Find out more about our guitar teacher, Alex.

I started playing in 2010 when I was 15. My first guitar was a Westfield SG copy in cherry red and I still have it! I truly don’t remember a single solid reason why I began to learn, but my friend had a guitar and when I heard him play a song and it sounded like a song, it blew my mind. I was getting into more guitar music, and also admittedly played a lot of guitar hero Aerosmith which I think influenced me to learn the real thing…

My friend taught me my first riff on the day I got my guitar, and from there I learnt a lot from tabs and online videos. After being self-taught for a few years, I went and studied at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford. This is where I got my first proper guitar/music lessons, and went on to complete my diploma and degree.

The first song I learned was Slither by Velvet Revolver. After that, I immediately started learning Gun’s N Roses, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin etc.

My first band was with a couple of friends from school. We’d only learnt a couple of songs (quite badly!) but had so much fun doing it. My first proper gig (other than jam nights) was at Red Bar in Weybridge. It was just a couple of acoustic duo sets, but the fact I got paid for it was really exciting and affirming!

I would have to say my favourite gig was playing a set supporting Beth Ditto at KOKO in Camden. I love the venue, and it had between 1000/1500 people there at the time. I really soaked it up, and enjoyed every second. I’ll never forget it!