and tailored to your experience to make sure you get the most out of it. •⁠  ⁠Beginner Course (10 x 2 hour sessions) 15% discount In this course you'll go from zero experience to learning the essentials - beat matching, creating playlists and preparing tracks with cue points. You'll grasp EQ basics and learn how to make a clean mix. By the end of the course you'll have built a 30min - 1hr set and be able to play it independently. •⁠  ⁠Intermediate Course (10 x 2 hour sessions) 15% discount You've played a few times and want to build on what you already know by learning more complex mixing - using effects and loops, vocal sampling, mixing in key. You'll fully organise your Rekordbox library, build a story in your sets through track selection and create unique mixes that define your style as an artist. •⁠  ⁠Development Course (10 x 2 hour sessions) 15% discount You're a capable DJ who wants to prepare for live sets. In this course you'll learn technical transitions, 3-deck mixing and advanced looping - while gaining performance confidence. You'll learn how to handle to unexpected changes during sets and recover from mistakes smoothly. You'll have the opportunity to record live sets in a professional studio with high quality audio and 4k video. Take high quality artist press shots in a professional photography studio, create an EPK and brand yourself as an artist. This course is bespoke and can be fully adapted to take you where you want to go next as a DJ. --- Sessions can be at my home studio or your own home (depending on your location, there may be an additional travel cost) If you’re ready to start DJing or level up your existing skills - get in touch. It would be great to meet you and help you progress.

Eliza teaches singing lessons for all ages and abilities. She believes that everyone has a voice and all we need to do is find that voice and let it flourish. We’ll pick songs ideal for you, in the right key for your range. Eliza also encourages you to work on songs out of your comfort zone in order to challenge you. She does lots of recordings within her lessons to enable you to learn through hearing yourself back, as well as perfecting a complete recording to mark your progress. Eliza also puts on quarterly private showcases at a cosy cocktail club in the heart of Bristol, providing you with a fantastic opportunity to perform to family, friends and fellow students. Not only are these events superb for your confidence, but they are also full of fun and warmth and are truly uplifting for all involved! Music Qualifications & Achievements: BA Hons in Commercial Music Grade 8 Distinction in Rock School Vocals I run a successful community choir, Bristol Choir Brigade I have: Hosted several music events and judged at competitions such as Open Mic UK and Teenstar Performed professionally at several private events over the years Been a session singer for various projects over the years Eliza also came up with the idea to produce a remake of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day”, the BBC’s 1997 Various Artists version. She wanted to portray her students’ progress: all ages and skill levels, highlighting the fact that you can take up singing whatever stage you’re at. Most of the students featured in this video have never sung to anyone before or even knew they had a voice. Eliza wanted her students to pick a Bristol location of their choice: somewhere important to them or their favourite landmark. She then brought her students together to form a choir for the gospel section at the end of the song.

Joe started at a young age and has been tutored by some of the UK's finest professional drummers such as James Hester (Cars on fire) Jason Bowld (Bullet for my Valentine, Pitchshifter, This is a menace, Bill Bailey) Dom Greensmith (Reef) Mark Whitlam (Freelance Jazz Drummer) Keiran Pepper (The Prodigy). Joe has extensive experience teaching privately and through various teaching companies for both 1-2-1 lessons and groups of up to 30 at a time. He has a real passion for teaching people of all ages and abilities with a formulaic approach to teaching, allowing for the development of the student in their own musical career. Joe holds a Professional Diploma in Modern Music after studying at the Bristol Institute of Modern Music. Joe encourages students to push their limits and strive to be the best they can be. His approach to learning inspires creativity, confidence and originality, which is something he strongly believes in as he is always keen to hear new music.

I am a qualified and friendly music teacher and working musician. I have worked as a music teacher in colleges, schools and independently for many years, during which time I have worked with a broad range of ages from primary school to 60+. I teach students who are working through grades on their instrument, with a 100% pass rate and also students who want to learn or improve without necessarily taking exams. I have loved music with a passion since a young child – I started piano and recorder lessons at 5 – and I love to share and pass on the joy that music can bring. Whether you have serious aspirations or just want to play for the love of it I love helping people on their journey. I am a professional musician with many years of experience. I gig regularly in Bristol and the surrounding areas with various bands including The Big R Big Band, The Blue Lion (wedding/function band), small jazz bands and a ska band among others. Music Qualifications & Achievements: BA (Hons) Creative Music technology Grade 8 Jazz Saxophone (Trinity) Grade 6 Saxophone (ABRSM) Grade 5 Music Theory (ABRSM) City & Guilds teaching qualification BTEC Nat. Dip. Music Technology

I am a patient guitar teacher who is passionate about communicating musical technique. Drawing from a rich background in diverse musical genres, I bring a distinctive teaching approach that ensures success. I don't just focus on theory memorisation; instead, I make learning engaging and effective by demonstrating musical examples in action, training the ear as much as the fingers. Qualifications: RSL Grade 8 (Electric Guitar)

Josh Doughty began playing the kora (a West African 21-stringed harp) when he was eight years old. First learning from his father, Adam Doughty, Josh soon developed a fascination for the instrument and would practice for hours on end, rewinding and replaying cassette tapes of kora masters and figuring out how to play along. As a teenager, his exceptional talent was spotted by Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate, who invited Josh to visit him in Mali to deepen his learning. Josh made his first trip to Mali in 2007, aged 17, and since then he has made countless extended visits to Mali and the neighbouring regions, embedding himself in the culture and traditions of West Africa. In this time, Toumani has become Josh’s teacher, mentor and friend. Over the past decade, Josh has collaborated with a number of leading musicians from Africa and Europe, including Sampha on his Mercury Prize-winning album, Process. He has played at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, St James’ Palace, the renowned Le Diplomate club in Mali and several UK festivals including WOMAD, Tribe of Doris, Tropical Pressure and Shambala. Winner of the World music category at the Welsh International Harp Festival in 2018, Josh also has been featured in Songlines Magazine and has delivered a TEDx talk on his life and his music. Now living in Bristol, UK, Josh teaches kora, plays and creates his own music. As well as teaching private students, Josh runs a regular workshop at Basel Music Academy in Switzerland and residential workshops in the UK as part of his co-founded venture, Korason Workshops. He also works with Live Music Now, providing music therapy to people in hospitals, care homes, hospices and special schools. Josh combines traditional rhythms with modern Western influences, composing pieces with an accomplished individual style that captivates his audience. His passion for this unique, complex and mesmerizing instrument earns him a rightful place amongst a new generation of kora players and brings joy to all who hear him play. Music Qualifications & Achievements: Student of Toumani Diabate

Hello! My name is Ashni, and I am a friendly and passionate music tutor specialising in piano lessons for children, while also offering music theory, violin, and guitar lessons. Music has been a huge part of my life since I was five years old, and I know first-hand how much joy, creativity, and confidence it can bring to children as they grow. My aim is to share that same joy with young learners, helping them not only learn to play an instrument but also develop a true love for music. I began learning piano and music theory at a young age and completed my Trinity College London exams up to Grade 5 in both theory and practical. Because I’ve gone through the process myself, I fully understand the journey students take when preparing for exams, and I know how to break everything down in a way that makes it simple and enjoyable for children. Alongside exam preparation, I also encourage learning for fun because music should be something a child looks forward to, not something that feels like a chore. My lessons are flexible and tailored to the needs of each student. For children working towards exams, I provide clear guidance and structured practice to prepare them for both theory and practical assessments. For those who prefer a more relaxed style, I offer fun piano lessons where we can learn to play songs that the child enjoys—whether it’s a tune from a favourite film, a popular song, or a simple melody they’ve always wanted to try. I also focus on teaching children to play by ear. I believe this is one of the most important skills a musician can have, and it gives children the confidence to explore music creatively by finding their own notes and rhythms without always relying on sheet music. I genuinely enjoy working with children, and I understand that every child learns differently. Some may need a slower, step-by-step approach, while others may thrive with playful challenges and creative exploration. My teaching style adapts to each child’s personality so they always feel supported and proud of their progress. I make sure lessons are kept short and interactive for younger children, using games, songs, and simple exercises to keep their attention and make learning fun. If you are looking for a patient, enthusiastic, and experienced tutor who can guide your child through piano exams, introduce them to music theory, or simply help them play their favourite songs, I would be delighted to help. I offer lessons that are engaging, affordable, and tailored to the needs of each child, and I always make sure the experience is enjoyable from the very first lesson. I look forward to welcoming new students and sharing the joy of music with them. Whether your child dreams of sitting exams, wants to learn how to play their favourite tune, or simply wishes to explore music in a fun way, I’m here to help make that journey exciting, supportive, and rewarding.

Music is one of the few things in this world that make sense to me, & I love helping others make sense of it. Certainly, it has been music that has kept me sane throughout 2020 as (& this applies to all levels of musicianship) being able to pick up an instrument and engage with the infinite world of rhythm, melody & harmony allows us as musicians to act as our own personal sound therapists. From my perspective, bettering your musical skills is akin to eating healthy and keeping fit. It is something all humans should engage with for their own personal, spiritual benefit. Rather than learning notes note by note from a page, I encourage students to explore music in a more free and personal way. This approach to teaching allows the student to progress in a more creative manner, and sound original sooner. I enjoy teaching various styles of music as it often presses me to better understand a genre that a student is interested in. I also love helping students find new music to inspire them as a constant stream of inspiration is key to maintaining enthusiasm and my guitar and bass lessons are focused on this. My main personal influence for guitar is predominantly from the Spanish style of Flamenco. Whilst living in Spain for two years I fell in love with flamenco and it has since become a personal lifetime study. Another personal musical pursuit is my learning of the national instrument of Mongolia, the Morin Khuur (Horsehead Fiddle). In 2019 I traveled to Mongolia to buy my Morin Khuur, receive lessons whilst there & hear some of the beautiful music of Mongolia firsthand. I am currently navigating myself through the world of music production in order to fuse these two styles. Also, as part of my university course, I am studying the bass guitar as my first study instrument. I chose this instrument so I could better understand the harmonic structure in music. These pursuits have kept me very well entertained, & I hope that I can share my enthusiasm for music with many more students and musicians as the years continue forward. I should also mention that together with my two brothers I make up a third of the comedic gipsy bardic group, Rusty Compass. Our music is available on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music ect. Music Qualifications & Achievements: Although I have not studied music academically before, I have just graduated from Solent University with a 2.1 in Popular Music Production and Performance. In the past I have received Flamenco tuition from one of the finest contemporary Flamenco guitarists; Augustine del la Fuente. I have also played many live performances, both on guitar and bass.

I am extremely passionate about music, having played the piano from the age of 5, drums from age 9, guitar from age 14 and bass guitar from age 19. I began gigging as a drummer around the age of 15, and was hooked straight away! I knew then all I wanted to do was play and teach drums professionally, which I’ve been doing now for the last 15 years. Many teachers start with a year of marching drum patterns on the snare drum alone – I guarantee you will be playing a full drum beat and drum roll round the kit by the end of your 1st lesson! Beginners to advanced all catered for. Have worked with children as young as 4 as well as retired adults! Parents welcome to sit in on 1st lesson Learn on proper acoustic drums, not electric kits as many teachers use! Grades or no grades – your choice! Musician’s Union registered, fully insured Music Qualifications & Achievements: I have played the drums for 30 years, having started at the age of 9! I’ve been a professional session drummer and tutor for around 15 years now, and have played in well over 50 bands up and down the country, as well as performing in Turkey, The Philippines, Thailand, in a wide range of styles and genres.