“Makes his pupils feel at ease, encourages, motivates and inspires them to learn” – Heather

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I started playing guitar at the age of 6 years old when I was at primary school with a beaten up old classical guitar with bent machine heads and crazy string height – it helped me to learn the basics but I didn’t really take to it and didn’t practise at that stage.

When I was coming up to my 13th birthday I was kindly offered an electric guitar and that was it, I was hooked! I wore out many tape players trying to copy artists such as Dire Straits, Shadows, Gary Moore and Jeff Beck to name but a few. I have played everyday since and am always learning new concepts and exploring different approaches, styles.

I was in a few bands at high school but back in those days music wasn’t seen as an ideal career choice so following my A levels I went to Art college but found I couldn’t wait to get back home to play guitar.

After art college I started to teach a few friends and really enjoyed the buzz it gave me seeing someone achieve. I then thought I would try it full time so I successfully applied for a Princes Trust loan to purchase some electric guitars, a bigger amp and a mixer. I started teaching groups of up to 8 in workshop style lessons around the Isle of Wight as well as one to one lessons ; I wrote up lessons and courses on my Dad’s computer as we didn’t have one at the time. The lessons proved to be not only fun but were successful too.

A few years later in 1999 I was approached by David and his brother Peter who were setting up a music college here on the Isle of Wight and asked if I could take a trial workshop. It went well and they asked me to be part of the team. I have proudly been teaching at Platform One Music College here on the island ever since and teach the guitar on the BTEC and Degree courses.

I also taught at Ryde school as a Peripatetic guitar teacher for over 18 years, teaching from ages 6 -18 within that setting.

I am extremely proud of all my pupils and their achievements – some play guitar as a career all over the world and some purely to relieve stress and have fun. As long as the student enjoys the lessons and makes progress that is the most important thing.

Due to the Pandemic, I started to teach lessons online and have been amazed at how well it can work. My hope via this website is that I can help other fellow guitarists to achieve their goals and aspirations.