The profile of Ridgestone and their contact details have been verified by our experts
Ridgestone
- Hourly rate £30
- Response Time 23h
- Number of students 6
£30/hr
Contact
1st lesson free
- Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar
- Electric guitar
- Bass guitar
- Classical Guitar
- Ukulele
- Mandolin
- Banjo
Guitar Tutor & Fine Artist 20 years + experience. Tutoring in the County of Kent
Lesson location
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At Ridgestone's house: Rochester
- Online
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at your home or in a public place : will travel up to 20 km from Rochester
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About Ridgestone
21 years time served in Guitar and other instrument tuition.
- What kind of experience do you have?
30 years guitar playing experience, 16 years in traveling the county as a guitar teacher. Have performed at Lordswood and Swingate Schools in Chatham; Moore or Less and White Horse folk clubs in Rainham; Horniman's Museum Dulwich; Equinox Charity Rochester; Parkwood Nursery Rainham; Walderslade Rest Home; Radio Kent; Worked for and performed at Gillingham Borough Council's (Now Part of Medway Council) community arts organizations Spiral Arts for 2 years. I've been playing guitar for decades and am a dedicated musician
- Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate?
YES
- Where and with whom did you train?
Classically Home Tutored Piano
- Do you belong to any professional organisations?
Formally the Myguitarlessons Franchise, The National Harmonica League, RGT, Musicians Union. Currently registered with First Tutors UK & (concealed information)
- Tell me about some of your current students.
During the Covid19 situation safeguarding measures will be in place during sessions, and students will need to wear a face mask . . . All of my Pupils during the pandemic so far have been on SKYPE: The number of of pupils has been greatly reduced due to Covid19
My students have come from a variety of backgrounds who wish to learn the guitar and other fretted stringed instruments such as Banjo Mandolin, Ukulele, Balalaika. Harmonica has also been taught and music theory. The majority of students have had their lessons at their home address and on occasions they have come to my home address.
Testimonial 1- "We are very pleased with the guitar lessons John is providing our 11 year old daughter with. Not only is he knowledgeable and passionate about his music, he also shows great versatility when encouraging my daughter to learn songs of her own choice. He is very accommodating of our queries and thoughts as parents, and will always take time to answer our questions.
John has the patience required to teach all levels and has been tremendous support in keeping my daughter motivated. He is extremely reliable, which I feel is key to maintaining progression.â€
Louise; Kent
Testimonial 2: John has tutored my 12 year old daughter in Guitar for the last 3 years. I would not have anybody else. He puts a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge into his teaching and often gets carried away so is never clock watching which I have experienced with other teachers. Emily is a particularly difficult student who can get bored easily especially if what she is doing is repetitive and she feels she has already learnt it or is not learning from the session. John is excellent at moving her on and teaching her the same thing in a different way so that she doesn't get bored with it. She usually can't wait for her lessons and does practice, however John is not a hard task master and does not expect heavy amounts of homework done on top of other commitments. He does encourage her to play all the time and as my daughter is quite creative she has been inspired by John to make up some songs and try other instruments which she is doing through school. John always comes prepared to the lesson and my daughter has been able to play different guitars and understand the difference between them, playing many different styles of music with in their lessons. Also on a more practical note I get all of this and a happy daughter for a very reasonable price and think it is well worth what I pay.
Cheryl; Kent
Testimonial 3: John is a very patient and enthusiastic guitar/mandolin teacher which is good because I'm a novice musician and my playing probably hurts his ears. He has taken on board my inspirations and musical preferences and he prepares appropriate pieces of music for us to try out in our lessons. I would gladly recommend John to anyone.
Monica: Essex
- What kind of experience do you have?
Free Lance Guitar Tutor for 20 years
Freelance Tutoring Guitar & Other instruments on a One to One basis to date
Ran After School Art Club @ a Primary School in Gravesend on a Freelance Basis
Freelance Guitar Tutored to Selected Pupils @ a Community School in Ashford for 1 year
Worked as a Beanstalk Reading Volunteer 2 months
Floor Spot Guitarist/Mandolin Player & Singer/Song Writer Folk@ the Oast Rainham Kent 2 years
Community Arts Worker Spiral Arts Gillingham 2 years
Art Education 3 years
- Do you have an up-to-date DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB) Certificate?
Enhanced Full Disclosure D.B.S. Certificate issued November 2015 by Beanstalk
- Where and with whom did you train?
Home tutored on Classical Piano as a Child
Self taught on Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Ukulele and Harmonica
Practical training in Community Arts/music Spiral Arts Gillingham's Community Arts Project
Picked up Tricks of the Trade whilst a Floor Spot Guitarist @ Folk at the Oast
- Do you belong to any professional organisations?
Musicians Union
Myguitarlessons.co.uk
(concealed information) (John Beckett)
- Tell me about some of your current students.
Mick: Taxi Driver: Learning Acoustic Guitar @ my Home
Harry: Occupation not known: Learning Electric Guitar @ my Home
Steve: Retired Police Officer: Learning Diatonic Harmonica: Ditton
Shaun; Occupation not known) Learning Diatonic Harmonic: Swanscombe
Thomas: Lorry Driver from Latvia: Learning Acoustic Guitar @ my Home
Jason: Retired: Learning Ukulele @ my Home
Paul: Occupation not known: Learning Acoustic Guitar Leybourne
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About the lesson
- 4th year
- Graduate
- Doctorate
levels :
4th year
Graduate
Doctorate
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
During the Covid19 situation safeguarding measures will be in place during sessions, and students will need to wear a face mask . . . you may wish to opt for SKYPE
After the first lesson which I give free of charge, the aim is for student to progresses from the basics such as Open Chords to more advancement, such as Finger Picking, gaining the ability to memorize the notes on the fretboard, applying techniques such as Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs (Legato), Slides, Bends, Palm Muting (Pizzicato), then on to scales such as the Diatonic Scale, Blues Scale, Dorian Scale and Improvisation.
I would also like to introduce to the student alternative tunings which can expand the playing experience and enjoyment. This is all done at the pace of the student and of course always to the student's preferences.
With the Harmonica a similar approach is used of course instead of strings we are using breath and small brass reeds. Choose me as your tutor, I believe you will not be disappointed.
- Which subject(s) do you teach?
Guitar (Electric - Acoustic - Classical - 12 string - Slide - Base) - Mandolin & Mandola - Banjo 4 & 5 String - Ukulele -Techniques include..... Legato (Hammer on and Pull Off) - Vibrato - Tremelo - Harmonics - Pizzicato (Palm Muting) - String Bending - Glissando (Slide) Alternate Picking - Hybrid Picking - Blugrass - Frayling
Harmonica (Diatonic/Blues/Country/Folk.)Techniques include 1st position, major key - cross harp 2nd position, blues key - 3rd Position Dorian minor key - Note Bending - Vibrato - Tremeolo - Pizzicato
Theory. Scales Major, Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Blues, the 7 modal scales - Chord Progression - Circle of 4th and 5ths - Improvistion - Music Reading
- Tell me about your qualifications.
Originally classicaly trained piano as a child in the 1960s. From the age of 16 I chose to devote my musical energies to the guitar. Teaching myself I used my existing knowledge that I had gained in learning the piano to good effect and was a regualr player. For 2 years in the 1990s I was a guitarist/musician at the Spiral Arts Community Arts Centre and Folk at the Oast in Rainham. The Mandolin, Banjo, Ukelele and Harmonica have been added to my repertoire of teaching since 1992
- How much do you charge?
£15 Trial lesson for 20 minutes: £20 for half hour lesson: £20 for Skype Lesson: £30 for hour lesson: £40 for hour and half lesson:
£250 for a series of 10 lessons (1 hour each)
- Where do you teach?
At Students' homes or at my own home. From Rochester in Kent II have travelled the County to conduct lessons in the Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Canterbury, Ashford, Herne Bay, Faversham, Dover, Maidsone, Harrietsham, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Crowborogh, Wouldham, Larkfiled, Aylesford, Addington, Halstead, Riverhead, Orpington, Greenhithe, Meopham, Higham, Gravesend, Northfleet, Chalk, Isle of Grain: I can travel anywhere in the county to conduct the lessons. Skype lessons welcome (useful for pupils who live outside the Countu of Kent)
- When are you available?
7 days per week by appointment (times mutually agreed)
- Which ages and levels do you teach?
Children/Young People 10 yrs. to 19 yrs.: Grown ups 20yrs to 70yrs and beyond.
Acoustic Guitar Beginners to Advanced level
Electric Guitar Beginner to Advanced level
Base Guitar Beginner to Intermediate Level
Slide Guitar Beginner to Intermediate Level
Mandolin Beginners to Advanced level
Mandola Beginner to Advanced Level
Ukulele Beginner to Advanced Level
Harmonica Beginner to Intermediate Level
Flagolet Beginner
Pan Pipe Beginner
Jaws Harp Beginner
- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I prepare students for those that require it the necessary exercises but concentrate on pupils playing abilities and enjoyment. Should specific examination be required, I would refer to a tutor who would specialise in that field.
- Describe your arrangements for online tutoring.
Skype or Google Plus Lessons
- Do you have a personal message for students?
Whatever stringed/fretted instrument you have, be it a Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo or Ukulele, whether you play classical, rock, Folk, the blues or 60s music, you will find enjoyable lessons presented. No minimum lesson requirement, you the pupil can have as many or as few lessons as required, perhaps for a “One Off†lesson to inspire confidence and go it alone or, as a trial lesson to assess suitability, or, a long term series of lessons in which we can explore the more advanced styles and techniques of playing. Typically a beginner's lesson would deal with correct instrument positioning to optimize maximum comfort, ensuring correct instrument “set up/gauge†for ease of playing, learning basic/First Position Chords, Modal and Pentatonic Scales (that can be used for improvisation), Music Theory (made understandable), Techniques that individually suit, Fretboard Navigation, and of course learning Favorite songs, Instrumental pieces, Riffs and Licks.
Hi I'm John a dedicated Musician and I welcome new Students to come on board. Lesson Slot are available for Evenings, Weekends, and Day Times.
Tuition is either Pupil Home Based or Tutor Based. Easy access from the M20 M2 A20 A2; Ample Parking
- Which subject(s) do you teach?
Guitar: (Electric - Acoustic - Classical - 12 String & Slide)
Mandolin (Mandola - Octave Mandolin
Banjo: (Blue Grass)
Ukulele
Harmonica (Diatonic)
Dulcimer (Appalachian and Stick)
- Tell me about your qualifications.
None academic
Channel Awareness Module Certification
Safeguarding Children e - Academy CPD Certification
obtained whilst teaching Guitar at the Ashford Oaks Community School
A level Art Grade B
- How much do you charge?
One to One Lesson @ my home @ £25. Per Hour
One to One Lesson @ Student's Home @ £30. Per Hour
Book a Minimum of 10 lessons @ @ £25 per hour (to be paid for in advance)
Group/Schools Lessons @ £35 Per Hour
Group/Schools Lesson Book a Minimum of 10 Lessons @ £30 Per Hour (to be paid for in advance)
One to One Child Lessons @ £15 Per Half Hour
Half Hour Lesson @ £20.
- Where do you teach?
Teach @ my Home or travel anywhere in Kent & South East London (Details on request)
- When are you available?
I work on a flextime basis and endeavor to work around the preference of the Pupil, there are no seasonal variations (Details on Request)
- Which ages and levels do you teach?
I teach all ages from beginners to improvers. I also teach certain aspects of advanced or specialist playing
- Which qualifications do you prepare your students for?
I greatly appreciate and respect the grading system. Although I can work up to equivalent of grade 4 I prefer to teach "From The Heart" as it were. This I believe leads to a natural and spontaneous form of playing and the Student I believe will enjoy this method
- Do you have a personal message for students?
Having been a Guitar Tutor 20 years ago & adding other instruments to my tutoring over the years to reach out to a wider public, I teach all ages & abilities @ all social levels. My Students have been School Children, 4 Builders, 1 Lorry Driver, 3 Police Constables, 2 Detective Constables, 2 Firemen, a Psychiatrist, an Accident & Emergency Doctor, 1 Taxi Driver, 1 Guitar Teacher, 1 Classical Violinist & many more. I provide Easily understood lessons & allow my pupils to to at their own pace
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Review
All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by the students of Ridgestone.
5 (6 reviews)
Perfect! Lovely lesson with my 4 year old. Patient and calm, Ridgestone took into account her capacities and made it such an enjoyable experience. She’s looking forward to her next lesson!
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Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
5
I decided to learn to play a musical instrument to help keep my mind active as I approached retirement and beyond. It is also a skill that I greatly admire in others. I have no hesitation in recommending John as a tutor.
John is a first class guitar and piano teacher with many great references to back up his achievements. My Guitar Lessons and My Keyboard Lessons would certainly advise anyone looking for lessons should pay John a visit.
“John tutored my 12 year old daughter in Guitar for 3 & ½ years. I would not have had anybody else. I got all of this and a happy daughter for a very reasonable price and think it is well worth what I paid.
“We were very pleased with the guitar lessons John provided our 11 year old daughter with. He was extremely reliable, which I feel is key to maintaining progression.”
“John was a very patient and enthusiastic guitar/mandolin teacher which was good because I was a novice musician and my playing probably hurt his ears. I would gladly recommend John to anyone.”
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Rates
Hourly rate
- £30
Pack prices
- 5h: £125
- 10h: £20
online
- £30/h
free lessons
The first free lesson with Ridgestone will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
Details
Tutoring @ my home is £25 per hour
Tutoring at the Student's home is £30 per hour.
First lesson is of course free, a contribution to the travel costs would be appreciated if I am to travel to you.
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