​I draw on 30 years of guitar experience to help you move forward on your guitar journey. I will go through all the basics like warming up the body, correct posture, correct left and right hand position and how to press the strings onto the frets. Then we will go into playing notes and chords, picking, strumming, holding a rhythm, harmony, arpeggios, timing, song construction and anything else that comes up while we explore the songs you like. I use encouragement and patience to help create a sense of enjoyment in playing the guitar.
I always go slowly and carefully as I I find it's better to focus on one thing and really try to understand it and appreciate it before moving on. There is no pressure from my side and no judgement or criticism. I feel that playing music is an opportunity to help ourselves to feel more grounded and connected. My focus is always on the idea that we play play music to make us feel good.
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Rates:
30 mins: 20 euro
45 mins: 25 euro
60 mins: 30 euro
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Current group classes:
Children's group at the Glounthuane Community Centre from 4:15 - 4:45PM on Tuesdays and 3 - 3:45PM on Sundays.​
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Beginners group at Douglas Community School on a Tuesday from 7:30 - 9PM
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Improvers group at Douglas Community School on a Wednesday from 7:30 - 9PM
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Beginners and improvers group upstairs at the Roundy on Saturdays from 3 - 4PM. (starting 7th March) The cost is 12 EUR per class.
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​Please contact me at alastairmsdouglas@gmail.com for more information.​​​
This is what some of my students have said about the classes I have given:
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“Alastair is a fantastic teacher.”
“A giving a very generous instructor, so glad to have learned from him.”
“Alastair is extremely patient and makes you feel confident.”
“Alastair brought his passion for music to every session, as well patience, encouragement and motivation.”
“Alastair is friendly knowledgeable and inclusive. I feel he allowed us to progress as a group but also individually.”
“As this was my first time taking guitar lessons I was pretty nervous and I was not sure if I would be able to learn quick enough to keep up with the rest of the class, but Alastair being the great teacher that he is soon had me and the class playing along nicely.”
“Excellent class, Alastair was so patient with us. I never had the confidence to play in front of anyone before but I feel that is now changing. I’ve signed up for another set of classes with Alastair”
“I learnt a lot during the lessons. I always felt encouraged to keep going.”
“Great class, would recommend to friends. Helped to grasp a lot of the basics. I am confident in the songs we learned because we practiced them every week.”
“I look forward to the guitar class to learn the guitar at a very suitable relaxed pace with an abundance of support and encouragement from Alastair. The warm-ups, advice on practicing and posture have given me the courage to continue on this music journey.”
“The progression through the course is very encouraging. I’m playing songs now and before I never thought that would be possible. Alastair is very calm and encouraging in a quiet way and makes learning the guitar a pleasure. I cannot recommend Alastair enough!”​​