Joe Lannon

I started learning guitar when I was 12. I had lessons for just over a year and my real joy was being

able to play Bowie’s Space Oddity. I remember learning to play Stairway to Heaven with my friend.

Most people who say they never had lessons often mean they got free ones off their mates. I

strummed and riffed my way through the next two decades playing in bands and groups whenever

the opportunity arose.

I have had several careers including research, charity work and Church pastoral work. I trained as

a Teacher and studied for a PGCE with the Open University. While teaching, I was asked to run a

school band and began taking on private guitar students. I studied the guitar seriously and gained

a grade 8 distinction in electric guitar with the London College of Music (LCM). I then went onto to

complete the licentiate Guitar Teacher’s Diploma with London College of Music or LLCM(TD). This

enables me to teach their grades for Acoustic, Electric, Bass, Ukulele and Classical. The advanced

grades help students gain extra UCAS points and I can help you to obtain the desired level of

playing to obtain a place in a music college/university.

In 2006, I decided to focus full time on running my own guitar tuition business based in

Northumberland and then Devon. Since then I’ve had worked as a professional guitar teacher and

seen many of my students progress to be able to play the songs and pieces they loved. A few have

gone onto to study music professionally.

My specialism is improvisation and understanding how theory aids better playing. I am a member

of Sound Sense, the UK professional Association for Community Music and a member of the

Registry of Guitar Tutors. I also worked as a guitar examiner for LCM in England, Wales and

Ireland.

I have played in bands and composed and recorded songs. One of my fingerstyle guitar pieces

gained a finalist position in the UK songwriting contest (Brit Trust). My wife and I produced an

album called Found. We call ourselves SweetJoni and this is still available for download on iTunes.

This box of wood, metal and plastic brings such joy to people when they learn its language. It

opens a door to the heart and soul and helps all who tinker with it for a while to be heard.