McConnell's Guitar Tuition

02/08/2022

So in amongst the excitement of the lionesses absolutely nailing it on Sunday I totally forgot to post this!

I was lucky enough to be asked to back the amazing Lucy Millen for her live performance on BBC Introducing Hereford and Worcester on Sunday. She's a fantastic songwriter with a voice you can lose yourself in all too easily.

I would of course recommend that you listen to the whole show because there are some belting artists all the way through. but if you're in a hurry you can find our performances at 1:40 and 2:29. (That's hours not minutes!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0cknztf

We'll be playing a mix of her originals and some covers on the 14th of August at Dunkertons Cider Taproom in Cheltenham if you're so inclined.

Unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar music from Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

30/06/2022

Trying this one with everyone next week!

07/12/2021

Former McConnell's Student Cleo Kyriacou is getting some radio play tonight! Tune in and check her out. :-)

Pure Unsigned returns tonight at 10pm with your weekly fix of unsigned and independent music.

Festive music this week from Joey Clarkson, Jaz Beeson Music & Rachael Gow and we go Countrywide with Bristol based singer songwriter Cleo K, plus music from Kiera Longley, Suncharmer, The Midnight River Crew, Romarni Brytz and more

Listen across West Kent on 95.5 and 106.7 FM, online or ask your smart speaker to “Play West Kent Radio”.

12/11/2021

A key part of learning guitar is getting beyond that stage where you just learn odd sections of songs that you like and start focusing on completing whole songs. I've been working on a few with Alison for a little while. Last week we ran through a few, including this cover of landslide on which I think she did some really nice solid and consistent playing!

More of these to come I should think!

03/11/2021

It's probably not the sort of thing a guitar teacher should say, but there's a lot to be said for embracing the imperfections in your playing!

Jimi Hendrix’s thumb positioning, Paul McCartney’s picking technique on Blackbird... All of these have one thing in common...

15/10/2021

So nice to be able to get out and play for real again!

20/07/2021

Special offer. If I actually melt during your lesson you get it for free.

22/06/2021

In all the hecticness (I don't care what the squiggly red line says that IS SO a word) of the last month I completely forgot to post this. A little warmup jam with long-time McConnell's student Cameron several weeks ago.

Lovely to have him back for the first in-person lesson I've done in a year. Gradually phasing them back in until the lockdown rules are fully lifted. Still a couple of slots available here and there so get in touch!

23/03/2021

A few tips on memorising lyrics, but a lot of these ideas can be translated to remembering guitar parts too!

A brief set of steps on how to memorise song lyrics quickly and efficiently.

02/02/2021

If you're wondering whether it's the right time to get music lessons for your child there's a few things you might want to consider before you start.

As a guitar teacher you’d probably expect me to be of the opinion that all children should have music lessons. The first thing you should bear in mind when you're wondering whether they're ready is....