Guitar
Rob Joass
Tutor: Rob Joass
I have been a professional musician most of my adult life, and have performed in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and all over NZ. I have released 10 albums, both solo and with various bands, and have been a finalist at the NZ music awards three times. I have also worked as a recording engineer and producer. I love writing songs and am happy to incorporate songwriting into my lessons if that is appropriate.
I try to approach teaching guitar in a way that makes playing fun for my students, rather than another chore. To that end, I will always ask my students about the music that they enjoy and will try to incorporate that into our lessons. My main focus is Contemporary music from the 50’s to now, but I will usually incorporate other styles including classical, jazz, folk, country, etc., as we go on. If a student is interested in graded exams, I use and recommend the Trinity/Guildhall series, and I also have a very successful record of preparing students for NCEA performance.
I have been teaching at Scots for nearly 20 years now, as well as 25 years at Wellesley College, and 6 at Queen Margaret’s. I also teach privately at my boat shed on Porirua Harbour.
If a student is interested in graded exams, I use and recommend the Trinity/Guilldhall series.
Genre
Contemporary, Rock/Pop
Offer external exam prep?
Yes
Teach notation reading?
TAB only, but music notation will be introduced and explained.
Your teaching day/s
Tuesday and Thursday, during school hours
Which year levels do you teach?
Junior (5-6), Middle (7-10), Senior (11-13)
Hamish Graham
Tutor: Hamish Graham
Qualifications
B.Mus (Victoria University)
Many, many years of playing and performing here and abroad. I have taught for the last 8 years (3 at Scots).
Teaching Approach
No two students are the same, so I like to have a range of options for when I am teaching. For example, I will ask what the student likes to listen to and where possible, and I will try to incorporate it into the learning while also exposing them to other styles. From classical to metal, to old and new, solo or ensemble, there is valuable learning to be had. Also, some like to sight read more than others, and while I do teach and encourage the written language of music (which is all sight reading is), particularly for my bass students, on guitar I don’t insist on it. Some like to sing and strum, some like to pick out melodies.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of the instrument, the music produced, and the process involved in making it is a big part of what I want the student to experience and what makes it worthwhile for them.
Genre:
Contemporary, Rock/Pop, Aspects of Musical Theatre and Jazz
Offer external exam prep?
Yes
Teach notation reading?
Yes and TAB
Your teaching day/s:
During School hours: Mondays, Tuesdays
After School: Mondays
Which year levels do you teach?
Junior (2-6), Middle (7-10), Senior (11-13)