Playing Classical Guitar involves highly specialised techniques that few people know. Acoustic guitars are designed to work in a particular way and the only way to make the guitar respond properly is with these special techniques, which unlock the full range of tones, depth of sound and dynamic range.
When Mike gives Classical Guitar lessons he teaches everything the student needs to know, from how to produce the best sounds to how best to sit and even how to make practice time more efficient.
Just plucking the strings with fingers will not produce a full, rich sound no matter how good the guitar is. There are many factors to consider:
- Angles of the plucking fingers. Hands and fingers are complex systems of muscles and joints. 
To get the optimum range of sounds out of your guitar certain muscles must be used to move certain bones at certain angles. The ideal techniques for Classical Guitar are not intuitive for those without knowledge of physiology and the Classical Guitar's design;
- Angles of the fretting fingers. It's possible to play with bad fret hand technique and make a 
good sound, however, learning Mike's Classical Guitar technique will enable passages containing chords to ring more clearly and allow you to reach a much higher level, with greater playing speed and fluidity. Using the correct muscles to ensure the fingers are at the correct angle means that less effort is required to play complicated passages;
- Choosing whether to use nails or finger tips. Plucking with finger tips provides a different tonal pallet to plucking with nails and different nail shapes produce yet more results. Mike can explain the pros and cons of both methods and help you chose;
If this all seems too complicated, don't worry - Mike M.Mus., BA(Hons) specialises in Classical Guitar finger picking technique and will teach you all this in a steady, progressive way. Not only will you know what to do, you will also know why it should be done. Classical Guitar lessons with Mike will enable you to always get the best out of your guitar and reach your potential as a musician.
There are many wrong ways for Classical Guitarists to sit and discovering the correct way by oneself is difficult.
Bad posture over long periods can not only cause your guitar playing to suffer, but also affect your general health. The spine is the foundation of everything you do, and misusing it can cause unexpected problems from wrist pain to indigestion. Mike is one of a small number of instrument teachers in the country that are able to explain how to sit correctly.
Mike is a PhD researcher at the University of Kent and has researched Alexander Technique and physiology. Although not an expert in these fields, he has developed the guidelines for a safe, physiologically sound sitting posture for Classical Guitarists. This minimises back tension, allowing you to play for longer periods without aches and pains.
One of the wonderful things about the Classical Guitar is it's tonal range and expressive possibilities - people often say it's like having a small orchestra at your fingertips.
There are numerous ways of enhancing the mood of musical passages: playing on a different part of the neck; altering the plucking technique; incorporating vibrato or ritardando. Mike helps his Classical Guitar students to explore these possibilities when the time is right.
Although it's difficult to learn perfect, efficient Classical guitar technique it saves effort in the long run. Learning to place your fingers in the correct place at the right angle and applying the Minimum Movement Principle through relaxation means that less energy is needed to play the guitar. This means you can enjoy playing for longer, as well as achieving a much higher level of playing proficiency.