The School's Philosophy 

 What Macleod Guitar School Offers? 

 - Well basically ask yourself? Do you want to learn the guitar properly? Learn it properly once and for all without ever having to readjust the way you play?

 - Whether you are a mature age student who has decided finally to follow that lifetime dream or whether you are a young student wanting a career in music you have come to the right place... Ivan's guitar playing and compositions are played worldwide on TV , and radio. You are in the hands of a professional musician who is passionate about his teaching and tired of seeing students taught terrible techniques from amateur guitar teachers.  

 - The lessons are one on one,  relaxed, enjoyable, but productive. The lessons are tailored around the students interest. 

- Suitable whether you want to make a career in music or just want to follow a hobby

 -Ivan works around the students interests and goals focusing on techniques , chords , theory etc via the students favourite songs . 

 - Assistance is provided with AMEB and VCE syllabuses

 - Ivan also teaches composition and production and many guitar students incorporate this into the lesson. ie How to produce your music from the start to the end .

What Prospective Students Should Avoid?

Tablature

Its 99% of the time wrong. Do you want to rely on some internet geek who thinks he knows what he is doing by publishing inaccurate tabs. STAY AWAY . If you don't want to learn sheet music at least work on developing your ear. Priceless !!!!!!!!

Bad Posture Techniques

 Every 2nd student who comes to Ivan has learnt bad postures from teachers who should  not be teaching guitar.  Ivan will teach you techniques and postures that you will never need to adjust from for the rest of your life. Ivan does not want enquiries from 'bargain hunters" who are solely interesting in rates. You will see eventually what budget lessons do.

Laziness

Have passion and understand that it takes a lifetime of love and passion to play the guitar properly but a short period of time to forget it. be disciplined but make sure you enjoy it . Please don't waste your time or Ivan's if you are only half interested.

Buying Guitars

If you are looking at booking lessons with Ivan and don't have a guitar yet please speak to him first before going and spending money on a guitar totally unsuitable for you .

Budget priced Guitar Lessons

Please no bargain hunters looking for cheap lessons.This is a high quality teaching service and Ivan does not want phone calls from "bargain hunters" .Ever heard of the phrase "You pay for McDonalds you get McDonalds". You will only waste your money developing wrong techniques from Budget guitar teachers... Ivan's rates are industry standard and his passion is teaching and seeing a student reach his goals. If you are going to a music teacher who charges half of the industry rate there is a very good reason for it. Needless to say the names of bad teachers gets around very quickly. Ivan has been teaching a lifetime. Think about this very carefully if you want to get results with guitar.. 

Choosing The Right Teacher

When choosing a teacher do some research 1st because the guitar teaching business is definitely unregulated and full of bad teachers

1/ Does he know his theory? Has he studied?

2/ What are his musical credentials?

3/When "trialing" a lesson with a teacher test him out.. How long does it take him to work out 1 of your CD song requests by ear especially those with altered chords? Can he read music? Can he cover more than 1 genre? or is he just a Metal player?

4/Try and avoid teachers in shops. You might be lucky finding a pro experienced teacher in a music shop but generally shops employ kids whom aren't playing properly themselves 

5/It's important you have a good relationship with your teacher. This can help you ' the student " relax and not feel pressured

6/ Is the teaching being interrupted by phone calls etc? A lot of teachers will not make up the time. Is the teacher punctual?

7/ Preferably choose a teacher who runs his own school and is preferably a full time music teacher/musician not a part time teacher with basic music skills.... Once again one shouldn't generalise because there are some good teachers who work for shops etc... But think about it? The music teacher who runs his own teaching program relies on his profession and business because its his occupation. He has to retain high standards to retain his students . What occurs between teacher and student affects him totally...  A teacher in a shop can walk away from his teaching when he wants because it doesn't affect him but the shop he works for. And then just find another shop etc. At the end of the day the student suffers and It occurs this time and time again.  

A TRUE STORY- The Shonky Guitar teaching industry

A few years ago Ivan had a new student who was an "advanced beginner level" student wanting just 1 lesson in learning the three main 7th chords . One month later this student had a business card size ad in the local paper advertising as "an experienced" guitar teacher. This is what you are dealing with be very careful !!