I began teaching and sharing my insights about music around 2000. Having built quite a large number of students I set about forming the Middlesbrough Jazz & Blues Orchestra (see www.mjbo.co.uk) where both my students and other community musicians have the opportunity to develop their musical abilities and play some very fine music in a ‘Big Band’ setting.

My approach to teaching is to keep the lessons fun but at the same time impress upon students the need to take their music seriously. There are options available for students to take graded exams studying with either London College of Music or Associated Board exam grades up to grade 8 or to learn purely for fun.

The Classical Guitar is an instrument I really enjoy, I own a Kenneth Roberts hand built guitar and I am a member of the RGT (Registry of Guitar Tutors) and also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

I’ve had some great opportunities over the years to play in many different musical settings from Saxophone Quartet, Dixieland Octet, Big Band and smaller Jazz combos. I’ve played at more weddings than I can recall, numerous Hotels and Restaurants and hopefully many more to come! My 3 main instruments in no particular order are- trombone, saxophone and guitar.

Frequently asked questions-

Do you supply instruments?
No I do not (try www.ebay.co.uk, www.sax.co.uk or www.saxhire.co.uk)

What if I don’t want to commit to loads of lessons?
Whilst regular lessons is the best way to learn if you can’t afford that route definitely get at least 10 lessons to ensure that you don’t start off with the wrong technique. It’s easier to learn the right technique to play than it is to undo deeply ingrained bad habits.

Do you do home visits?
No sorry it’s just not practical for me to do home visits as all my teaching resources are in my private studio.

At what age do you take children for lessons?
Generally around 8 years old, although I have taught younger children. A lot depends on their concentration span and eagerness to learn. Parents please note that I have a CRB check which is mandatory for any teacher who works with kids. I have two young kids myself and its important these days to ensure you know your child is in safe hands.

Do you teach people with special needs?
Again this rather depends on the individual case. I do have students with minor forms of autism and other special needs, and whilst the lessons can be challenging at times for me as a teacher parents have seen their children make progress.

Am i told old to learn? No! It’s quite possible for adults and retired individuals to learn a musical instrument however look carefully at your work/family and other responsibilities before undertaking the discipline of learning a musical instrument. A musical instrument can add a new lease on life and you may find it takes you in all sorts of new and exciting directions.


Can a saxophone be too cheap?
(Article by www.saxophones.co.uk)

YES! If you're about to buy your first sax then please read on.
We haven't written this article in a cynical attempt to scare you into buying from us. Honestly, we don't care where you buy as long as you get a decent sax that isn't going to shatter your ambition. There are increasingly more very poor quality cheap saxes arriving in the UK, mostly from China & India. The majority of these are not just cheap they are BAD and could put you off for life. Some are so bad were amazed that Trading Standards haven't yet dealt with them as they're more ornamental than playable. OK, they're brass, shiny and look the part but there's more to it than that. Some samples are being sent to us with amazing claims such as "this sax is as good as the leading brands," and "this sax was tested by a leading music professor who declared it as good as the best student models." We're not saxophone snobs and appreciate that for many people even a student sax is a major investment. So, when these samples arrive we always test them with an open mind but here are some of the more worrying problems we regularly encounter:

• Poor tuning (intonation). Most of these Saxes are so out of tune that even experienced players cannot make them play in tune. As a beginner you don't stand a chance.

• Soft low grade metal. This means they bend easily not just if you have an accident but the keywork bends out of shape through normal playing. Sure, a repairer can bend it back into shape but it’s only going to bend out again and again....

• Bad design. This means that instead of keys sitting nicely under your fingers they're misplaced making the sax awkward and uncomfortable to play.

• Poor build quality. This can be anything from bad lacquer, to solder joints coming apart, pads not sealing, corks and felts falling off, poorly fitting neck. Any one of these things can make the sax unplayable.


Want a more independent opinion? Then contact any of the sax teachers listed on our website. These guys are on the front line having to give a reality check to the unfortunate purchasers of these horrible Saxes, many on Ebay or from non-specialist shops. To the untrained eye they're not easy to spot as they often have European or American sounding brand names.

What can you do to avoid getting caught? Ask where the sax is made not where it comes from as these Saxes usually arrive through European or American importers. Taiwan is generally fine as they've been making good student Saxes for decades such as the Earlham, Trevor James, Elkhart, Jupiter 700, and Sakkusu etc. The Jupiter 500 Series is made in China and along with the Prelude, Arbiter & the Evette are the only Chinese made Saxes that (so far) we've found acceptable. Buy a sax with an established reputation, no-one was ever disappointed with a Yamaha! Buy from someone you trust or if in doubt get an opinion from a sax player or teacher.