Teaching
Music
Bobby is an experienced brass and music theory teacher, teaching a wide range of ages from 4 years old to 70+.
They are able to offer lessons in voice, music theory and brass instruments including tuba, trombone, bass trombone, baritone horn, euphonium, tenor horn, cornet, trumpet, flugal horn and more.
Bobby's teaching approach is all about student focus, working on music and styles that are going to keep the student motivated to practice and keep on going. If you would like to do grades then they are happy to focus on this, however they are also happy to focus on other interests, take breaks from exams, or not do them at all if the student doesn't want to take that approach. Bobby's lessons also integrate music theory, asking lots of questions to reinforce learning, giving plenty of praise, and using play and unique homework tasks to help the student get the most out of lessons.
A typical first lesson with Bobby will include getting to know a little about you and your motivations for learning. Learning your motivations will help to plan an approach to your learning and help get the best out of your lessons. They will then do a little warm up to see what level you may be at. If you're a complete beginner they will go through some initial exercises to get you a taste of your instrument or voice. For brass learners this will including learning how to buzz on the mouthpiece, and if successful moving onto the instrument to start playing initial notes. For singers, this will include see what your strengths are in your voice and identifying areas to start focussing on. For musical theory students, this will be some initial discussions to see what level and experience you have, before moving onto some appropriate learning for your level, as well as suggesting books to get.
Experience
Bobby was a full time whole-class peripatetic teacher for 2 years, teaching whole classroom brass, violin, ukulele, guitar, voice and djembe as well as running music service ensembles.
Bobby also has experience leading music workshops. They worked for two years with Readipop Urban Orchestra, going into schools and colleges and leading workshops to recruit members for each project, leading rehearsals and guided young people to create their own piece of music based on narrative and key words, and then performing this at major venues in Reading and Berkshire, including The Curve in Reading.
They also worked for London Chamber Orchestra's Music Junction, spending a year going into secondary schools and leading rehearsals/workshopping music ready for joint performances with LCO across Berkshire, East London and Kent.
Bobby was also a brass and music theory teacher at Young Music Makers, where they had been teaching for 6 years, and a private brass and music theory teacher. They are able to teach graded music theory, graded brass/voice lessons, GCSE Music, A-Level Music, or even just learning for fun.
Most of Bob's private teaching is done online via zoom, however in-person lessons are also available. Get in touch for more information.