Gareth Balch
RH6, Horley
(3)
RH6, Horley
(3)
I am a classical guitar performer and teacher. As well as being keen to help beginners, I take up to advanced level on the guitar. Whatever style you ultimately want to play, or if you are looking to write and sing, classical guitar is the tried and tested way to learn to read music properly and to learn technique well.
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3 customer reviews
Jonny Gifford
Guitar Lessons
2 lessons in and I couldn't be more glad to have found Gareth. Lessons are very well tailored to my needs (starting to read music, playing Latin guitar) and Gareth's huge expertise and high level of music education really shine through.
Louise taw
Guitar Lessons
Very friendly and knowledgeable.
Collette napolitano
Guitar Lessons
He understood what I wanted for my nephew and that was great.
What do you love most about your job?
I love seeing and hearing beginners playing and reading music successfully within the first year. It is so satisfying as guitar music at beginner level is varied and interesting. With beginners it is seeing how the hands “ wake up” unused muscles, then also seeing the brain develop reading and playing skills, often in duets with me, and finally the soul smile as a lovely piece is achieved.
Everyone has their instrument, their “ souls voice.” Find it and you have a lifelong companion through good and bad. It’s the finding that is hard; you need the right guide, and you need to avoid choosing an instrument because it’s a “good idea” to learn it. There’s one out there - it may be the tuba- that makes your heart cry with joy. That’s your soul instrument, and if it’s guitar there is no greater task than guiding you on your journey.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Just the confidence I got from other people around me who encouraged me to play and teach. And slowly learning that I’m a good teacher !
Why should our clients choose you?
I can only say, you know when you have found the right teacher! It may bot be me, so look around and ask for a trial lesson. I choose pupils very carefully after meeting up first.I am very patient, and experience counts here- I know the guitar repertoire well and have always been able to get people on the right path.
Not taking too many pupils, and performing, gives me credibility. I care about them!
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes- I do remote lessons, mainly to support one to one lessons when my client cannot make it face to face.
The problem is the poor quality of some remote services- Discord is the best audio I have found.
It has taken time to learn how to conduct online lessons well- it's mainly down to the teacher planning things and giving feedback differently. Nothing however can replace real time interaction and sound. Duet playing - which I like to use in lessons alongside solo pieces and technical exercises- is impossible. Remote lessons do not really help to develop tone and the feel of the instrument, and posture can be hard to correct properly. It’s a back up, not in my view easy or viable unless there’s no alternative!
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
During covid I made sure of safe distancing within the teaching room, and used Zoom and Discord or Skype for lessons. I have continued with this. If there are any symptoms then I do remote online lessons.
Performances
I perform for dinners, weddings, receptions and corporate events. Programmes include Latin American and classical Jazz styles, as well as early music.
I play the lute, the renaissance guitar, the vihuela and the citole. My performances have included the Canterbury Medieval Day, Canterbury Festival , and English Heritage days.
