Simon O'Keeffe

, Chi Gung and Chinese martial arts. The origin of the name comes from the Japanese Zen term Satori which means to awaken and discover one's true nature.
His playing is described as being groove based with lush harmonies, lots of chops with an advanced harmonic palette. It combines influences from jazz but has a rock edge with an eastern influence from his time spent in China and Japan, performing and studying Martial arts and Buddhism, as well as his long time study of yoga and meditation. (INFORMATION ON MY GUITAR TEACHING)

Guitar lessons 15 years experience all levels BA MA
Hi, my name is Simon. I am a professional guitar teacher, musician and producer. I have taught hundreds of students over a period of 15 years, working for 3 different music services as well as teaching privately one to one. I have an up to date DBS check and I have had regular safeguarding training over the last 10 years. I have prepared many of these students for Rock school and Classical guitar exams, with a 100 percent pass rate. I have a BA in music performance where I studied for three years with some of the best music tutors in the country. I also have a Masters degree in music production. I have been working as a musician in London for the last 17 years, performing in venues, bars, clubs in styles ranging from Jazz, Rock,Funk, Latin, Pop, African, Fusion. I have toured in Japan, China and many parts of Europe. I have a lot of experience working as a band leader and have been leading and producing projects throughout this time. I have extensive experience in teaching beginners through teaching in primary and secondary schools, as well as teaching up to an Advanced level, with many of my students going on to be professional Musicians themselves. I like to get my students playing songs very early on, I like to play and jam with my students as I feel it's a vital part of learning. I teach Acoustic, Electric and Nylon string guitar and have a tried and tested method for helping students achieve their goals. Or as an alternative approach, I have a tried and tested pathway of my own that I can recommend to inspire and possibly lead the student to their own vision. I can teach jazz theory to a high level. I teach all facets of guitar technique, ranging from legato, alternate picking, hybrid picking, tapping, bending. Lessons will be fun packed with lots of variety of materials, consisting of technique work, ear training, theory, playing songs and improvising, according to your wants and the type of music you like. I have a big interest in Eastern philosophy and practice. I am a trained Chi Gung teacher and have experience in helping to resolve injuries and tension when playing. MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON MY JOURNEY SO FAR

Fascinated by the guitar from the age of 5 from watching his uncle John Pope play, Simon would regularly ask him when he could start “your hands aren’t big enough yet” his uncle would say. After playing his uncle’s guitar in secret, (an adult size one), his uncle John said “it was time” at the age of 8. He was also schooled by his father Michael O’Keeffe, who would set him regular transcription tasks and his uncle John Barry, who would lend him Jimi Hendrix and Stevie ray Vaughan records
at the age of 13. He met his second mentor, a guitarist named Simon Golding, just graduated from Berkley school of music In Boston. Simon quickly became fascinated by his teacher’s recommendations and inspirations, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Wayne krantz, Mike stern as well as his teacher’s own music which amazed him with equal measure, a new world had opened up musically for him. Simon started to play his first shows and would make his first visits to Ronnie Scotts and pizza Express as an audience member, watching Famous jazz artists with his Guitar Teacher. He was also performing at the local music academy with the big band as well as with the teachers, performing music by Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. He then met a great Saxophonist teacher at college named Richie who inspired him to seek out a place at Guildhall school of music, wanting to stay closer to his early rock influences he decided to attend the guitar institute in London instead. Simon went on to meet his next big influence by the name of Shaun Baxter. At the age of 19 Simon dived into the London scene, playing for many local bands as well as running his own band, writing and co writing many records. He then met another big influence in his life, Jake Nong, a martial arts, Tai Chi and Chinese medicine practitioner. Simon studied martial arts, Tai chi and yoga for many years with Jake, which led him to travel to China and study there. He also sparked Simon’s interest in Buddhism which led to a long exploration of meditation, mindfulness and Buddhist history. He went on to study his masters degree, after working at Sony music, where he studied Music production to further his skills. Simon met another one of his influences, Oswaldo Santos, who inspired him to explore the Nylon string guitar. He then met Ecem Uzgor, another big influence on his playing. He united with both of them for his latest project Satoria, which he founded and produced.