James Ford profile is inactive at the moment. You can continue your search through our search engine
About James Ford
James Ford : Multi-instrumentalist. James teaches almost exclusively by ear. Perfect for on-line learning, those with Dyslexia or who struggle with reading. James will ask you about your favourite music & play a bit of it on Spotify / U-tube. He'll find a note, rif, chord, rhythm in the music & aim to get you to play it before the first lesson is over. Exercises can kill enjoyment stone dead so these are introduced only as they become necessary.
Playing along with your favourite music is something too few musicians even think of doing. Yet it's at the easier end of the learning spectrum & is serious fun. Just stop that smile....:-) The key to success is to learn how to properly listen. Once you can identify the melody, bass line, rhythm or the harmonies, you're half way to being able to reproduce them. Being able to sing a line you wish to play is one of the first steps. Many people give up an instrument because of the rigidity of written music. They often can't find the music for the things they'd like to play given the choice. They also stop listening. The more a musician relies on sheet music, the less they are able to play without it. James loves to join ensembles - jazz, folk, rock, pop. His gift is being able to join in with pretty much anything on a variety of instruments. This is the skill he's keenest to pass on.
James Ford: A Musical Journey
From the age of 6 James was inspired by his grandfather, an organist & multi-instrumentalist with a house full of instruments. Clarinet, Piano & Violin became James's instruments & he took private & school lessons.
On taking his grade 5 theory at age 13 he achieved 100%. At the age of 16 he took grade 8 clarinet. He already had grade 3 violin & grade 5 piano.
In his home town of Scarborough, he played violin in the School Orchestra & clarinet in the 40 piece 'EASY' (Eastern Areas Schools Youth) Band). In 1980 after winning auditions in Manchester for the televised 'Schools Proms' at the Albert Hall, the Band took part in second round auditions in Croydon. It was a masterclass in the art of playing with others. The EASY band was known throughout North Yorkshire for it’s disciplined approach to playing, because of it’s visionary leader Tony Turner & it's success. It finally did get to play at the 'School Proms' - though by then, James had left school.
Wilderness Years…
In 1981 James left school - & as a result had to leave the band he loved....
Playing along with your favourite music is something too few musicians even think of doing. Yet it's at the easier end of the learning spectrum & is serious fun. Just stop that smile....:-) The key to success is to learn how to properly listen. Once you can identify the melody, bass line, rhythm or the harmonies, you're half way to being able to reproduce them. Being able to sing a line you wish to play is one of the first steps. Many people give up an instrument because of the rigidity of written music. They often can't find the music for the things they'd like to play given the choice. They also stop listening. The more a musician relies on sheet music, the less they are able to play without it. James loves to join ensembles - jazz, folk, rock, pop. His gift is being able to join in with pretty much anything on a variety of instruments. This is the skill he's keenest to pass on.
James Ford: A Musical Journey
From the age of 6 James was inspired by his grandfather, an organist & multi-instrumentalist with a house full of instruments. Clarinet, Piano & Violin became James's instruments & he took private & school lessons.
On taking his grade 5 theory at age 13 he achieved 100%. At the age of 16 he took grade 8 clarinet. He already had grade 3 violin & grade 5 piano.
In his home town of Scarborough, he played violin in the School Orchestra & clarinet in the 40 piece 'EASY' (Eastern Areas Schools Youth) Band). In 1980 after winning auditions in Manchester for the televised 'Schools Proms' at the Albert Hall, the Band took part in second round auditions in Croydon. It was a masterclass in the art of playing with others. The EASY band was known throughout North Yorkshire for it’s disciplined approach to playing, because of it’s visionary leader Tony Turner & it's success. It finally did get to play at the 'School Proms' - though by then, James had left school.
Wilderness Years…
In 1981 James left school - & as a result had to leave the band he loved....
