We take teaching seriously at Newbridge House of Music. Originally starting this school in 2012 under the name Ashbury Guitar School, we have been very lucky to have well over 500 students come through our doors.
Since our rebranding under our new name we have put lots of effort into making the lessons the best they can be, as well as the experience learning. Lessons are affordable but also a very high standard.
1. LESSONS ARE UNIQUE TO THE STUDENT
First things first, everyone is different and they way you learn is different. In the first lesson we make sure we talk about your goals and what you are looking to achieve with having lessons. Also as we get to know you, we will figure out the best way to teach you and understand the way you learn best. We will also ask you want songs and styles of music you are into, or specific techniques you wish to learn.
2. WE LEARN SONGS THAT YOU WANT TO LEARN
Whether you are a punk rocker, a popstar in the making, a musical fanatic or a metal head. We can learn the style you want to learn. It is also good as a musician to play all styles of music, so we will always encourage you to try out new things. But we wont make you suffer at all.
3. WE DON’T LEARN SONGS AT ALL!
We appreciate with some students, you don’t need to continue learning songs. This is usually students who have been playing a while and want to focus more on improving their skills on improvisation, playing in different areas of the neck/piano, understanding what they are playing and advancing their musicianship to the next level.
4. WE WORK AT YOUR PACE
We will always keep pushing you to learn new things and to play faster and slower and everything else that makes learning fun. But we will get to know you and if you need explaining something a few times before you get it that is fine. If you like to go through things quickly that is great! We are used to teaching at lots of different paces so don’t worry about it!
5. WE WORK ON IMPROVISATION AND UNDERSTANDING SCALES AND HOW TO USE THEM
Lots of our students are looking to improve their improvisation skills and understand playing over different chord progressions. We love this style of playing and can take you through the steps of becoming an amazing improviser!
6. WE HAVE FUN!
Even though we take the lessons seriously it is important that you enjoy the lessons and have a laugh! Music is meant to be fun and if you are enjoying playing your instrument and learning about it, it will only help in getting you good at it!
7. LEARN ABOUT CHORDS AND DIFFERENT INVERSIONS AND HOW TO USE THEM.
We would love to spend all our time soloing and playing catchy solos, but we also make sure we teach you about chords and how they work together. Spending time understanding chords makes you a real all around musician and actually improves your lead playing as well.
8. WE PLAN OUR LESSONS IN ADVANCE AND KEEP DETAILED TRACKERS OF EACH LESSON.
Before each lesson we carefully plan for the lesson. So if you mentioned a song or a specific style of music you want to work on, we will prepare in advance. Then we can jump straight into the piece of music as soon as the lesson starts.
9. WE HAVE LOTS OF PATIENCE!
Having lessons can make you worry about whether you are picking something up quick enough. Or you may feel like you are struggling with something and can’t get it fast enough. People struggle with different aspects of learning an instrument and we won’t ever rush you or make you feel like it is taking forever to learn something.
10. WE EXPLAIN THINGS CLEARLY AND RELATE EVERYTHING TO MUSIC!
As we said previously we have lots of experience teaching music and have taught every instrument over and over again, so we have developed ways of explaining things clearly and will gives you great ways to practice and to learn. We also make sure we always show you a musical example that you can play along to... as that is what it is all about!
But don’t just take our word for it!
Here are what some of our students have to say...
I’ve been having lessons with James for 1 year now. He’s very kind and funny. He lets me choose what songs I want to learn. He’s very patient and is good at making simple stuff sound really cool... even scales! He lets me have a go on any of his instruments at the end of each lesson. I look forward to going and have fun every week. — Elliott
I felt so lucky when I found James to teach the guitar, his playing ability is brilliant. I was in awe when watching him play my favourite songs with ease in front of me. James’s teaching ability is so relaxed but positive. I remember doing things on the guitar I’d never dream of, he seems to have the knack to get the best out of you, and not be one bit critical when you make a mistake. James is very organised and will definitely make you a better guitarist and you will enjoy it at the same time. — Dave
I had 10 months of lessons and my playing has come on leaps and bounds. Moreover, I’ve learned very useful things that I simply would not have considered if I had remained self-taught. We covered everything from learning specific songs, soloing, song-writing, theory, chord structures, scales and so on. James was always happy for me to suggest lessons, such as learning a song, or he was able to make suggestions about what we should cover. I always felt stretched by the lessons, but never out of my depth. The dedicated space available at Bristol House of Music is like a guitar-heaven! You are in a completely comfortable space to learn. I would definitely recommend Bristol House of Music to any of my friends or family who were interested in learning how to play the guitar or improving their playing and knowledge. — John
I have been having lessons with Kit for six months now, and I find her very patient and understanding. My favourite part of the lessons is when we make up a song on the spot, taking it in turns to play chords and improvisations. — Ryan
Kit is an excellent piano teacher! She makes the lessons very fun and I am always learning lots about my playing, I have improved so much since my first lesson. I can now read music and play many songs! — Harry
Kit is a very professional and creative singing teacher. I have 3 singing lessons per month with her and I thoroughly enjoy them. I highly recommend her to everyone. — Gosia
My daughter has become such a better singer since taking lessons with Kit, and her confidence has grown immensely. Kit always prepares the songs that my daughter asks for ahead of the lessons and is full of great suggestions to widen her repertoire. — Lisa
If you would like to book a lesson at Newbridge House of Music, fill out the form below and we will be in touch about your first FREE lesson:
