Tuition

Lessons and workshops are a large part of our focus and cover just about all the instruments in the store. While one on one lessons are always in demand, our Wednesday evening workshops are also proving to be very popular, for beginners in particular. One way or the other we can help you learn to play your shiny new stringed thing.
Private Tuition also available on request.

Beginner Workshops
 To book a place for any of these call us on 03 9417 2252. All workshops are held in the store and last for two hours from 7pm. Workshops are conducted in an entertaining and welcoming style catering especially to beginners and groups are kept very small.
The cost is $60 per workshop with payment made at time of booking.

Expressions of interest wanted

If you are interested in attending workshops other than those listed above, some leading local musicians are available if sufficient interest is expressed. To register interest in one or more of these musicians please fill out the form below:

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Lessons at Melbourne Guitar Gallery

One on one tuition in a wide range of instruments is available at the Guitar Gallery. Prices are set at around $60 for 1 hour. Our teachers are experienced, welcoming, non-intimidating types who cater to all pre-existing skill levels. Let us introduce you to a few of them.

Gus Macmillan

Banjo - Gus Macmillan

Gus is the founder of Melbourne's School of Banjo who has 20 years of experiences playing banjo, including 10 years of touring Australia and seven years touring Europe, Asia and the Americas with Blue Grassy Knoll. In 2003 he was fortunate to have studied with several great banjo teachers in the USA , and has been teaching ever since. He was the 2005 Guildford Banjo Jambouree two tune pick off champion! He also plays with groups Devil Goat Family String Band, Hobson' Choice and Stretch 'n' the Truth.
He has upward of 30 students at the moment, they range in age from 11 to 73, and they all go at their own pace - some come weekly, others fortnightly, some come in fits and starts... it's each according to their requirements.
He's used to starting people from scratch, getting their picking fixed up right from the beginnning, and giving them things that they can play without too much hassle, so that it's not all hard work and no reward. Books are a great resource but there's nothing that beats having someone showing you how to do it. He has a large selection of music that he gives to students as they progress, from all different sources, he tends to pick the best tunes from different books, and also give students a CD of the things they'll be playing, but nice and slow, so they can hear what's what. He'll also give you a compilation CD of some of his favourite banjo tunes. And if you have something that you want to learn to play, Gus can figure it out and if it's playable teach it to you. He also has a large lending library of bluegrass CDs and DVDs available for students to borrow.
Gus is currently teaching on Mondays at the Guitar Gallery

Gerry Hale

Mandolin/Dobro/Fiddle/Banjo/Bluegrass Guitar - Gerry Hale

Gerry is the owner of the shop and qualified to teach just about any instrument we sell but, for conveniences sake we'll stick to his main instruments. Gerry is a world class fiddle and mandolin player and no slouch on banjo, Dobro, lap steel and guitar of all styles but especially bluegrass and swing.
He's pretty much always here and happy to be dragged out to the studio at the back to show students a thing or two. Appointments necessary of course.
Gerry believes that music should be fun and that it's within the reach of most of us to play any instrument we set our minds to - so long as we're prepared to take the time to practise those rolls, scales, double stops etc. He's taught 40 year old fiddling nuts and banjo crazy 9 year olds and all those in between.
Call the store to book some time with Gerry.

Graeme Fletcher

Autoharp - Graeme Fletcher

Graeme is guitarist/vocalist with Melbourne-based "Western String" band, The Horny Toads. He had been performing as a singer/songwriter at various pubs, clubs and festivals when he met the other members of the Toads in 2002 and decided the band was a lot more fun than being solo. The Horny Toads have released two cds - "Rock is Dead - long live paper and scissors" (2006) and "Kiss the Princess" (2008).
Graeme released an album of original material, "Port in a Storm", in 2000, with guest musicians including Chris Wilson (harmonica), Peter Somerville (banjo), Dave Steel (slide guitar), Alex Burns (dobro), Rose Bygrave, Sara Caroll, Trish Anderson (vocals). Around the beginning of 2003 he discovered the autoharp and has since been on a mission "to make it recognised, if not popular" - playing regularly in old-time sessions and occasional solo gigs and guest spots. Graeme (autoharp) and Toads double-bassist, Steve Doyle, won the "Front Porch Picking Award" for old-time music at the 2006 Beechworth Kelly Country Bluegrass Pick.
He has been teaching autoharp for almost three years, including workshops at the National Folk Festival and the Yarra Junction Fiddlers' Convention.
Call the store to book some time with Graeme.


More teachers yet to be listed - check back....