Phone: 07974 563725
email: info@maxfieldmusictuition.co.uk
with Chris Maxfield
Guitar Tuition
Lessons
With over 25 years of teaching music and music technology, both in the classroom and in one to one instrumental lessons, I offer one-to-one tuition covering a wide range of styles on both electric and acoustic guitars for students aged 5 and upwards.
Lessons are shaped around your ability and objectives, so whether you would like to learn the guitar for fun, or take it a little more seriously, I can offer a suitable pathway that will help you achieve your goals, whether that be performing either as an individual or as part of a band.
Most lessons are given from my own studio near Godalming, Surrey.
Current Student Grade 8 Exam Pass Count
97
Grades
I have taught hundreds of pupils instrumental grades and level 4 diplomas, and have helped guide many pupils to grade 8, both in the classroom and in one to one instrumental lessons.
Having run RSL exam centres for a number of years, and been an examiner for Edexcel Music Technology, I have picked a vast amount of knowledge about what examiners expect from pupils.
Lessons are shaped around the individuals ability and objectives, so whether you would like to learn the guitar for fun or take it a little more seriously I can offer a suitable pathway that will you achieve your goals.
As an RSL “RockSchool” registered tutor, I can teach all practical and theory grades plus RSL diplomas. The RSL exams are an excellent way to develop a broad range of techniques and playing styles which can incorporate well known pieces from the original artists. These qualifications are perfect for pupils who wish to gain a qualification in contemporary music, and there are many units and pathways from which to choose, with a focus on either music technology or performance.
I am a great believer that if you learn music theory properly, and apply it to your playing, it can prove to be an exceptionally useful element of your musicianship and again help you maximise your potential.
Student Excellence
Guitar Exams
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RSL (Rockschool)
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Electric, Acoustic, Ukulele and Bass courses
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Grades 1-8
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Performance Diplomas level 4 and 6
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Music Theory Exams
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RSL Rockschool
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Grades 1- 8
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ABRSM
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Grades 1-5
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Grade 6 – 8 (and level 4 and 6 Diploma) carry UCAS points, perfect for students looking to study music at a higher level. It can also outline to employers how focused you can be to be able to reach such a high standard.
The benefits of my tuition
My tuition gives each individual a focus and a clear direction that many online products lack. It can also introduce you to new styles and provide encouragement when things get a little tricky. In other words, a personal service.
I also love to involve my pupils in my live work so they get the opportunity to see myself and other professionals at work. Many great guitarists are self- taught but having some professional guidance can save hours by avoiding the need to un-learn bad techniques.
Having a good teacher can also help pupils to focus on building an effective practice routine that can help keep them motivated and avoid falling into bad habits. This will help speed up their learning process vastly and these learning skills can be transferred to many other learning skills, such as planning, time management, how to stay focused and how to keep improving and setting higher goals.
Each pupil is an individual and it is the role of a good to teacher to help maximize their potential by getting to know what motivates them as a musician. When a pupil goes through a tough period that is when the teacher can help find other ways and methods to improve in a specific area.
Guitar development
The following are techiniques that I believe are an essential part of a musicians development:
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Chord Knowledge: (CAGED Chord system), Harmonised Major and minor scales.
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Rhythmic Strumming Patterns
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Picking Patterns (Rhythm Pick Patterns)
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Finger Style (Travis Picking)
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Finger dexterity
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Picking
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Fingerstyle
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String Bending,
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Vibrato.
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Scales: Major and minor Pentatonic, Blues, Modes of the Major scale, Melodic and Harmonic Minor, Augment, Diminished and Chromatic.
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Phrasing: One of the most important and easily identifiable aspects of a musician’s sound is the way that they make musical phrases.
Length of Lessons
Half Hour Guitar Lessons
30 minute lessons can be very effective and are very popular amongst less experienced players as their attention span seems to suit this length. The other major factor is that finger strength has not had time to develop.
One Hour Guitar Lessons
Longer lessons are essential for pupils who want to achieve a lot in a short space of time. Of course if you have been playing for a while and you have a developed a regular practice routine your finger muscles will have grown stronger. This includes learning songs, grade pieces, scales, techniques and improvisation. Also I like to introduce music theory and style research and development into this.
Guitar Maintenance
Essential maintenance of your guitar is crucial to keep it performing as it should.
I cover all aspects of essential maintenance, including restringing, as part of my tuition.
