Matt Helm

I have been playing guitar for 17 years, ever since my Dad unexpectedly presented me with an acoustic guitar one Christmas. I’ve never looked back, and in the intervening years I’ve also picked up bass, drums and piano. In 2002 during my summer holidays from University I attended a 10 week full time course at the Guitar Institute in London.

I have played with a number of bands throughout my musical career. I am currently actively involved in two bands and we have been fortunate enough to play to audiences across the UK and in Europe, with gigs in Germany, Austria, Portugal, Italy and Norway. I have also played in Musical Theatre productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame and Footloose. In 2012 I decided to leave my job as a manager at an East Midlands Building Society to concentrate full time on teaching and playing music in London.

I hold the following music related qualifications:
Guitar Grade 8 with Merit (Rockschool)
Music Theory Grade 5 with Distinction (ABRSM)
Drum Kit Grade 5 (Trinity Guildhall)
Piano Grade 4 (ABRSM)

Styles - I teach acoustic and electric guitar, covering rock, pop, indie, blues, soul, funk, metal and folk. However, more importantly than any specific style, I teach how to approach, practice and learn music in general. These disciplines can be applied to any style.

Level - I am very happy teaching any age and level of student from complete beginners to experienced players.

Price
30 minute lesson – £15
60 minute lesson – £30

Location - I teach from my home in Hampton Wick (KT1), which is a minute from Hampton Wick train station and convenient to get to from Teddington, Twickenham, Kingston, Surbiton, Richmond and the surrounding areas.

Exams - I can support students working towards grade exams if required. However, this is not obligatory and it is entirely possible to become an excellent guitarist without taking grades. The grade boards I’m most familiar with are Rockschool and Trinity Rock & Pop.

Frequency - Lessons can be booked regularly or on an ad-hoc basis. However, I strongly recommend regular lessons for the best possible progress, ideally weekly. Fortnightly may be enough for 60 minutes lessons, as long as you are motivated and disciplined enough to practice regularly between lessons.

I am CRB / DBS checked.