Hi, I'm Callum - Guitarist, coach and someone who genuinely loves helping people play.
Where it began
I was born in leafy Surrey and from an early age I was brought up listening to rock music, from Nirvana to Greenday, Linkin Park and Muse, which is probably the reason I am so passionate about music.
My interest in learning to play the guitar was influenced by my childhood friend Jacob, I started taking lessons at Musicland East, in Molesey and from the moment my guitar teacher James taught me how to play Sunshine of Your Love, I was hooked.
Oddly, before this, I never had any intention to actually pick up a guitar! In 2009 on my sisters 8th birthday, she received a classical nylon string guitar and vouchers for guitar lessons at Musicland East. Lucky for me time, she was too shy to take the lessons, so I said I'll take the lessons for her and then teach her what I learn. To the present day, I still haven't given her a lesson yet. Sorry Sis!
Where it took off
My guitar teacher, James, at Musicland East James introduced me to wide range of music styles and genres. However, it was the electrifying sounds of Eric Clapton, The Beatles and AC/DC that sparked my passion to learn more.
Although I picked it up quick, I put the time and effort into practising every day and after only 3 weeks of playing, I performed at a school talent show and loved the feeling of performing in front of others…. I was hooked.
Shortly after, the classical nylon string guitar was soon replaced with my very first electric guitar. This really inspired me to practice even more, as I wanted to sound like Matt Bellamy from Muse and Angus Young from AC/DC.
Where it developed
Much to my neighbours’ despair, I kept on practicing and learning and it was when I turned 13 I got my first Fender guitar, which was a dream of mine. It was a shiny red Fender Modern Player Blacktop Telecaster HH, as James, my Guitar teacher used a telecaster, and I'd grown to really like that style. From this point I started to practice a lot more, and I knew I wanted to take this more seriously.
I learnt as many of my favourite guitar solos, pushing myself to learn the next most difficult thing for me. I went through a phase of learning a lot of Slash, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmore, Jimmy Page, the list goes on, I was obsessed. I was also getting into pedals, but I wasn't happy with my raw sound coming from a solid-state amp, and so then I got my very first tube amp, a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III, which I still use today. I loved the sound, and it gave me the tones I've always been after.
Where I started to teach
At age 15, I got myself my first Fender American Stratocaster, as I wanted to sound like Jimi Hendrix (if anyone else could), A Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS.
I also started working Saturdays, behind the counter, at the guitar shop Musicland East, where I sold guitars, strings, and dealt with restringing.
In my spare time, I worked towards successfully achieving my Grade 8 in electric guitar grade. Shortly after I was over the moon when and I was offered a place to teach at Musicland East… I was being paid to play!
Working at Musicland East opened the doors to meeting other musicians which gave me my first paid live performance opportunity… I was being paid more to play! I playing weddings, Birthdays and events from 16 years old, and this gave me a lot of experience in building my confidence and playing with a band. Being paid to do what you love was amazing.
Where the career started
As I was getting more serious with music, I decided to take this further and studied A level music and BTEC Music Tech at Esher College 2016-2018, which opened up new areas of music to me, and also taught me how to record guitar and other instruments.
During this time, I was working on classical guitar with my teacher which improved my sight and sheet music reading, and my college friends who were sax and keyboard players introduced me to jazz. This moment really opened my eyes on what someone can play and gave me new concepts and ideas I could use to add to my past rock and blues back catalogue. I learnt about new scales, chords and changes which weren't always as common in the music I was playing.
After college, I decided to move to Brighton to Study a 3 Year course at BIMM Brighton to further pursue my career path.
Since then, I have been drawn in to Pop, RnB, and Jazz Fusion. As well as studying Gospel players and trying to apply their styles in to the way I play. As my time in Brighton grew longer, I was expanding my network, creating new opportunities to play for artists, function bands, and record sessions.
Where next?
To the present day, I continue to grow as a musician, expand my network and work in the London music scene, performing across the UK, Europe and Internationally and helping guitar players become more musical and confident in their playing through online coaching.
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Watch this space...
17+ years playing experience
10+ years teaching experience
Performed to audiences of 15,000 toured over the UK, Europe and international
1st Class BA
Professional Musicianship in Guitar
Contact
Are you looking for a professional Session Guitarist for your event, recording session, or ensemble? Or even wanting to learn your favourite song and progress on your instrument? Don't hesitate to contact.