Matthew J. S.

About Matthew J. S.

About Matthew S

For enjoyable, well-planned and productive music lessons Matthew is the ideal choice. He is well-qualified, with a wealth of experience in teaching students guitar, piano, music theory and composition. Matthew has reached a high standard of musicianship and has performed recitals throughout the UK and Europe. Whilst studying for a BA at the Royal Welsh College of Music he had lessons and masterclasses with international guitarists acclaimed including John Mills and Carlos Bonell. He is equally adept at playing electric guitar and can perform piano music up to grade 7 standard. He has an excellent knowledge of music theory which he employs for composing both classical and popular music.
Matthew’s lessons offers great value for money. You will quickly learn the skills and techniques necessary to succeed at music. Matthew is very approachable and loves teaching all ages and abilities. Music is for everyone to enjoy.

Beginners Guitar Lessons
Matthew teaches from age 4 upwards. In the first few lessons you will learn how to hold the guitar properly, right-hand plectrum technique and left-hand technique. (N.B. please reverse hands if you are left-handed with a left-hand guitar). You will learn basic chords and chord strumming, how to read chord sheets, how to read tab. If you learn to do things properly you will progress faster and go further.
Please note young beginners will need a half-size or three-quarter size guitar.

Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Matthew teaches from complete beginner to advanced level from age 4 upwards.
Lessons will include:
• Left and right-hand techniques. Warm up and exercises.
• Chord strumming. Learning chord shapes and reading chord diagrams and chord charts.
• Learning to read tab.
• Playing pieces that suit the individual student. The pieces you have always wanted to play will now be in reach.
• Option of taking graded exams with LCM, Trinity etc. Matthew has a 100% pass rate for students who have taken graded exams on acoustic guitar.
• More advanced students will learn the notes on the fretboard and how to improvise.

Bass Guitar Lessons
Matthew teaches from complete beginner to advanced level from age 8 upwards.
Lessons will include:
• Left and right-hand techniques. Warm up and exercises.
• Learning scales patterns.
• Learning to read tab. and chord charts.
• Learn the notes on the fretboard and how to compose bass-lines to fit with chord sequences.
• Playing bass-lines from pieces that suit the individual student. The pieces you have always wanted to play will now be in reach.
• Option of taking graded exams with LCM, Rock School, Trinity etc. Matthew has a 100% pass rate for students who have taken graded exams on bass guitar.
• Understanding the controls on the bass guitar, the amp and using effects.

Classical Guitar Lessons
Matthew teaches from complete beginner to advanced level from age 4 upwards.
Lessons will include:
• Left and right-hand techniques. Warm up and exercises.
• Learning to read tab. and music notation, and mapping out the fretboard.
• Playing pieces from the classical guitar repertoire that suit the individual student. The pieces you have always wanted to play will now be in reach.
• Option of taking graded exams with ABRSM, LCM, Trinity etc. Matthew has a 100% pass rate for students who have taken graded exams on classical guitar.
• More advanced students can play guitar duets to aid musicianship.

Electric Guitar Lessons
Matthew teaches from complete beginner to advanced level from age 4 upwards.
Lessons will include:
• Left and right-hand techniques. Warm up and exercises. Learning how to achieve good control of the plectrum.
• Chord strumming. Learning chord shapes and reading chord diagrams and chord charts.
• Learning to read tab.
• Playing chord sequences and solos from pieces that suit the individual student. The pieces you have always wanted to play will now be in reach.
• Option of taking graded exams with LCM, Rock School, Trinity etc. Matthew has a 97% pass rate for students who have taken graded exams on electric guitar.
• More advanced students will learn the notes on the fretboard and how to improvise.
• Understanding the controls on the electric guitar, the amp and using effects.

Piano Lessons
Matthew teaches beginner to intermediate students from age 4 and up.
Piano lessons with Matthew include:
• The correct posture to use and good hand position with flexible wrists.
• Warm ups with scales, arpeggios and exercises.
• Learning music notation and mapping the keyboard.
• Playing pieces that suit the individual student. The pieces you have always wanted to play will now be in reach.
• Option of taking graded exams with ABRSM, LCM, Trinity etc.

Music Theory Lessons
Matthew teaches beginner to advanced students from age 7 and up. The purpose of music theory lessons is usually to help students pass Grade Five theory exams.
Music theory lessons with Matthew include:
• Writing notation.
• Learning syllabus requirements from graded exam theory books.
• Understanding the key system.
• Understanding harmony and writing up to four part harmony.
• Understanding time signatures and notating rhythms.
• Learning to write musical phrases and harmonising them.

Song writing Lessons
Matthew teaches beginner to advance students from age 8 and up.
Song writing lessons with Matthew include:
• Understanding harmony and chord progressions.
• Learning how melodies fit with chord sequences.
• Matching the rhythm of lyrics to musical rhythms and completing phrases.
• Exploring different songs structures and matching these with harmony and lyrics.
• Arranging songs for bands etc.

Composition Lessons
Matthew teaches immediate to advance students from age 8 and up.
Composition lessons with Matthew include:

• Writing effective musical phrases.
• Learning harmony and counterpoint.
• Exploring different structures and forms like binary, ternary, sonata etc.
• How to use instrumentation and orchestration.
• Advanced students may learn specialist instrumental techniques and extended musical composition.

First lesson
The lesson will establish the level you have reached so far and where to go next. If it is your first ever lesson Matthew will put you at ease and make a prompt start introducing what is needed in the first stages of learning the instrument. If you have played before Matthew help you to improve straight away by analysing your technique and musicianship. He will give you advice on which areas are good and what needs to improve.

Beginners
No need to worry or be nervous about the first lesson. Matthew has a wealth of experience with all different ages and abilities. He is very patient and good-natured so you will quickly feel at ease. Go at a pace you are comfortable with. Break the learning process down into manageable steps and gradually build up your skill level. The best musicians couldn’t play a single note when they started out. Dedication and practice are the keys to success. Musical ability is a bonus but you don’t need any special skills to become good at music.