Oxford Guitar Lessons

Julian is a master of the guitar and passionate about helping other people to learn how to play. He is patient, encouraging, and adept at tailoring his tuition to individual needs and abilities. With his easy manner and wit he makes learning fun, and I'm always looking forward to the next lesson. I have been learning classical guitar with Julian for 3 years and I hope to continue for many more years. It has become a real passion for me and that is greatly due to Julian's unique teaching style.

I started playing from scratch just over 3 years ago in an adult beginners class taught by Julian. I don't think I'd still be playing, nor have developed the enthusiasm I now have without Julian's patience, tolerance and complete acceptance of everyone's different levels of progress and musical interests. We've been encouraged to perform at regular concerts and have even started an small ensemble - but at no time have I ever felt pressured or stressed by the schedule. I've experienced a few different teachers over the last 3 years but realise that Julian's style is the one that really inspires me.

Julian has a way of getting your attention, making learning a pleasuable experience. Perhaps its his sense of humour or perhaps he is just simply the best.

I arrived in Julian’s class aged fifty not knowing one end of a Guitar from the other or the difference between a crotchet and a quaver. Some five years later I am a fairly competent player having mastered grade five ‘music theory’ and reached grade four level classical guitar. I am still learning and Julian’s classes continue to be the highlight of my week.

Julian is a naturally gifted musician who is not the least pretentious. His love of music and the guitar is carried through into his teaching making his classes a highly enjoyable and motivating experience. His natural demeanour is one of calm and patience and he exudes encouragement and enjoyment of playing. Whilst Julian follows the student’s lead he is skilled at assessing their pace and ability and at providing appropriate challenges so that each student makes consistent progress in developing both their skills and style of playing.

I have had Julian as a teacher both within a large class, and also with a small number of students. In both, he is a very clear, inspiring, professional and fun teacher and manages to coordinate and meet the needs of students who are often at very different levels. I have been his student for three years now and hope to continue for many years to come!

Julian is an excellent guitar teacher with a great sense of humour and an abundance of patience. Thanks to Julian's expert tuition, I obtained a Distinction (94%) in my Grade 3 classical guitar exam. Lessons are very enjoyable. You can go at your own pace and learn whatever types of music you like. Great preparation for music exams if you want to do them, but no pressure at all if you don't.

As well as teaching privately Julian has taught in schools and prisons, worked in the mental health field with music, song writing and recording, and run his own summer schools. He also has a great deal of experience with adult education teaching for many years at the Mary Ward Centre and Working Men’s College in London. In recent years he has been teaching classical guitar at the International Guitar Summer School in Cheltenham and Bath run by IGF (International Guitar Foundation).