Recent feedback and testimonials (2018)
“Often challenging, often inspiring, always fun … Hell I wish I could afford a lesson every day!!! John Allen
Steve is a patient and encouraging tutor and the lessons are always fun. As well as helping me to find the most efficient technique for each piece of music Steve’s great gift is being able to demonstrate and teach the elements of musicality. I would wholeheartedly recommend Steve to any guitarist looking for a hugely experienced and talented mentor. Mark Taylor
Steve, after a long week at work and two visits to the dentists. You made my week having a lesson this Saturday. Steve Mepham
I am having such a good time playing, it literally changed my life and it would have not been possible without a great teacher like you. Kylie G
Steve is the most inspiring, talented man I have met Every lesson is a privilege and after each one I enjoy playing guitar just that little more. Josh P
Steve is a great guitarist to learn from. Very patient, very encouraging, very enthusiastic and always keen that I learn through playing the music I enjoy. Also, watching Steve play is always motivating. I thoroughly enjoy my lesson and always look forward to seeing Steve. Paul Kibby
“Steve is a great guitar teacher and has allowed me the opportunity to develop my skills in so many different genres and styles as my tastes and influences have moved on over the years I’ve had him as my teacher. Knowledgable in all walks of music- he has been able to offer me invaluable advice as I began my first steps into my musical career.”Oscar Roach Whitechapel
“I have been having lessons with Steve for the past 3 years and have enjoyed every one of them due to each one being specifically tailored to either your musical preference or your learning style. Not only this but also Steve is incredibly easy to get along with making the lessons even more worthwhile.”Ash
“I think Steve is a great teacher as he teaches you all your favourite songs. The lessons go really quick” Zac (13)
’ve been having guitar lessons with Steve for a couple of years now. Steve is a very patient teacher and I like his relaxed style of teaching. My confidence has grown as he encourages me to try different styles of songs that I may not usually listen to. Im able to learn any song that I like quickly. He adapts quickly when I’m struggling but always reassures me that I will get there in the end.
Mya
I always wanted to play the guitar and at the beginning it was always very difficult. After some self-teaching practice, my wife had the wonderful idea of contacting Steve, known by other people on facebook, and everything changed from there. I feel more and more confident at every lesson and finally I can move more smoothly on the strings. I owe this to Steve only after a few lessons. Great price for one hour, excellent availability and flexibility, a perfect mix for those like me who work full time. Giuseppe
I took up playing the guitar as a hobby just after I turned 40. I had some casual lessons with a friend who plays very well. I bought many instructional dvd’s. I subscribed to several online courses and websites with literally thousands of lessons. Over the following 6 years I spent countless hours playing and sifting through this mass of media trying to decide how and what to practice. Then, after a night of inspirational music at a gig in London, I decided to invest in some one-to-one lessons with a professional teacher. I met Steve Dodds 5 months ago and, after a mind-bending introduction lesson, I have seen him every week since. It was immediately apparent that, in spite all my previous efforts, I actually had no idea how to really play a guitar, or how music actually works. Now, 5 months and only 20 lessons later, I have learned far more than the last 6 years combined. Steve is a lovely guy and an excellent teacher. He is patient, funny and a Master of his craft. Steve is managing to pull all the disparate threads of my existing knowledge together and add in missing pieces until I finally begin to understand how this wonderful instrument works. Trust me, it has been a revelation! And we’ve only just started! I commend Steve Dodds most highly and recommend him to you without hesitation.
Sincerely
Dr Mark Green
You have single handedly taught me how to put the pieces of the puzzle together to create the whole picture. Oli Clark
“Steve has an incredibly broad knowledge and is always friendly and patient. He’s really helped develop both my skills and love of the guitar.”Dylan
As a grumpy old git I find it easy to find fault and have little confidence or ability but Steve is not only in tune musically, he is quick to tune in with his students and help them develop. Thank you Steve. David Husskingson
Steve is a great teacher who focuses not just on playing a song or the instrument but learning to think like a musician. I’m having great fun and improving fast! Mike Cox
I have been having lessons with Steve for several years and can highly recommend him. Whether you are an experienced musician or a complete beginner Steve is a patient and encouraging teacher who makes every lesson enjoyable. Christian
I’ve known Steve since about 2010 when I was a beginner. In that time he’s taken me through what can seem quite complex and I’ve learned chords, scales as well as breaking down quite a few songs. At my recent wedding I was able to join the band and play along with them. If you can put the practice in then Steve will get your guitar playing where you want it to be. Anthony
I have been having guitar lessons with Steve for many years and really enjoy picking up new riffs and new chords. Music ranges from Rock, Funk, Jazz and popular classics, nothing is too much and we pick it up quickly. Always making time to explain any music theory and guitar techniques that I have not experienced before. Steve makes all lessons fun and are one of the highlights of the month. Hugh Barter
Steve came highly recommended and after 2 years of lessons, accommodated around my erratic work schedule, my guitar playing and confidence have improved dramatically. Whether I have wanted to focus on a particular song , technique or scale there is always patience and great explanations with notes, backed up by his ability to play and years of experience in the music industry. His enthusiasm and knowledge combine to motivate in a really positive way and I thoroughly enjoy lessons, learning and practicing under his tutorship. Neil Drapper
Steve is a cool and friendly teacher and I really do enjoy having lessons with him and wish a I could have them more regularly. A great inspiration with an energy and love for music which is noticeable as soon as we start to play. I’ve always been happy with my lessons and anybody who comes to Steve for guitar lessons will be too. John Skilton
My 11yo son and I started seeing Steve about 10 months ago, and we couldn’t recommend him highly enough. His attention to detail, patient, friendly and insightful approach has worked wonders and we’re now both totally obsessed with perfecting Steve’s techniques and getting better every day! Nick Lee
Past Testimonials
Eric Hunter
Steve at the Guitar room is a great guitar teacher. Why? Because whatever I want to do on the guitar, he can help. Whether it’s a question of playing technique, musical theory, advice on guitars and equipment, or learning a favourite song or solo, I know I’m going to get valuable advice and assistance. One thing I find particularly useful is that he will record backing tracks / demonstrations specifically for you, so that you can then practise at home. If, like me, you’re playing on your own, this is invaluable. I’d recommend Steve to anyone who plays guitar.
Chas Wells
I had virtually given up guitar after realising I had a huge confidence problem which prohibited me from playing in front of people, this also stifled my development as a guitarist. After some time friends who had heard me play encouraged me to start playing
again saying it was a shame to waste my talents such as they were. I felt at the time that I wasn’t very good yet felt so passionate about guitar that I knew I needed to start playing again. I decided to get some professional help and set about finding the best teacher for my needs to help me move on. I knew many guitarists at the time and when I asked any of them who I should go to, they virtually all recommended one guy “Steve Dodds”!
It was suggested that I go and check him out in the band he was working with at the time…I did and he blew me away….an awesome player in every respect !! I very rarely missed one of his gigs….and guess what , many of those other guitarist were there watching him as well at one time or another! As soon as I had spoken to him at a gig one night I knew he was the guy I wanted to teach me….he was so passionate about the guitar it left me feeling ecstatic. Steve is like that, his passion rubs off on you and you find yourself gagging to learn more. Steve started teaching me soon after and my skills grew in leaps and bounds. Sometime later Steve rang me and told me a certain band was looking for a guitarist and that I should think seriously about it and ring him back……..I was gripped with fear at the thought of performing to people…. I was going to ring Steve and say no but I realised that if I did not do this now then I never would. Thanks to Steve I got the job with the band as Rhythm guitarist which eased me back into playing live. After a short time the lead guitarist left the band and it was suggested that I took over all guitar duties….I did soon after and have been the lead guitarist with that band for some time, touring all over the UK, playing in some of the most famous venues, and backing some famous acts. I even get asked to do session work another peoples projects! you couldn’t make this up! It is one thing being a good player, and another being a good teacher….Steve is gifted at both and if anyone reading this is thinking about lessons (from beginner or someone that needs to re invent their playing), in my humble opinion as a regularly gigging guitarist you could not find anyone better to teach you the skills to do the job….I owe Steve an awful lot. If anyone wishes to hear me play or speak to me about anything I have said here, contact me at www.myspace.com/thechazsessions
Jon Green
I’m a regularly gigging guitarist, been playing for 20 years and felt a bit stuck in a rut and wanted some new motivation and inspiration to take my playing to another level. Steve has really helped. I’ve revisited some foundational areas and with Steve’s guidance got a lot more solid technically as well as integrating more thoroughly with music theory. Steve’s got me thinking like a musician, not just a guitar player.
Kirk Twiner
Steve is a great teacher always patient and encouraging and makes the lesson interesting. Great at the basics right through to the more technical stuff. Steve’s the best always a pleasure to have another lesson. I always wonder where the time goes because I enjoy the lesson so much I can’t believe my hour is up!