Facilities on offer include:

• Tuition in contemporary electric/acoustic guitar in any style from beginners to advanced
• Tuition covers technique, theory, reading music, improvisation (lead and rhythm), composition, musicianship, ear training and the practical application of all these aspects
• Tution takes place in a purpose built studio with a comfortable waiting room for parents where they can watch the lesson if they wish. (Television and reading material are provided)
• Top quality professional guitar amplification and effects processors
• Modern digital recording facilities
• Spare guitars (right and left handed) available for students to use during lessons
• Lessons are tailored to individual students
• Backing tracks provided to aid learning process
• I also offer tuition in jazz improvisation on any instrument and advanced ear training

Joel has been teaching and playing professionally for twenty one years and in that time has earned a reputation for the quality of his tuition. Pupils range in age from 7 to 67 and from absolute beginners through to professional players.

The lessons for beginners follow a basic structure which is a combination of both his own syllabus and that of the London College of Music (other syllabuses such as the Trinity/Rock School are also available). This means that if a pupil is interested in sitting the exams they will be in a position to take whichever grade is most suitable for them at that stage. In addition, lessons for both beginners and and advanced students are tailored to the individual. This allows a student to achieve his/her maximum potential without the limitations of following a fixed syllabus.

Students are encouraged to be proactive, taking what they learn and putting it into practice. Using a 'Mind and Body' approach other disciplines such as the Alexander Technique and certain accelerated learning techniques are used to help students achieve the best results possible (with a little effort on their part!).

The teacher/student relationship should be seen as a two-way process and a team effort. Everyone is an individual with their own unique ideas. This uniqueness should be encouraged and allowed to develop by empowering the student with new knowledge and confidence. Everyone can learn from others no matter how much or little they already know. At the time of writing (Feb 2009) Joel's students have a 100% pass rate across the four exam boards that he teaches. However, not all students wish to take exams, indeed, some may be put off learning to play the instrument because of the 'threat' of them. No student will be pressurised into taking an exam. The syllabus is designed so that the grades can be taken without having sat for the previous ones. Therefore it's never too late. It is far preferable that the student enjoys the lessons and the process of learning.

Here are a few comments from my students and parents:

"Just a quick note to say thank you for all the work you did with Tom. He thoroughly enjoyed your lessons and made fast progress. You have inspired and encouraged him and as a result he will always have his guitar close by." S Hobholm

"I just wanted to say that I learnt more in that first lesson than I have in months and I can't wait till the next.." P Stevens

"Can I just take this opportunity to say a "BIG thank you Joel for putting up with me". I really enjoy my lessons with you so much, I always look forward to coming over" M.Herbert