Teaching

I teach Electric, Acoustic and Classical Guitar); Piano and Keyboard, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Music Theory , Music Production and Composition / Songwriting privately to a variety of students of all ages and abilities on a 1-1 basis both in-person and online.  I have a 100% pass rate in ABRSM, Trinity, Trinity Rock and Pop and Rockschool graded examinations.

(as of January 2023 - please note I am currently not taking on any new classical piano students. I can recommend other good local teachers!)


Grades are only one way of learning. I also have a large archive collection of songs and riffs of many styles and can also transcribe music by ear in the actual lesson. Students receive both a paper and PDF copy of all the music they learn in their lessons.

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LOCATION

Lessons are based at my home in Ilkley. Students are currently travelling from Ben Rhydding, Ilkley, Addingham, Menston, Burley in Wharfedale, Otley, Keighley, Skipton, Guiseley, Bolton Abbey, Bradford, Leeds City Centre and more. Additionally I can provide lessons via the internet using Zoom, FaceTime or Skype.
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Contact me on 07874053640 or b.j.siddall@gmail.com to book your first lesson!

Prices

(as of September 2023) - Lessons are priced at £30 for one hour and £15 for half an hour if paid for termly and £34 / £17 if paid for weekly. Prices are always subject to a yearly review.

What happens in a typical lesson?

Things you can expect from your lesson with me:

  • Tuition from a professional musician.
  • Lessons structured to fit your individual needs.
  • Recording facilities (professional microphones, music software etc) to record, playback and analyse your playing, if required. Using software I also can slow down Grade pieces without affecting the pitch to help practice at a slower tempo.
  • If you're a smartphone or tablet user I can recommend several free and cheap apps to help your learning including tuners, metronomes and music theory quizzes.
  • Free sheet music and lesson notes to take home or be emailed to you in PDF format.
  • A personalised video of any song or technique studied during our lesson on request.
  • Chord sequences or riffs transcribed ad-hoc by ear in the lesson.


Will you come to my house instead?
Unfortunately I cannot visit your home to teach but instead provide online lessons via Zoom, FaceTime or Skype for anyone who cannot travel to me.


Can I borrow an instrument for my first lesson?
Yes you can, I hold a spare guitar and ukulele for anyone who hasn't quite managed to make that first instrument purchase. I also have an amplifier, lots of guitar pedals and full-size 88-key stage piano for pupils to use.


Do I have to do grades and sit exams?
Not at all! It's up to you, though many people find that working through grades helps give their learning some structure. Other people enjoy learning their favourite songs alongside new riffs, skills and techniques on a more ad-hoc and personalised basis.

If you do choose to do grades, for classical guitar or piano I would recommend learning how to read music and following the ABRSM grade syllabus, for acoustic guitar I have found the Rockschool syllabus to be the most effective, and for electric guitar, the Trinity Rock and Pop syllabus. I use ABRSM or LCM for Music Theory graded exams. If you wish to pursue grades on the Ukulele, Rockschool have recently introduced a graded option.


How long should my lesson be?

For adults and older children, 1 hour. For primary school children I recommend a 30-minute lesson to be the most productive.


Do you offer a free consultation lesson?
I am happy to speak on the phone or email at length or meet in person for a short chat about your requirements prior to your first lesson proper.


Which guitar / keyboard / piano / ukulele / bass, accessories and books should I buy?
I can give you any information you need during our first phone call, text and/or lesson. I'm also in the process of creating some blog articles to help out with this.


What are your terms and conditions?
After your first lesson, I will ask you to read and sign a very simple standard contract for your tuition.