Play with control.
Build a comfortable playing position, coordinated movement, a clear sound and a steady pulse. Your child learns how to practise thoughtfully and use technique to give their musical ideas a voice.
Children’s Classical Guitar Tuition
A skill that grows with them.
Patient, one-to-one classical guitar lessons that nurture your child’s curiosity, develop their abilities and help them work towards musical goals that matter to them.
Through music they enjoy, we build technique, understanding and expression together. Each step gives your child more ways to explore the guitar and the encouragement to discover what they can do.
Becoming more than just a guitarist
We nurture well-rounded guitarists: children who can listen closely, understand the music they play and express something of their own. Technique, reading, musical ideas and creativity grow together, with each new piece deepening the skills behind the playing.
Our aim is a love and understanding of music through the guitar that can last a lifetime. As your child grows, they gain the tools to explore unfamiliar music, make thoughtful choices and enjoy learning with increasing independence.
Understand the music.
Connect listening and notation with rhythm, melody, harmony and the fingerboard. Recognising how music is put together helps your child make sense of a new piece and learn it with understanding.
Make it their own.
Explore phrasing, tone, character and the styles behind the music. Your child experiments with musical ideas, listens to the result and learns to shape a performance that communicates something personal.
Our approach brings together the technical, constructive and expressive knowledge described in Ofsted’s music research review (2021).
Private lessons. Musical progress.
A steadier pulse, a clearer melody or fingers that move more easily: progress becomes meaningful when a child can hear and feel what has changed.
In a study of 31 children aged around six, children taking private lessons made greater gains in musical listening and right-hand finger coordination than children receiving school group music without instrumental lessons.
The private-lesson group improved more in musical listening and right-hand finger coordination.
- Private individual lessons
- 15 childrenWeekly 30-minute lessons
- School group music
- 16 childrenWeekly 40-minute classes; no instrumental lessons
15 months of learning, with musical skills measured before and afterwards.
Teaching shaped around your child.
Every child brings different interests, strengths, attention spans and ways of understanding. We give their learning a clear direction, with goals, music and explanations chosen for them.
There is a plan, with the flexibility to change it. We can spend longer on a rhythm, try a different explanation or follow a musical interest as it emerges. Progress is guided by what your child understands and is ready to explore next.
Classroom music offers valuable shared experiences, but a teacher working with a whole class cannot give every pupil this continuous, individual attention. In private tuition, the feedback, task and pace can respond to your child throughout the lesson.
“Ed has helped me and Zac tremendously with his knowledge and skill on the instrument.”
Earn UCAS points through music.
Music exams can give your child a goal to work towards and formal recognition of their progress. Eligible practical qualifications at Grades 6–8 carry 8–30 UCAS Tariff points, which can contribute to university offers that accept them.
Grades remain optional. We can work towards an examination when it supports your child’s ambitions, while continuing to develop their wider musicianship.
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Grade 8 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
- Grade 8 Merit · 24 points
- The same numerical Tariff value as an A level at grade D.
- Grade 8 Distinction · 30 points
- Between an A level at grade D (24 points) and grade C (32 points).
Sources: Trinity music grades · UCAS A-level values · UCAS guidance.
Your child’s teacher
Specialist teaching. A patient approach.
Classical guitar is the instrument around which the Academy was built. Ed Peczek trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has spent more than two decades teaching classical guitar.
Lessons combine careful listening with practical explanation. A difficulty is something to understand and work on, not a judgement of a child’s talent.
The aim is to give your child enough structure to make progress and enough room to enjoy becoming a musician.
Meet your TeacherMaking music is not an audition.
Your child does not need to arrive with a polished piece or prove that they are ready for tuition. If they already play, they can bring something they are learning. If they are starting for the first time, there is nothing to prepare.
We begin by finding out what they enjoy and what you both hope to gain from lessons. Together, we identify the first priorities and begin working on them. You and your child leave knowing what to practise next, why it matters and how to approach it.
There is no audition or entrance exam. We accept all pupils regardless of perceived natural musical ability, physical or academic skill levels.
Before you decide.
How do I know if my child is ready?+
Interest, ability to engage with a short task, physical comfort and support at home all matter. Tell us your child’s age and experience so we can discuss a sensible starting point.
Tuition is available from age six. Parental attendance is encouraged until your child can confidently be left. Agree attendance and collection arrangements before the lesson.
Do they need to read music already?+
No. Demonstration, listening, imitation and simple rhythm work can introduce music through playing. Notation develops gradually alongside these skills.
How much practice will they need?+
The starting point is a manageable task and a routine your family can sustain—not a universal daily quota. Short, attentive sessions can give a child a clear focus without making practice an endurance exercise.
If practice becomes difficult to begin or regularly ends in frustration, bring that back to the lesson so the task and expectations can be adjusted.
Do I need to be musical to help?+
No. You can help protect a little time, show interest and encourage your child to share what they are learning. Technical diagnosis and the next teaching step belong in the lesson.
Are grades compulsory?+
No. Grades can be useful when a child enjoys a defined goal, but learning pieces they love, developing a more controlled sound and becoming more independent are worthwhile goals too.
If an examination is important to your family, discuss the qualification and preparation needed before committing to it.
What guitar should we buy?+
Ask before buying if you are unsure. Size, string height and playability affect how comfortably a child can learn; age alone is not enough to choose an instrument.
Tell us what you already have, or what you are considering, so the playing setup can be discussed.
Can my child learn online?+
Online tuition can work when the child can engage with the format and the teacher has a clear view and usable sound. Younger learners may need practical help with tuning, the camera and getting set up.
Please ask about suitability before booking. The tutor meets a parent or guardian at the first online lesson. Agree attendance and any practical support your child needs before the lesson.
Choose how they learn.
In Person
One-to-one tuition at the private CGA studio in Allestree, Derby.
Working in the same room allows direct listening, demonstration and close observation of how your child and their instrument work together.
Online
Individual guidance through demonstration, careful camera positioning and clear work to continue between lessons.
Suitability depends on your child’s engagement, the playing setup and the practical support available. Discuss this with us before choosing an online lesson.
Choose your lesson duration.
Choose a duration that suits your child’s concentration, experience and current work. A longer lesson is not automatically a better lesson.
If you are unsure, ask and we can discuss a sensible starting point.
30 minutes
FocusedA shorter session for a manageable introduction or one clearly defined area of playing.
£22 per lessonBook a Lesson45 minutes
BalancedRoom to connect technique, repertoire and a clear plan for practice between lessons.
£32 per lessonBook a Lesson60 minutes
In DepthMore time to explore a piece in depth, develop musical ideas and work towards your child’s goals.
£42 per lessonBook a LessonNot sure which format or lesson length to choose? Ask before booking and we can suggest a sensible starting point.
Fuel their curiosity to enrich their future.
Please start by telling us your child’s age, whether they have any musical experience and what has interested them in the guitar. Complete beginners are welcome. They do not need to read music or prepare a piece before lessons begin.
If you are unsure about the right instrument, lesson format or duration, please ask. We can recommend a suitable starting point.
Contact us now to arrange your child’s first lesson.