Personalised Guitar and Ukulele lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students, with over 15 years of experience performing live and teaching

Learn more about Shane

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  1. I come from a very musical family, with my dad being a full time musician. Growing up, music was always around me.. it’s what I heard, experienced, and was naturally influenced by from a young age. I started out playing the ukulele as a kid, and over time, I gradually transitioned into guitar. To this day, my favourite instruments are the guitar and ukulele, both of which have played a huge role in shaping my musical journey.

• 2) Is there a particular type music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  2. I’m a big fan of Steve Lukather. he’s my favourite guitarist and a huge influence on my playing. My favourite bands are Queen and Toto, whose music has inspired me throughout my journey.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or 'riveting' lesson you could personally give to one of your students.

  3. My students love learning songs especially challenging solos from bands like Eagles, AC/DC, and Metallica. The tricky part is helping them understand the importance of patience. Many students want to jump straight to playing at full speed, but real progress comes from practising slowly and focusing on accuracy. I always encourage them to take their time, pay attention to every note, and build control first because once the foundation is solid, speed comes naturally.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  4. In my experience, the guitar can be quite tricky because you can’t visually see the notes laid out as clearly as you can on a piano or keyboard. Because of this, developing strong visualisation techniques is essential. Learning to picture the fretboard, understand note positions, and connect shapes and patterns helps students gain confidence and eventually master the instrument more effectively.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  5. Keys to success include watching a wide range of guitarists, listening closely to their music, and learning their solos. Transcribing what you hear is one of the most powerful ways to develop your ear and deepen your understanding. It’s also important to learn the theory behind what you’re playing, so you can see how everything connects. From there the goal is to be creative, take what you know and start making it your own.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  6. I would love to meet Steve Lukather, Brian May, and Freddie Mercury. I’m completely obsessed with their creativity. they’re like musical wizards to me, true geniuses who have shaped the way I think about music.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your musical journey, or your days at 'music school'.

  7. In my early months of performing live, I found it quite challenging to play in front of an audience. It’s one thing to practise and play comfortably at home when you’re alone, but being on stage with people actually watching you is a completely different experience. The pressure, nerves, and awareness of the audience made it feel like a whole new skill to develop. At that time, I saw it as a real challenge but it pushed me to grow, build confidence, and become more comfortable performing in any setting.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  8. What makes me stand out as a music teacher is the attention I give to each individual student. I don’t follow a fixed method for everyone—instead, I create personalised lesson plans based on each student’s level, goals, and learning style. Every student progresses differently, so I make sure their learning pathway reflects that. I also place a strong emphasis on structure and clarity. At the end of each lesson, I provide a clear practice plan so students know exactly what to work on and how to practise effectively. This helps them stay consistent and see real progress.
  Another important aspect of my teaching is balancing technique with enjoyment. While I focus on building strong fundamentals, I also make sure students are learning songs they love, which keeps them motivated and engaged.
  Finally, I pay close attention to common challenges students face such as rushing through songs or struggling with timing and guide them to develop patience, control, and confidence in their playing. It’s these small but important details that help my students improve steadily and enjoy the learning process.