Louise Saunders
Spanish Guitar Teacher
Over 30 years experience teaching Spanish Guitar
to people of all ages and abilities.
From absolute beginners to grade 8 and beyond.
Approach
Like any form of communication, music can be learned, used and enjoyed at any age by anyone.
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I am a guitar teacher that covers a large range of music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, to South American and Latin, Jazz and Flamenco.
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I will always use lessons to work on music that you like to play and hopefully try to widen your horizons. Reading music fluently, understanding music theory, and putting the music into its historical context in an interesting way is a large part of this. It’s also important to achieve a solid and reliable technique so that you can have the ability to play the music you like in a coherent, sensitive and musical way.
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Experience
I have over 30 years of experience teaching Spanish Guitar to people of all ages and abilities from absolute beginners to grade 8 and beyond.
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I held a teaching post at the Spanish Guitar Centre for 30 years alongside Michael Watson, Gordon Saunders and Dave Godden. I have also taught at three Bristol schools, taught individuals, and small classes of all ages and abilities.
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I have played many recitals and have performed on BBC TV and radio. This has given me an awareness of the skills required for performance and the opportunity to play and learn from some of the best guitarists in the world, sharing technical exercises, knowledge and musical advice.
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Background
I first heard the classical guitar being played when I was eight years old. A student on my road was practicing on a warm summer day with his window open and I instantly fell in love with its expressively warm and beautiful sound. I knew that moment without any doubt that I would play this instrument and that its voice would always be a part of who I am.
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When I spoke to the student, several days later, I asked him to teach me the guitar, and with great patience (and quite a bit of home cooking from my grandmother) he gave me lessons for almost a year before telling me that he had taught me everything he knew and that I should go to the Spanish Guitar Centre to continue my lessons.
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I was offered my first paid solo recital when I was twelve years old by a guitar aficionado who had shared a flat with Julian Bream. I walked on to the concert platform and played to a large concert hall to the general public and I was, frankly, terrified. But the sound of the guitar carried me though and I soon became lost in the pieces I played.
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I gave several recitals after that and a couple of years later for a BBC TV documentary about Spanish guitar. I played a tremolo piece ‘Campanas del Alba’ by Eduardo Sainz de la Maza and also an ensemble piece ‘The Bistro Kid’ specially written for the program by Patrick Benham, together with the composer and Michael Watson.
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I continued lessons from Gordon Saunders and Michael Watson at the Spanish Guitar Centre until I moved to London where I had lessons with Anthea Gifford and Hector Quine and studied towards performance LRAM.
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When I returned to Bristol, I was offered a teaching post at the Spanish Guitar Centre where I worked for the following 30 years.
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The Spanish Guitar Centre used to hold regular concerts which gave me the incredible opportunity to play some of the very best classical guitars and meet and learn from many memorable and fine performers. I played regular recitals, including duets with Michael Watson, which were occasionally broadcast on BBC radio.
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I built a good working knowledge of the repertoire, the music currently in print and all its different editions in order to advise on ability levels, grade syllabus, and the odd misprint! Throughout this time I also taught at three Bristol schools, and played music with my husband (a more than capable pianist), as well as taking a hand in his business and being a mum.
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