Jak Albans
About
Hello there, my name is Jak and welcome to my profile!
Here's a little bit about myself:
I'm a passionate music performer and educator with a degree in popular music performance. With years of hands-on experience in music, I specialize in helping students of all ages and skill levels develop their musical talents in an engaging and supportive environment.
I offer lessons in guitar, piano and music theory, with a focus on personalized learning tailored to your goals. Whether you're just starting your musical journey or looking to elevate your advanced skills, my teaching approach adapts to your needs to help you succeed.
My background as a performer (playing at gigs, weddings, festivals and more) allows me to bring practical knowledge and real-world insights into every session. I also have experience with live sound, music composition and music production, giving me the tools to help you with both the creative and technical side of music.
Whatever your goals are, whether you're looking to play your favorite songs, improve your music theory knowledge, or develop your skills for live performances, I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Let’s work together to turn your musical aspirations into reality!
Teaching Style
My teaching style involves tailoring lessons to each individual's needs, ensuring that every session is engaging, practical, and aligned with your personal goals.
I understand that each of my students learns differently, whether they prefer a structured approach, hands-on practice, or creative exploration. By recognizing these unique preferences, I can adapt my teaching style in a way that resonates most with you.
Curriculum
Below is an example of what you can expect from a 1-hour guitar lesson. Please note, I will typically adapt this based on your ability, needs and preferences.
Typical Lesson Structure:
Warm Up (10 mins) :
Simple finger exercises and strumming patterns. Warming-up fingers and increasing dexterity. Briefly introduce topic of today's lesson.
Today's Focus (25 mins) :
Focus on the technique/skill for the lesson. For example, alternate picking, arpeggios or bends.
Practical Application (15 mins) :
Apply the technique/skill in practice. This could be through improvisation, playing to a song or a backing track.
Review (10 mins) :
Reflect on the lesson, addressing any challenges and summarize key points. Answer questions, provide feedback, and assign practice tasks for next lesson.
Recommended Learning Materials (Guitar):
Chord Chemistry by Ted Greene (A comprehensive guide for learning chords and their relationships on guitar.)
How to Write Songs on Guitar by Rikky Rooksby (A practical guide for writing songs on guitar. Covers chords, rhythm and melody.)
Solo by Tom Quayle (A great interactive app for guitar players of any level. Main focus on Fretboard Visualisation)
Recommended Learning Materials (Piano):
How to Play Piano: A complete guide for absolute beginners (Great first book for playing piano)
Simply Piano (A great piano app for beginners with real-time feedback.)
Credentials & Affiliations
Education/Training:
I hold a Bachelor's in Music (BMus) in Popular Music Performance (2019-2023) from BIMM Brighton, where I developed an in-depth understanding of music performance, theory, technology, instrument techniques and pedagogical teaching methods.
Some notable modules I studied are Practical Learning & Teaching in the Creative Arts, Music Theory & Notation, Live Performance Workshop, Instrument Skills and Music Technology.
Professional Experience:
I have many professional experiences in different areas of the music industry.
As a performer, my most notable performances include playing guitar in a 5-piece band at a Wedding Ceremony (St Cuthberts Centre, London) and performing guitar as a Singer Songwriter duo in Under One Sun Festival (Lewes). I have also supported events by setting up backline equipment, managing in-ear monitoring systems, and troubleshooting technical issues.
As a Live Sound Engineer , I assisted with real-time FOH and stage monitors during live performances (Waterbear Venue, Brighton) I also shadowed a professional recording session for a video game orchestra, learning advanced mixing and composition techniques directly from industry experts (AIR Studios, London).
Teaching Experience:
During my study of the module Practical Learning & Teaching in the Creative Arts, I provided one-on-one personalised guitar and music theory lessons, to students of varying skill levels at BIMM Brighton over the course of 2 years.
I’m currently also working towards a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) to expand my skills in working with students from all backgrounds.
I developed personalised training plans and sessions while studying my BTEC in Sports and Exercise Sciences (2015-2017).
Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Popular Music Performance. (Degree)
Practical Learning & Teaching in the Creative Arts (Course Module)
Live Performance Workshop (Course Module)
Music Theory & Notation (Course Module)