James Fuller
About
I'm a Kyoto based musician, producer and composer from Sydney, Australia! I've worked mostly as a session guitarist for artists like Eddie Benjamin, Sloan Peterson and Taj Ralph, and have extensive international and domestic touring experience. In the studio, I've done lots of work with my own band, Honey Nothings, and other acts like Good Lekker and Ella Clair. At the Local level, I've played loads of weddings with high end agencies, done arrangements for local musicals and theatre, and composed for media. In terms of formal qualifications, I have a Bachelor of Music Studies in Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium of music, and have been teaching for around ten years.
At the moment, I offer guitar, composition, theory and production lessons.
Teaching Style
I prioritise good rapport, motivation and making sure that making music always something you look forward to. In my experience, many educators and students alike often lose sight of the fact that making music needs to be a positive force, not a stressor, in your life. Otherwise, there's no point! While discipline, dedication and hard work are necessary, this doesn't mean learning music needs to be tedious.
In short, my teaching style is hands on, engaging and joyful!
Curriculum
Learning music is a very personal endeavor. I try not to impose my beliefs on students too much, and am as happy teaching you to play your favorite songs from tab as I am teaching you to orchestrate a piano concerto for orchestra. The only real common denominator in my teaching method is making sure you're a good student of music. All students need to be able to use their ears, have good judgement, and identify what they like and don't like in music.
In lessons, I like to start by clearly identifying goals, and then working with students to identify a clear roadmap to guide the path to improvement. This can look really different for everyone, and so can the resources. Someone who wants to master jazz will need to spend a lot of time with recordings, lead sheets, and manuscript paper. Someone who wants to get better at rock will probably end up using tab more.
Book your first lesson with me and we'll figure out what works best for you.
Credentials & Affiliations
Bachelor of Music Studies - Composition (Sydney Conservatorium of Music / University of Sydney)
