Frequently Asked Questions
Do you supply musical instruments?
No I do not, however there are a couple of good local musical instrument suppliers which you can find easily in the yellow pages or try www.ebay.co.uk or www.sax.co.uk or www.saxhire.co.uk.
What if I don’t want to commit to lots of lessons?
Whilst regular lessons is the best way to learn to play, if you can’t afford that route definitely get at least 10 lessons to ensure that you don’t start off with the wrong technique. It’s easier to learn the right technique to play than it is to undo deeply ingrained bad habits.
Do you do home visits?
No sorry it’s just not practical for me to do home visits as all my teaching resources are in my private studio.
At what age do you take children for lessons?
Generally around 8 years old, although I have taught younger children. Much depends on their concentration span and eagerness to learn. Parents please note that I have a full CRB disclosure, which is mandatory for any teacher who works with children. I have two young kids myself, and its important these days to ensure you know your child is in a safe environment.
Do you teach people with special needs?
Again this rather depends on the individual case. I have taught students with minor forms of autism and other special needs, and whilst the lessons can be challenging at times for me as a teacher parents have seen their children achieve rewarding progress.
Am I too old to learn?
No! It’s quite possible for adults and retired individuals to learn a musical instrument however look carefully at your work/family and other responsibilities before undertaking the discipline of learning a musical instrument. A musical instrument can add a new lease on life and you may find it takes you in all sorts of new and exciting directions. When you feel confident with your newly gained skills there is the community jazz orchestra, which I founded in July 2005 for any of my student aged 13 to 103 to join!
Do you take the same holidays as state school teachers?
No, I’m self-employed and generally teach during school holidays but not bank holidays. My custom is to take two weeks break over Christmas and another two weeks over the summer but other than that I’m generally available for tuition for the rest of the year. Most clients who employ my services as private teacher tend to pay me a small retainer fee to maintain their lesson slot when they wish to take holidays or small breaks.
What happens if I wish to discontinue lessons?
Should you wish to discontinue lessons, you should inform me as soon as possible. Usually six weeks notice is appreciated and is a part of a students ‘teacher/student’ contract, which is signed after a students second lesson.