‘There is more than one way to learn how to do something, and everyone responds differently to various teaching techniques and methods of learning.
‘It is an educator’s job not merely to dispense information on their own terms, but to find out how, and at what speed, a student best absorbs knowledge.
‘I believe the most effective way to achieve this is through one-to-one tuition in an enjoyable, progressive process that should feel rewarding for both teacher and student.’
‘Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.’ Beethoven
Biography
Music tutor, guitarist and award-winning education writer Joe McGowan has over 30 years’ experience teaching music in schools, colleges and private practice in the UK and Spain. His work has included personal counselling, music therapy and teaching children with special needs.
An Honours graduate in music and the arts, Joe attended the Royal Conservatoire Scotland (formerly the RSAMD) where he obtained a second degree (the first was in music, philosophy & art history) in guitar, composition and music theory/history. He also holds a diploma in music theory and teaching diplomas from the ABRSM and Trinity College, London.
Joe has been a registered RGT (Registry of Guitar Tutors) instructor and a mentor for Glasgow University students and post-graduates. He is also a qualified TEFL tutor.
Composing
Having studied with renowned composers who include John Maxwell Geddes, James MacMillan, Gordon McPherson and Tom Wilson, Joe received a mainly classical composition training, but his own musical tastes and creative output are more eclectic, with songs, fusions and electronic music figuring among his other compositions for orchestra, mixed ensembles and solo pieces for piano and guitar. An example of his preference for combining musical techniques can be heard in the minimalist composition, Infinite Circles, which was written for a composing workshop. (Excerpt from this piece below.)
A guitarist for 40 years (23 of which as a professional soloist), Joe studied the instrument with some of the UK's most respected teachers and performers, and has taken part in masterclasses with world-renowned artists including John Williams, David Russell, Vladimir Mikulka and Carlos Bonnell.
In 1999 he spent a year performing in the canary islands in duo Cross Culture, a classical guitar duet formed with friend and fellow guitarist, Cameron Angus. During this time the duo recorded their album, Crossing the Boundaries. (See the Shop page of this website for details and to hear an excerpt.)
Guitar
Writing
In 2004 Joe was commissioned to write his first music book - a textbook/revision guide for the Scottish school music curriculum. The book, How to Pass Standard Grade Music, was well-received by teachers and students, enjoying favourable reviews in the educational press and ultimately winning the Saltire Society academic book of the year award in 2005.
Since then he has gone on to write five more curriculum books - the most recent being How to Pass National 5 Music and The jm-education Guide to Higher Music - and 21 music resource books, as well as co-authoring the music biography of composer Terry Oldfield (For details see the Shop page of this website.)
Between 1990 and 1999 Joe was also a reviewer of concerts, new music and CDs for the international magazine, Classical Guitar.
Biography
Writing
Guitar
Composing
Your Music Mentor exists to provide a quality music service with online convenience to people of all levels of ability, regardless of their location.
It was also founded to respond to the needs of those who are not within range of a suitable teacher, or whose circumstances or particular requirements are such that traditional private tuition is not a viable option.
Your Music Mentor even functions as a friendly ‘drop-in’ resource for those who may only want a single consultation with a music professional - for example, to obtain a second opinion on a musical matter, seek technical advice on playing a particular piece, or to have some music transcribed.
Excerpt from Infinite Circles. Music and video editing by Joe McGowan.
Written for a workshop on minimalist composing techniques, this programmatic piece concerns the repetition of the circle in nature - from fundamental particles to planets, galaxies, perhaps even the universe itself - and the philosophical notion of its infinite recurrence in all existence.
If any (or many!) of the above appeal to you but you’re a little unsure of how you might best proceed, get in touch with Your Music Mentor now for some helpful advice. Contact
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