Guitar Teacher Needed - SE London

pt22 · June 2023

Hi. I did some searching and can’t seem to find a central repository of guitar teachers, but plenty of ad-hoc requests on this and the technique forum. So here’s mine:

I’m looking for a theory and guitar technique teacher for myself in SE London. I’m in Catford and the local area is Lewisham, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Honor Oak, and even Crofton Park, Brockley or Crystal Palace. Travel to mine is preferred.

I’m 43, moderately skilled player but really just getting back into serious playing since uni, and it shows. I’d like to get back to basics. Scales, chords, timing, fretboard knowledge, etc. throw in some old school rock covers and I’ll be a happy camper.

Any and all help and references are appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

Switch625 · June 2023

Few websites spring to mind for finding a teacher:

https://musicteachers.co.uk/london/guitar

https://www.superprof.co.uk/

https://tutorful.co.uk

Bowks · June 2023

You could try Sound Heart Music up by The Honor Oak pub, they have lessons in the studios there.

I'm also in SE6 :-)

itsmike · June 2023

I’m in a similar area and found Google Maps to be handy for finding nearby guitar teachers.

pt22 · June 2023

Bowks said:

You could try Sound Heart Music up by The Honor Oak pub, they have lessons in the studios there.

I'm also in SE6 :-)

That’s not a bad shout, although I’ve only seen kids in there. I’m sure they’re better players than me anyhow

shame Eric Lindsay shut down.

Power-Beef · July 2023

Is Mr T @tugwellguitar in your search area?

ben_wuh · July 2023

I also live in Catford and have lessons with Nico Tomkins. I think his website is London guitar lessons but if you search his name you'll find him.

What every player wants/needs/expects from a teacher is different, so I don't want to oversell things too much, but the ideas he's shown me in 6 months have got me further than any other teacher. He's a conscientious teacher, send voice memos between lessons to remind you what was spoken about, and is super friendly and laid back to boot.

He definitely has a focus on being a rounded musician with technique and theory fundamentals. He's not really a 'hang out and jam' kind of a teacher - it's more about discussing and exploring concepts to take away and work on. I've found a little bit of trust in his approach goes a long way.

Couple of caveats: no sure he does home visits, and I'm learning jazz, which I think is his main area - though he has pretty broad taste so I reckon he'd also help you on the classic rock front.

Hope that helps!

pt22 · July 2023

Quite a few of us here in and around SE6! @ben_wuh thank you for the recommendation. I'll reach out to him!

soma1975 · July 2023

I was raised in SE6 then spent 20 years in SE13.

In stupid boring no music scene BR6 now

pt22 · July 2023

soma1975 said:

I was raised in SE6 then spent 20 years in SE13.

In stupid boring no music scene BR6 now

Please tell me what I wouldn’t know about the SE6 music scene as a new resident!

GoFish · July 2023

As an Se12' er, I'm watching this thread with some interest. A big hello to all local Fretboarders!

Nico Tomkins' approach sounds like a good fit for me and I'll bear him in mind for lessons. What sort of Jazz have you been focusing on, @ben_wuh?

Josh_Cosku · July 2023

Greetings from SE3!

soma1975 · July 2023

pt22 said:

soma1975 said:

I was raised in SE6 then spent 20 years in SE13.

In stupid boring no music scene BR6 now

Please tell me what I wouldn’t know about the SE6 music scene as a new resident!

David Lee Roth once called it the Rock n Roll Capital of the world* while Van Halen played the town hall in 1978. Here he is in Lewisham on the tour bus.

* He may have said this to evert town but there's a clip of it available online somewhere....

And Eddie backstage

https://www.themightyvanhalen.net/1978/05/27/1978-lewisham-uk-lewisham-odeon/

pt22 · July 2023

Ah darn. Only a year before I was born. So close!

That’s a great memento of old-school Lewisham.

GoFish · July 2023

Wasn't David Jones' "first gig" meant to be at the Fox and Firkin or something? That may be what Dave Lee Roth was thinking of.....

*It wasn't what he was thinking of. However, his initials do spell out DLR, so that's something.

Kebabkid · July 2023

soma1975 said:

pt22 said:

soma1975 said:

I was raised in SE6 then spent 20 years in SE13.

In stupid boring no music scene BR6 now

Please tell me what I wouldn’t know about the SE6 music scene as a new resident!

David Lee Roth once called it the Rock n Roll Capital of the world* while Van Halen played the town hall in 1978. Here he is in Lewisham on the tour bus.

* He may have said this to evert town but there's a clip of it available online somewhere....

And Eddie backstage

https://www.themightyvanhalen.net/1978/05/27/1978-lewisham-uk-lewisham-odeon/

his sound on that live bootleg just sounds like VH1 which probably goes a long way to proving they did record most of live

soma1975 · July 2023

GoFish said:

Wasn't David Jones' "first gig" meant to be at the Fox and Firkin or something? That may be what Dave Lee Roth was thinking of.....

*It wasn't what he was thinking of. However, his initials do spell out DLR, so that's something.

His first gig was in Beckenham I think. I thought it was where the O' Niels is. Bickley boy. Which is a lot closer to where I am now.

viz · July 2023

Tolis maybe? Or Jamie Humphries, or Phil Hilborne. Or choose your most fave guitar hero and see if you can get online lessons.

ben_wuh · July 2023

@GoFish mainly the classic standards with a few deviations into other slightly more esoteric territory. Mainly guided by nico who has a pretty encyclopedic knowledge of the topic. Tonnes of listening suggestions!

Seems like there's lots of us in the Catford/Bromley/Lewisham area. Dare I suggest a meet up?

soma1975 · July 2023

@noisepolluter is around that area too and we have been threatening to get in a room with amps for a few years now. Someone less shit than me at organising set it up and I'll be there!

pt22 · July 2023

I'd be up for a beer or non-alcoholic beverage sometime. My life is upside down at the moment learning how to manage a 4 week old daughter with reflux with my 20 month old son, so anything would probably have to be after 7pm. What's central? Catford? Sydenham?

Bowks · July 2023

pt22 said:

I'd be up for a beer or non-alcoholic beverage sometime. My life is upside down at the moment learning how to manage a 4 week old daughter with reflux with my 20 month old son, so anything would probably have to be after 7pm. What's central? Catford? Sydenham?

Sounds good to me!

THis place is, by far, the best place for loading in a tone of kit and being loud: https://www.musicroomlondon.com/rehearsal-studios

It is inside the dreaded ULEZ though

noisepolluter · July 2023

I’m BR1 Bromley North. @Bowks is also local, I’d be up for a meet up for some drinks. There’s a good ale place in Catford whose name escapes me - think it’s a converted Argos?

Alternatively in Bromley itself the Partridge is decent (and has an excellent open mic every other Wednesday - I can’t do this week but maybe the one in two weeks time?

Wouldn’t know what to suggest for actual rehearsal rooms - previously I’ve only used AScape (now sadly closed) or Antenna Studios (diabolical parking/traffic generally)

Clecko · July 2023

Hello from SE20. I'd be up for a SE pub meet up.

Clecko · July 2023

Also, I know that Twang Guitars in Penge do lessons, but I've only known kids go there, so can't speak to the quality or breadth.

There's a local musician who does guitar lessons at schools in the area as part of the Bromley Youth Music Trust initiative. His name is Conrad Vingoe and he seems like a knowledgeable and nice guy over email, but again I don't have any experience of tutoring from him:

https://www.conradvingoe.co.uk/

pt22 · July 2023

noisepolluter said:

I’m BR1 Bromley North. @Bowks is also local, I’d be up for a meet up for some drinks. There’s a good ale place in Catford whose name escapes me - think it’s a converted Argos?

https://fairytopgardenzoo.com/ Mainly cocktails it looks like. Id be up to try it.

Otherwise the Catford Bridge Tavern (right out the train station) is under new management and a little less...what it used to be. There's also Ignition Brewery in Sydenham for any craft beer fans, and of course the outdoor garden of the Blythe Hill Tavern which is always a good shout.

Bowks · July 2023

I'm keen to see how much of a change there had been at the CBT, it's never quite got it right in the 3 years we've lived here.

For crafty beers, there's also Southey Brewing in Penge, BR3wery and, my fave, Three Hounds Beer by Clock House Station.

Clecko · July 2023

I'm often in Three Hounds. It's appropriately named for me as it's next door to the place we get our dog groomed. My little face lights up when they say 'OK, give us about two and a half hours'.

DLM · July 2023

viz said:

Tolis maybe? Or Jamie Humphries, or Phil Hilborne. Or choose your most fave guitar hero and see if you can get online lessons.

@viz Didn't Jamie move to Sweden a few years back?

rlw · July 2023

Paul Tugwell is a good tutor. I learned with him before I moved to York. Great guy.

viz · July 2023

DLM said:

viz said:

Tolis maybe? Or Jamie Humphries, or Phil Hilborne. Or choose your most fave guitar hero and see if you can get online lessons.

@viz Didn't Jamie move to Sweden a few years back?

Ah, didn’t know that!

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Guitar Teacher Needed - SE London

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