Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | July 18, 2015

LEIGHS’ 17 YEAR OLD GUITAR STUDENT NAILS “STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN”

Over the years there have been thousands of guitar students pass through the Glenelg Guitar Studio, with ages ranging from 8 to 80, learning both modern and classical guitar and covering all genres and all abilities.

This video is a short interview with young student Pete Mitchell, the third of the Mitchell boys to study guitar here, and he then gives us a great rendition of the Stevie Ray Vaughn classic “Lenny”

This is a must watch video for all GGS students. See what you can achieve with persistence and regular practice. You can also see Pete playing here and follow his newly formed band on Facebook here.

Cheers
Leigh

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | July 9, 2015

Día de la independencia Argentina.

Hoy celebra la declaración de la independencia Argentina en 1816 y para celebrar el nacimiento del Tango, senor Fopp jugará para ti “Tango en la lluvia”. Disfrutar.

…and for my non-Spanish speaking friends.
Argentina Independence Day.
Today marks the declaration of Independence of Argentina in 1816 and to celebrate the birthplace of the Tango, Mister Fopp will play for you “Tango in the Rain”. Enjoy.

 

 

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | June 8, 2015

JUST 10 MINUTES OF FOCUS

No it’s not HOCUS POCUS. Just 10 minutes of FOCUS can really accelerate your Guitar learning this year.

And last year 22 of our students have proven it !!!

Do you want to join;
Krystal Thompson, Steve Kinnear, Sam Miller, Josh Kroehn, Pete Mitchell, Tim Mitchell, Luke Trenwith, Julian Flint, Sam Wright, Jack Stone, Will Govier, Justin Hutchins, Tori Buchanan, Joseph Bojcevski, Liana Chanon, Grady Clark, Jed Fraser, William Healey, Sophie Marchesan, Tiger Thompson, Isabella Velardo, and Daniel Walsh who all achieved outstanding results last year.

How did they do it in just 10 minutes? Well it’s just a matter of FOCUS. They put their names down to be assessed at their individual standard last year; and you can easily join them this year. Just nominate for assessment at your level this year by seeing me about assessment at your next lesson.

Assessment is really easy as it takes only 10 minutes of FOCUS. Well actually the FOCUS takes a bit longer than that, but the actual assessment takes only 10 minutes. You work on 2 scales and  3 pieces at YOUR level during the next 20 weeks, culminating in that 10 minutes of FOCUS. Nothing hard, nothing difficult, just pieces that you would want to learn anyway, or are probably already learning, only this way you do it with more FOCUS.

What do you get from it ?. You get more FOCUS for your learning and practice sessions, meaning you actually learn quicker and progress further during the year.

certificate 1Now you can have the same amazing experience that transformed last years group. They leapt forward with their Guitar learning by doing the 10 minute Guitar assessment.

This is not just my opinion, it’s proven by those who were assessed last year.  Read some of their comments below.

Have a think about it; talk to me about it at your next lesson and give it a go.

Cheers
Leigh

 

 

“Wow! That’s outstanding! Thanks for passing that on and thanks for giving her your support – she wouldn’t be able to do that without a good teacher! Lou-Immanuel Primary School parent”

“Hi Leigh, Wow – that’s a very pleasant surprise! Thanks so much for the news but also for your dedicated coaching and tuition – I definitely couldn’t have done it without you! Julian-IT specialist”

“Thanks so much Leigh for your wonderful news !!!! Daniel is so excited with that result he worked hard when pushed a little !!! Thankyou for your on going support and teaching .  Daniel already playing us bits of Sweet home Alabama  since yesterday !!! I think he’s really enjoying his new found confidence !!! Cheers Leigh  have a lovely weekend  chat soon” Jane and Warren-Immanuel Primary School parent

Hi Leigh, I honestly cannot believe it! Wow! Thanks for all your help and support. Krystal-Psychology graduate studying to be Music Therapist

Thankyou Leigh That is excellent news and we are very pleased for him and realise it is rewarding for you too. THANKYOU for your patience and we look forward to another good year. See you on Wed. Kind regards Debbie-Meridien School parent

Hi Leigh, Thanks for letting us know, Tori looks a bit stunned, I don’t think she was expecting a high mark! Thanks also for teaching her, being so supportive, and a positive influence on her. She loves her guitar lessons, she’s not so crazy about practice, but I am sure she will develop more in that area as time goes by”. Mark and Sandy-Immanuel College parents

Fantastic results – thanks so much for your great teaching and support for Josh! Michael and Maggie-parents of Josh who has been learning for 12+years

Thanks Leigh.  Yes a great result for Will.  Thanks for all your teaching with him – I think he really benefits from his guitar. Adam-Immanuel College parent

All credit to you. There is no way Jed would have practised as religiously as he has if it weren’t that he really enjoyed his lessons and playing. Thank you. This will definitely surprise him (as it has us) and will be good encouragement to keep up this high standard. Kind regards, Adele

Hi Leigh,
Wow…are you sure that is not a typo? 🙂
Good work to both of us and thanks for letting me know. I thought that I did enough to pass but that score is a surprise. 🙂Luke

Thank you Leigh. Very proud of him. Ros

Hi Leigh,WOW…this is great news, we have just showed Jack this email and he was pretty chuffed! We are very proud of him and thankyou for being a good teacher.He played ‘Lanterns’ at his school concert the other night and also did it really well.Thanks again and we’ll see you next week.Jodie

                

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | April 27, 2015

12 Habits to accelerate your Guitar progress this year…the last 6

cool cat

Yes I know the last 6 in the series have been a little while coming, however, it’s been very busy with lots of new students starting this year . Anyway, here they are, and I hope that you find some ideas useful.

7.USE A METRONOME.
When you listen to popular music most of the time you hear the drum beat in the time signature of the piece and this presents the beat for the other instruments. So when practicing have your own drummer by using a metronome in at least some of the pieces you are practicing. You can use the standard metronome or maybe an App for a talking metronome.  Imagine no more guesswork in timing for your practice !!!

 

8.USE BIRTHDAYS AND CHRISTMAS TO SUGGEST SONG BOOKS, ACCESSORIES ETC.
Ok, maybe not everyone wants to learn Christmas carols but I’m sure that you have favourite songs or artists, so put in your order for a song book or get lucky with that extra accessory you want. A new gadget certainly adds interest (and sometimes complexity) to your practice session.

9. BOOK IN FOR AN EXAM IN 2015
The decision to do a Music Exam certainly puts a new focus on your practice session and the pieces you need for your level are most likely the ones you’re working on now. It’s really not that hard and it gives you a feeling of real achievement.

While you can’t escape being nervous, exams are not stressful. It’s really not that hard and will give you  a feeling of real achievement. Look out for my next post where you will be able to see for yourselves the sensational results from the 2014 exam series by students of ALL AGES and ALL LEVELS! A mantra that works for me when deciding to perform or undertake exams is ” RISKS AREN’T SCARY ONCE YOU TAKE THEM” or this gem by Mark Twain, “WHAT I FEAR DOING THE MOST IS USUALLY WHAT I MOST NEED TO DO”.

10.WARM UP WITH DRILLS RELATED TO YOUR PIECES
Each new piece will have it challenges and if  you are learning modern or classical the same idea applies. There will be chord changes or fret movements that are new or challenging, so break them down, note by note and use them as your warm up exercise.

My teachers, many years ago, encouraged me to spend 25% of my practice time on technical work. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s that equated to 60-90 minutes of scales, arpeggios and drills! (Nowadays my warm up is 15 minutes of a 60 minute practice session)

11. ENROL IN A WEA GUITAR COURSE
Many students started their musical journey at the WEA. Courses have changed dramatically over the years, so if you are after an intensive course of study to supplement your regular lessons this could be for you. The group lessons are a relaxed enjoyable way to progress, for only a few hours on 2 or 3 Sunday mornings. I have a number of home students who regularly enrol in these courses and they are noticing a significant acceleration in their playing.

12. GET TOGETHER WITH OTHER MUSICIANS AND PLAY
In addition to my regular lessons, once a month I get together with like-minded acoustic Guitarists (of all ages and levels). We have a terrific time performing for each other well as “chewing the fat” on all aspects of Guitar playing. I consider it very good for my playing and most enjoyable.

The question is who can you get together with for an hour or two of playing and jamming, that will give you a lot of pleasure and enjoyment?. Why not prepare a solo or prepare a duet with me that we can put up on the Glenelg Guitar Studio website? Volunteers needed !!

That completes the 12 habits ( here is a link to the first 6 in case you missed them).  I hope you will employ some of these, as doing so will dramatically accelerate your progress and enjoyment before the end of 2015!
Cheers
Leigh

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Posted by: Glenelg Guitar Studio | April 7, 2015

2 GUITAR CONCERTS FOR $5.00 AND YOUR’E INVITED!

Guitar for Leigh

Now that’s what I call a bargain!

When:Wednesday 15th April at 12.10pm and 1.10pm
Where:Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide

Denny Vuong will perform solo at the 12.10 pm concert and he will then join Cathy Waldron and Tony Ward as the Adelaide Getaway Guitar Trio at 1.10pm.
Some of you may know Denny, Cathy and Tony from performances at the monthly sessions on a Friday night at the Mitcham Cultural Village.

Even if you are a student of modern guitar seeing a live performance of this caliber can only help you with the musical interpretation of your studies.

Parents: This concert is in school holidays so why not bring the kids to town for the day .

If you work in the city it will be a relaxing way to escape the office and spend your lunch hour. Imagine what it would be like to be taken away on a musical journey that will entertain, inspire and uplift you.

There are two concerts of approximately 40 minutes each. Entry is $5 (includes both performances) at the door.

Here is a link to the Adelaide Guitar Getaway Trio performing; and one for the whole programme of recitals at the Pilgrim Uniting Church.

Hope to see you there.
Cheers.
Leigh

 

 

 

Thanks Ian.

 

Leigh

 

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