“Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.”
– Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1998)
I like to construct an attitude geared towards improvement through productive practising. My job is sort of to make it so you don’t need me any more, and can even teach yourself. More than anything I’d like for my students to love music as much as I do, as in my view it is one of the highest forms of self-expression. Whether it’s classical or pop or jazz, music can bring us together, make us sing, dance, or cry. There’s something about it that makes me so, so happy.
I prefer to have a friendly atmosphere in my lessons, and I can be very patient with people. It absolutely does not bother me to wait for you to figure something out, or for something not to be immediately perfect. Learning takes time.
The main points I try to reinforce are the following:
- Practise often, not long. Most of your learning is done during sleep, after practice. Doing five minutes every day is ten times better than a single one-hour session every week.
- Use a metronome, and play things a little slower than you think you need to. Wielded effectively, metronomes are basically magical devices that make you better at everything.
- Frustration is a normal and healthy part of learning. You shouldn’t over-indulge in it, nor should you avoid it completely. Striking a balance between the two is the key to greatness, and it is a personal and psychological journey that everybody has to deal with. I’m here to help you along that winding path in whatever ways I can.
I’ll help you to build your confidence in your playing so that you can perform in any environment you’d like. If that sounds interesting, why not try a lesson? I offer the first one for free!
Sometimes you just need a way to let it all out. Some people buy stress balls, and some people buy a violin. Hopefully for different reasons…
Services:
Violin
As my primary instrument and the one I’ve been playing the longest, I can teach violin to any level. Folk, jazz, classical, you name it. I’m a very capable improviser and I’m constantly theorising and harmonising in my head, and I like to compose regularly.
Guitar
Everybody knows someone who plays guitar. Its strength lies in the supportive role of providing both harmonic and rhythmic structure to music in one, while being very portable and intuitive to play. It can also be a very strong lead instrument, especially in the electric guitar. If you’re interested in the basics of gypsy jazz I can help with that too.
Piano
I’ve been playing piano since I was very young. There are so many beautiful pieces you can learn for solo piano, but the keys can also play a supportive role in an ensemble. Piano is one of the most versatile instruments (if only because of the range in pitch), and as a first instrument makes for a very wholistic understanding of music.
Viola
If you’re thinking of learning to play the violin, why not consider the viola instead? It’s easier to get work professionally as a viola player and it is simply so beautiful. In my opinion violas are more like a small, portable cello than a bigger violin, at least in how it sounds.
Other
I can also provide more general instruction for, well, any instrument (including voice) on theory, improvisation and composition. I spend a lot of time thinking about music, so any occasion to share my thoughts is very welcome, especially if it might help you achieve something you didn’t think you were capable of. Music rocks!!
Some testimonials:
Rowan is such a friendly, patient and approachable person who is passionate about learning and makes for an excellent tutor.
– Teresa
Rowan is very patient, kind and down to earth. He has such a passion for music and a very inspiring teaching style. I’ve just had my first lesson and am very excited for the next!
– Sam
A brief demonstration
Every other Wednesday I go to the open mic at the Court House in Caerphilly. Here are some of my compositions, consider them as my credentials if you’d like.
I wrote this song upon reflection of my life in the last ten or so years. It could do well with a lead instrument playing in the sections between the vocals
Here is a piece I wrote ‘The Bells of Ponty’ followed up with an improvised fiddle tune, then one of my favourites: ‘Catharsis’ by Amy Cann.
Mathemusicians 