Echoes of Flavio's Ghost Dreaming

Finally getting some guitar lesson enquiries. My little homebrew theory about people deciding to take up these things when the weather changes in May may have something to it -the weather didn't really change that much for much of May, only did just now.

I need more money coming in. If you hear of somebody wanting guitar lessons (or needing guitar playing for their wedding ceremony or something like that) please put them my way....

Yesterday brought a couple of lessons and helping a mature student buy a guitar. This took only about 20% of the time I anticipated; we went to the London Guitar Studio, Steffi asked my pupil what sort of budget he had, he mentioned a figure, she produced three or four guitars in that range, he liked the second one he tried and that was that. I was expecting to spend half the afternoon pondering about the different tone, action and feel of the different guitars. Only had two lessons yesterday (itself not that good a thing, I should be much busier this time of year). One was a lad doing so-called 'acoustic' guitar. He's a Beatles' fan and we have been doing Blackbird, Walrus and a couple of RCHP things (yes, that one..). The other lesson is a young professional lady about to do a grade 3 and doing very well in spite of busy busy life. Very different and satisfying lessons in very different ways.

Also, I have dates for my pupils' ABRSM grade exams for this season. This is good: they gave me late dates so I have a little more time to make sure they're ready on the bits nobody ever wants to do. You know which ones: scales, sight-reading, aural comprehension. I have another Grade 8 this term, the aural test can be a bit of a nightmare and there are bits of it that, with my goldfish memory, I'm not sure I myself would pass without some training. All good, though.
Tags: guitar lessons, music, these music lessons...

Only had two pupils for ABRSM Theory of Music Grade 5 this term, got the results today. One I was a little bit worried about: they passed ok. The other one was a very high Distinction. This work is rewarding in ways other than money. Just as well, mind you...

Morning nice and calm -the day will be quite hectic later; five lessons here (at least they're here at home) and four adult pupils taking ABRSM guitar grade exams today, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 7 -I want to be there at the examination centre with them for at least a little while.

Before all that, coffee...

Early rise. Train. Not enough coffee. Portable printer (ancient BJC-55) on the blink, which will bring some problems. In ancient times I only needed a guitar, pencil n paper for those guitar lessons... of course, my current setup gives me more flexibility, the ability to re-use comments and technical notes and to keep a copy of my comments, but when it (rarely, though)breaks...

Always good to have a new pupil who is awake, interested and interesting. Now I only need perhaps ten more like this one.

In the meantime, have to go to Watford for a lesson there and, tonight, Wrecked, the goth party on a boat on the Thames, which should be good!

 In my teaching room at Watford Grammar, again. It sometimes feels like life is a hamster's wheel or a merry-go-round, you find yourself again and again facing the world from the same corner. Read through  a couple of Bach lute pieces to remind myself how I got into this and why I do it, rather than any of various other things that could bring in more money. 

In the last ten minutes I've received notice of cancellation of five lessons for later this week. This is not good.. I'm still quite busy and one always allows for a certain percentage of cancellations, but all of these in one go is a bit much.

Last but not least! Happy Birthday to giggly_teapot  and, slightly belatedly,  aka_toothbrush  and  dr_yen  (although I don't think either of the latter checks their LJ much these days).