About Me.

I have always been passionate about music and have now been playing the guitar for over 40 years.  I was self-taught as a teenager but my formal musical training has come since early retirement in 2002.  I obtained my grades on guitar and bass at Northwich School of Music, where I then taught both instruments for several years.  I have also run 'taster days' for Year 11 students at Mid-Cheshire College, whilst studying Music Practice between 2006 and 2008.

I moved back to Winsford in 2012 and set up 'Avondale Guitar Tuition' which is based at my home in St. Georges Road.

I enjoy, and am able to teach a wide range of styles and musical genres.  My repertoire encompases many of the varied styles of popular music which exist today.  However, I am primarily an electric guitar player and my own playing style is very much in a blues / rock / metal  vein.

My earliest influences were AC/DC, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, then, from about 1979/80, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.  My favourite bands were Diamond Head, the Tygers of Pan Tang, Saxon and Iron Maiden.  Of course I soon discovered a lot of the earlier rock and metal bands from the 70's; The Scorpions, Thin Lizzy and UFO all became big favourites.

As the 80's progressed and heavy rock music began to diversify further I was very much in the 'thrash metal' camp and am still a big fan of Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Metallica, Testament  Exodus, Annihilator and Death Angel.  Later on I grew to love Death Metal with bands such as Carcass and Death becoming great favourites.

I have always had a strong affinity with the Southern Rock bands from the USA.  This began with the discovery of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot, ZZ Top and Molly Hatchet in the late 70's and early 80's and later extended to bands like The Black Crowes and some of the more 'country' influenced artists such as the Charlie Daniels Band and the Marshall Tucker Band.    

Recently I have found myself exploring more modern country music and really enjoying some of the new challenges in guitar playing that has awakened in me.  I have always loved blues guitar music and players like Billy Gibbons, Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan have also been a big influence. 

My own musical style has been forged from a passion for all the bands and musical genres I have mentioned.   I still enjoy them all today, and studying and teaching music continues to introduce me to new artists and bands which I might otherwise have missed out on.  

I enjoy writing and recording music and find that the study of compositional techniques is also a  very effective way to teach music theory.  Over the last few years I have undertaken recording projects with many of my students, thus providing an opportunity for them to learn how to construct a piece of music from scratch, or record a cover version of a favourite song.  Students are often amazed at what can be achieved with modern recording software and a bit of 'know how'.

I don't currently play in a band.  It's something I've done in the past but don't enjoy, or find anywhere near as rewarding as teaching, writing and recording music.

On a professional level I don't do anything other than teach music.  There are 'guitar teachers' around who are simply trying to an earn a little extra to supplement their day jobs and who have little or nothing by way of qualifications or experience.  Of greater concern is that private music tuition is completely unregulated and anyone can set themselves up in business without any checks or safeguards.  Please be mindful of this if you are considering music lessons for a young person. 

Interested?

Please contact me via E-mail:  m.leathwood@gmail.com