Paul

My name is Paul Collins and I am a guitar tutor from the United Kingdom. I structure my guitar lessons in accordance with the students needs. If the student is a beginner, I usually start by explaining the anatomy of the guitar itself, the tunings of the strings, and then how to play notes on the guitar fretboard, before grouping these notes into some very basic chords and scales. We would start by using chord diagrams and TAB notation, eventually progressing to writing the notes on the stave...

My name is Paul Collins and I am a guitar tutor from the United Kingdom. I structure my guitar lessons in accordance with the students needs. If the student is a beginner, I usually start by explaining the anatomy of the guitar itself, the tunings of the strings, and then how to play notes on the guitar fretboard, before grouping these notes into some very basic chords and scales. We would start by using chord diagrams and TAB notation, eventually progressing to writing the notes on the stave. I try to include references to the students favourite songs, as I believe it is important for the student to recognize what they are learning. For intermediate and advanced students, we would focus on specific techniques with a heavy emphasis on music theory. For those students requiring certification, I can guide them through their Rockschool, ABRSM, London College of Music and Trinity grades. I began playing the guitar 32 years ago, and have since built up a wealth of experience in teaching, performing and recording music. As a child, I would listen to rock n roll and Motown records at home, and eventually started to learn to play the guitar at age 10. I became interested in rock, heavy metal and punk rock music during my teenage years, which led to my interest in more specific guitar music as an adult. After playing in school bands, I played my first proper gig at age 17, and continued to perform in bands on guitar and bass, as well as record in recording studios. I began recording at home when I attended college to study Music Technology, and have since become a keen sound engineer and composer. I started teaching guitar and bass full time in 2005, and switched to working in guitar shops in 2009 for 11 years, whilst still teaching occasionally. Since working in guitar shops, I have developed a passion for guitar repair and maintenance. I now play guitar and bass at grade 8, as well as some ukulele and mandolin, and I have a particular interest in music theory, and transcribing music by ear. I enjoy writing, mixing and mastering my own music, as well as recording guitar for other artists. I am an Associate Member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors and a member of the Musicians Union. I have now returned to teaching guitar full time, and have recently decided to focus on online lessons.