Students of Guitar Player Studios were asked for their honest opinions to a few questions in order to give you a better idea of what you can expect when having guitar lessons in Geelong with me.

They have graciously allowed me to post their responses for you to read. I extend my sincere thanks to my students for their openess and for the honour of being their guitar teacher at this time in their playing life.

What do you value the most out of your lessons at Guitar Player Studios?

Guitar Player Studios has given me a directional path that will help me advance my playing for many years to come. I leave every lesson inspired and full of ideas. The week that follows each lesson is spent discovering and developing the ideas that were discussed; this is what I value most from my lessons.

Evan Lewis

The confidence I now have to play guitar in front of other people.   I feel good when I play, and I feel that Derek’s support in my goal was intrinsic in my ability to do this.

Sharon Bensted

The fact that lessons are tailored to what I want to do, and also that you have all those resources!

Isaac Rowntree

I value the fact that I can learn at my own pace and that I have many different ways of consolidating the information in guitar theory.

Clare

Lessons have allowed me to get excited/inspired about playing again. Renewed my interest in music and guitar which is becoming a passion again.

Rod S

The way you teach how to work things out and not just show how to do it.

Michael Jewett

I value the time put into the lesson content and the rapport between teacher and student. 

Elliott

Knowledge that I can apply throughout my life as a musician.

Carl

A relaxed atmosphere where I am praised for achieving a goal, no matter how big or small.  In depth explanations of what I am learning and the felling I’m learning from a friend – as opposed to someone I’m paying for a service.

Stephen

Lessons are structured, yet flexible, the lesson gives you as much as you want to take away to improve your playing ability.

Derek gives you the knowledge to be able to continue learning on your own, he gives you the theory to help you understand the way music is structured that way you can understand how you want to make music.

Lisa Brown

What are the main differences of having guitar lessons in Geelong at Guitar Player Studios as opposed to your previous experiences with other teachers and methods?

Before Guitar player studios I was learning how to play from the internet and other players that I knew. I found that everyone had their own opinions and different ways of playing, making it difficult to learn. The great thing about Guitar Player Studios is that the lessons are structured around my own musical interests, instead of a being taught how to play like someone else, Guitar Player Studios assists me in developing my own style. Which I really enjoy!

Evan Lewis

Structure, clearly focused path, and focus on musicality.

Isaac Rowntree

Derek, gives much better instruction. He teaches where my skills are at and explains things in very clear terms. Also the handouts he has developed are so helpful.

Clare Barrett

Lessons have more structure and are taught from a bottom up approach so that you understand the concepts fully.

Elliott

Hour lessons and also the knowledge given to the theory of how you play the guitar so that it is not just remembering a chord you understand the way a chord works.

Derek understands that music is not just about able to play an instrument but how you enjoy making music

Lisa Brown

What were the main reasons why you chose Guitar Player Studios for your guitar lessons in Geelong?

The reason I chose Guitar player studios was that as a learning guitarist I was lost with no direction, I would try to teach myself how to play using the internet and advice from friends that played. I found I could play things here and there but never really understood what I was playing and most importantly how to use it.

Evan Lewis

Confidence in the musical knowledge and experience. Not just doing teaching for extra cash, it is your passion and life, this is evident in your enthusiasm each week.

A genuine interest in students progress.  A reach for the stars attitude/believe in your dreams perspective.

Rod S

Having spoken to numerous tutors prior to speaking with Derek, I was left feeling I could achieve anything, whereas not so with the others.

Stephen

Derek’s teaching methods were different to other music schools, he offers hour lessons and the method of teaching develops your understanding of music.

Adapting each lesson to the student rather than a set lesson plan.

Lisa Brown

Do you feel that the guitar lessons are targeted at the direction you want to go?

I definitely feel the lessons are targeted at the direction I want to go. They are tailored to my musical preferences. We listen to songs from artists that I am inspired by and unpack the techniques used by them.

Evan Lewis

Definitely, as my circumstances have changed over the past two years, you were able to accommodate my changing goals etc.

Aaron Lovejoy

Each lesson I feel I’ve learned something toward my goal and each lesson has been a stepping stone to my ultimate goal.

Stephen

Yes. Derek has been great in trying to learn what direction I have wanted to go with my guitar playing.

This is why each lesson is structure to the student.

Lisa Brown

How do you feel about yourself as a guitarist now, compared to when you first started having guitar lessons at Guitar Player Studio?

I am freer on the guitar, and much more knowledgeable and therefore more confident with my playing abilities. As a guitarist I now feel I have a direction path to follow that will help me develop my own original style and achieve all my musical goals. I am enjoying playing the guitar much more and there is so much to learn and experiment with. I believe through the lessons I am able to explore any ideas I may have in my head and transfer them on the fret board confidently and with ease.

Evan Lewis

I have learnt a lot more about music that I expected and that has helped in developing my own songs, which has been fun.  I am definitely more confident in my playing, and hope to become more so.  I can see that I am freer on the guitar, and I try to work on developing this.

Sharon Bensted

I am vastly more knowledgeable that I have ever been with my music, I can look at the guitar neck and see endless options to play, my greatest problem is choosing, and with more practice the sky's the limits.

Michael Jewett

Knowledge has increased 10 fold plus, beginning to understand the fretboard more and more each day.   Becoming more able to play in different positions along the neck.

Rod

Initially, it was confronting to realise how much I didn’t know, but the journey has been rewarding so far and I see big improvements in my knowledge and playing.

Aaron Lovejoy

I feel much more knowledgeable because I have the ability to break down a piece of music and determine not just the different chords but the different progressions and sections. In turn this gives more confidence.

Elliott

Definitely more knowledgeable and confident. When I first started bass I could come up with bass lines but without understanding why I thought it sounded cool and I couldn’t imitate that sound throughout the rest of the song. I’ve learnt an understanding of music and how certain sounds are made through different chords and intervals. I now know what to do with my bass and can communicate with other musicians.

Carl

In the beginning I didn’t know how to hold the guitar and in a short time I’ve learnt most notes on the neck, some scales and their use, many chords, and am now learning to feel the rhythm and put it into practice.  My confidence in what I’m playing has increased ten fold and is growing week by week.

Stephen

My confidence has doubled after my lessons with Derek, as I have stated in other answers the knowledge that I have been given has made picking up the guitar easier and more enjoyable.

Lisa Brown