CONTENTS
'The guitar is a small orchestra. It is polyphonic. Every string is a different color, a different voice.'
– Andrés Segovia
'If you're going to sweep the floor, sweep it better than anybody in town. And if you're going to play the guitar, really, really, really get into it, and don't be jivin'.'
– Carlos Santana
'The guitar teachers at Waltons School of Music are brilliant. I would recommend them to anyone. Shame the term is over.'
– C. Kinsella
'[I have] a very supportive and talented teacher. He always goes above and beyond his role as a teacher, and I consider myself very lucky to have found someone with such a unique gift.'
– O. Martin
'Anyone can learn the guitar. All you need is a willingness to learn and a professional teacher from Waltons New School of Music.'
– S. Collins
'A very supportive and inspiring teacher.'
– O. Martin
'Great tunes. Excellent teacher. Very enjoyable!'
– D. Scott
'I have the best teacher in the world!'
– S. Killeen
Have you taken – or are you taking – guitar or bass lessons/courses at the school? We would appreciate your feedback!
Private, Partner & Group Lessons
Reflecting the diversity of the modern guitar, the New School offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in:
- Acoustic Guitar (blues, fingerstyle, song accompaniment, Irish traditional, etc)
- Classical Guitar
- Electric Guitar (various styles)
- Jazz Guitar
- Spanish & Flamenco Guitar
- Electric Bass
- Jazz Bass
Students of classical, jazz and popular guitar and bass styles may also choose to take grade exams from a range of examining boards. Guitar and bass tuition can also include preparation for Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award. Electric guitar and bass tuition can also include instruction in guitar effects and technology. All of our guitar teachers are also active performers, both live and recorded.
Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available for any guitar style.
Go to Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and group lessons, and Enrolment & Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.
Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students can join three of our most popular foundation courses:
Group Courses for Intermediate-Advanced Students
Our five 'Basics' courses for guitar are intensive introductions to the styles for players with some previous experience:
We also offer occasional One-Off Workshops in guitar styles and techniques.
Ensembles & Sessions
Guitar and bass students may also be interested in joining one of the school’s Jazz Ensembles. We also run monthly Bluegrass Slow Jams and Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players, on Friday evenings at the school.
Friday Casual Concerts
The New School’s Friday Casual Concerts are a great opportunity for students of all instruments (and all musical styles) to play in public, in a relaxed and supportive setting, before friends, family and other students. These brief concerts, which take place once a month on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm in the school, allow individual students and ensembles to perform in public, show off their skills and learn how to cope with nerves. They are also highly recommended for students preparing for grade exams.
Theory, Musicianship & Songwriting
Beginning guitar and bass students should also consider taking Music Fundamentals, designed to supplement private tuition with the basics of music theory. Our Songwriting Workshop will help you to develop your creative ideas – in any musical style – and turn them into finished songs. Jazz Improvisation Basics, intended for guitar and bass students with at least one year’s playing experience, is an ideal introduction to improvised music making and is strongly recommended for students intending to take – or while taking – Jazz Ensemble I or II.
Recommended Instruments & Payment Plans
In association with Waltons music shops, we have selected several recommended instruments for guitar and bass students at the New School. Because the cost of instruments shouldn’t deter students from starting lessons, we have also created payment plans for instruments priced €150 or more that allow students to purchase beginners' instruments or upgrade their existing instruments without a large financial outlay. Payment plans consist of an initial deposit and six monthly payments made by post-dated cheques or credit/Laser card payments. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.
The Gibson Epiphone Guitar Prize
At the end of each school year, a Gibson Epiphone acoustic or electric guitar (valued at approximately €500) will be awarded to the most promising student of classical, acoustic, traditional, electric or jazz guitar at Waltons New School of Music. Go to Scholarships & Prizes for more information.
Faculty
Michael Behan (acoustic / classical / electric / jazz guitar)
Peter Erdei (electric bass, jazz bass)
Miguelangel Lejarza (classical / Spanish / flamenco guitar, Flamenco Guitar Basics course)
Fran Long (acoustic / electric / classical guitar, electric bass, Introducing Guitar for Adults/Children and
Electric Blues Guitar Basics courses)
Harry Long (traditional guitar)
Michael McInerney (acoustic guitar, Acoustic Blues Guitar and Fingerstyle Guitar Basics courses)
David Mooney (electric bass, jazz bass, acoustic / electric guitar)
Eoin Mulvany (classical / acoustic guitar)
Kevin O'Hare (traditional guitar)
Mark Sisk (acoustic / electric / jazz guitar, Introducing Guitar for Adults course)
John Sweeney (acoustic / electric / traditional guitar, Introducing Guitar for Adults and Trad Guitar Basics
courses)
Brian Tavey (classical / acoustic / electric guitar)
Located in Dublin city centre, Waltons New School of Music is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. The New School offers tuition in the broadest range of instruments and subjects of any music school in Ireland, for students of all ages, levels and abilities.
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