Guitar & Bass
Ukulele
Music Theory
Musical Director / Conductor
Songwriting / Composition
Digital Music
Music Production
One to One teaching
Small / medium Group Tuition
Whole Class tuition (Primary)
Large group / ensemble tuition
Remote / distance tuition
Informal workshops
Performance opportunities
Masterclasses
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
Tasters
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You can email James Ladd at jamesladd1@icloud.com or use the options below.
Email James Ladd Phone 07868754197James Ladd
About
Hi, I have been teaching guitar for over 20 years now and playing for almost 30. I have a degree in Music (BaHons) specialising in composition from Dartington College af Arts. I started teaching in schools in 2003 after leaving university and have taught classical, pop, blues, flamenco and jazz to pupils ranging from 4 years old to 60. I love working on the creative aspects of music, encouraging improvisation and composition. I believe a focus on learning good technique at the beginning of tuition is essential and I like pupils to understand music theory and how it applies to all aspects of their musical endeavours.
What I / we help young people achieve
Learning a musical instrument has been proven to boost self esteem and confidence, it promotes collaboration and friendships and it improves dexterity and complex thinking. I have seen many students come out of their shell simply by having a shared interest with people they wouldn't have met otherwise, I have had many thank you cards invariably from teenagers expressing thanks for giving them a creative outlet for their emotions and a medium to immerse themselves in that is just for them. Learning an instrument is a beautiful thing to do and installing a love and passion for music is my ultimate goal.
Opportunities for children & young people
- To learn to play an instrument and / or develop skills on an instrument
- To learn to sing
- To create / write music and / or lyrics
- To develop recording /production skills
- To play, perform music with others
- To learn things about oneself , other subjects or life-skills through musical activity
- To work with and support other young musicians
- To develop their wellbeing
Times
- Term Time
- After School
- School Holidays
- Project based
- Seasonal
- Drop in
Working with special needs
I have worked with a number of pupils with autism and aspergers syndrome and enjoyed the challenge of having to approach my teaching in a variety of ways to find their particular learning style.
Taught Instruments
- Guitar & Bass
- Ukulele
- Music Theory
- Musical Director / Conductor
- Songwriting / Composition
- Digital Music
- Music Production
Ages Taught
- 4 and under
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Level Taught
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Tasters
Qualifications, Grades & Certificates Taught
- Instrument grades
- Rockschool
- Arts Award
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
Musical Clusters Covered
- Chippenham
- B-on-A / Corsham
- Calne & Melksham
- Trowbridge (CSL)
- Salisbury / Wilton
- Marlborough & Pewsey
- Downton
- Malmesbury / WB / Purton
- Amesbury
- Devizes
- Warminster
- Westbury
- Mere & Tisbury
- Tidworth
Endorsements
This was in a card from one of my GCSE pupils at Blaise High School Bristol –
“Since secondary school I always thought I was pretty decent at guitar but now when I play old songs I realise how much I have improved since, which i think is down to you and probably my practice at times. Your patience is astounding and your love for playing I think spread to me because i never feel like practicing is a chore. I hope i never stop and forget how to play because at times it’s the only thing i want to do if I’m feeling down.” Leyla L
A thank you card from a parent at Blaise High School –
“Dear Mr Ladd, Thank you for being Maria’s guitar teacher through Blaise High School. She always enjoys her lessons and that is the key to good teaching. Thank you for finding pieces she would enjoy, putting notes on staves when she played you a song she likes. She values carrying on with the guitar and appreciated not being pushed into performing or exams but allowed to find her interest in these in her own time. For giving her a good experience playing together in a relaxed atmosphere I thank you.”
“Lucy (Maria’s mum.)”
My Training & Development
As a musician I find I am always learning, I constantly study and transcribe jazz solos and love looking in depth into the theory of jazz. I have recently been looking into axis theory and Slonimsky’s use of mathematically derived scales. This is obviously quite niche though so I also keep up to date with popular music to keep my lessons relevant and interesting to my pupils. I look forward to the opportunity of increasing my access to CPD in the future through this application process.