Birkenhead Wirral, uk
I have been a professional, performing musician, and guitar tutor for over thirty years, and have a wealth of experience teaching all kinds of different people, in schools, colleges, workshops, and as private students. I welcome students at all levels of experience, from absolute beginner to advanced.
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7 customer reviews
Elaine Cheetham
‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires!’
I’d always wanted to be able to play the guitar but never followed through. Lockdown offered an opportunity to do something positive so I thought I’d grasp the nettle and start. I tried the online courses but although they are designed to teach you how to play, they just didn’t make me truly understand the many complexities of the guitar or ignite that passion to learn inside me.
I needed a professional one-on-one tutor so after extensive research and careful consideration, I reached out to Paul Costello. This has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made.
Paul is hugely knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, talented and incredibly skilled as both a guitarist and tutor. Each lesson is filled to the brim with a tailored and individual approach to your goals. Paul’s passion for music and teaching is second to none and instinctively instills within the student, an eagerness to learn and progress.
Having a piano background, I could play music but struggled with sight reading. Paul has remarkably and unbelievably started the process of correcting this flaw. I am absolutely overjoyed about this aspect of my learning, but also in awe at how painlessly and simply he has managed to do it.
If you are looking to find a guitar tutor who really understands music and the guitar, has only one desire which is to see his pupils succeed and reach their goals, then I would highly recommend Paul time and time again. He is simply, a great teacher!
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John Pertwee
Paul is teaching me music, not notes. His teaching style is thoughtful and enthusiastic. He's willing to see where the pupil wants to go and knows how to pace and encourage. As an adult beginner I need a lot of encouragement! More...
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Gordon Hughes
In addition to being an accomplished professional musician and composer Paul is an excellent guitar tutor.I came to him just over 3 years ago as an adult beginner (it's never too late! ) having tried unsuccessfully to teach myself using a variety of books and manuals. In the process I had picked up numerous bad habits and developed poor technique.Paul's teaching style is sympathetic and supportive and he provides a syllabus tailored very much to the needs of the individual.He creates a structure and learning environment in which each student can develop to their full potential in their particular area of interest-in my case both Steel String Acoustic and Classical guitar.He demands commitment and discipline and in return provides skillful support in identifying areas for improvement and nurtures the confidence to take on new challenges.Further I have found in his wide knowledge of many musical genres encouragement to look outside the box for inspiration and enjoyment.For me he has made learning to play the guitar a great pleasure. More...
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tony roberts
I have taken weekly guitar lessons with Paul for almost 20 years in the styles of Jazz Improvisation and Classical guitar. Over that time, techniques have included plectrum and fingerstyle using both electric and acoustic instruments. Under Paul's guidance I worked up through the Classical guitar grade examinations to grade 8, and am now studying with him towards a diploma.Paul is a very sensitive teacher who tailors his approach very much with the particular student's needs in mind. Highly recommended. More...
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Frank Gordon
I have been having guitar lessons with Paul for 4 years now and enjoyed every minute.He makes the lessons interesting and diverse which has greatly broadened my knowledge of music generally. I have played for a number of years with all the self taught faults which he has very patiently worked to sort out .VERY highly recommended .cant wait for next lesson More...
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John Tate
After many years of trying to learn to play guitar ,buying books subscribing to magazines and having numerous guitar teachers i could only ever play the current song i was working on, so I was getting nowhere. after just short of two years with Paul as my tutor I have progressed so far I can sight read (slowly) play both acoustic and electric guitar to a level that is giving me so much more confidence. Paul is an excellent tutor and although I have moved out of the area I am willing to travel because I know that guitar teachers of this calibre are hard to find. More...
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Paul Johns
I have been taking lessons from Paul for 4 years and I would thoroughly recommend him as a guitar tutor. I first went with little musical knowledge but now have successfully passed grade 6 music theory, grade 4 electric guitar as well as acoustic guitar to grade 6, and recently began classical guitar lessons too. He is an established professional musician and a recording artist with a lifetime of experience, and teaches all styles of guitar to a high standard covering ABRSM, RGT and Rockschool syllabuses in a structured and progressive manner. He teaches from home, is very friendly and personable, and if you are looking toward becoming a musician as well as a player then give him a call. More...
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What do you love most about your job?
Making music and sharing it with others. I enjoy meeting new students and seeing their playing evolve over time.
What inspired you to start your own business?
The joy of being a musician. Being my own boss. And the creative freedom to live as a musician.
Why should our clients choose you?
Because I have had over three decades of experience as a professional guitar tutor/lecturer, composer, and performing musician. My students consistently achieve outstanding results in graded exams, with many going on to become semi professional, and professional guitarists in their own right.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
I teach both on line and one to one. In my home studio.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
I am presently teaching only on line. When lockdown is over I will resume one to one lessons, in my large ventilated studio, observing all necessary precautions.