TOM METCALFE MUSIC
TOM METCALFE
Professional musician. Manchester, UK.
Tom is a performer, teacher and music theorist. Primarily a flamenco guitarist, he is vastly experienced multi-instrumentalist, session musician, songwriter/composer and workshop facilitator. He has performed in a diverse range projects and ensembles (see Projects).
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Education
In 2020, Tom was awarded a Master's Degree in Music (Performance) from University of Salford, achieving the top grade of Distinction, as well as the highest-ever performance mark on the course, for his role as a flamenco guitarist accompanying a dancer and singer. Tom's guitar teachers have included Galina Vale, Adam Palma, Nick Wilkinson, Glenn Sharp and Samuel Moore. Tom has attended workshops by flamenco musicians including Paco Pena, John Walsh, Jose Manuel Leon and Jose Alamarcha, as well as other workshops including British songwriter Martin Sutton at Band on the Wall.
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Tuition
Tom has over 15 years of teaching experience and is a trained workshop facilitator with full DBS clearance, currently taking on new students in Manchester, UK and online via Zoom. Tom's specialist subjects are flamenco guitar, music theory and performance skills, in addition to teaching electric, acoustic and bass guitar, piano, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, composition and artist development. (see Tuition page).
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Scales Research
Tom is researching heptatonic scales and has devised a colour-coded system of classification based on tetrachords and his non-conventional approach to tonality, which is influenced by flamenco, modal jazz, blues and folk. The system also incorporates Parent Scales, Scale Inversions, Negative Harmony, Brightness, Primary Triads and Chord-Scales. So far, the system has been taught to several dozen students with outstanding results (see Scales Research page).
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Minecraft Music School
The Minecraft Music School is a collaborative virtual sandbox environment created by Tom and a group of around 30 music students and professional musicians. It initially served as a proof-of-concept for the Scales Research, but has since expanded beyond music theory to include interactive machines that students can directly engage with on their instruments. Tom has received an unconditional offer for a PhD for this project from University of Salford and is now trying to secure funding to continue the research (see Minecraft Music School page).
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contact tommetcalfemusic@gmail.com
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REVIEWS
Respected Insights
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“Tom recently played at a Chamber of Commerce Networking Event. His flamenco style of music created a fabulous atmosphere and was enjoyed by everyone who attended. Tom’s easy-going personality and his delightful companion, Pip, are the perfect combination for any corporate event, and I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Phillip Murphy, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
December
2021
CORTO
"Tom has played at our place a few times now and he's brilliant! Introducing each song with a story is a great touch, and our drinkers love the skill and passion of his music."
Corto Bar, Clitheroe
December 2021
SALFORD CITY RADIO
"It was a pleasure to have Tom on my show many years ago. I still play his first EP from university days! Tom and I often travel around the country attending folk sessions and festivals. His guitarwork always leaves people speechless."
Rob Dunford (folk show), Salford City Radio
August 2021
BREAD RECORDS
"Tom makes even the most complicated theory easy to understand for budding guitarists; we've spoken to him about all kinds of scales and he's taught us a whole bunch! You'll surely be astounded at his guitarwork, so if you're looking for a guitar tutor, get in contact with Tom. One of the best around! He's also a session musician, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter/composer, so if you need anyone to jump in and help out on a track, get in touch with him."
Bread Records, Manchester
June 2021
LANCASHIRE EVENING POST
"Tom is a musician out to get the city's creative pulse pumping. The Preston-born flamenco guitarist is also a bona fide multi-instrumentalist who can teach everything from guitar, ukulele and banjo, to piano, harmonica and drums. Tom is also a member of the folk rock band Tom Metcalfe & The String Theorists, who are currently recording an album."
Lancashire Evening Post
September 2019
BILL LLOYD
"Guitarist Tom Metcalfe and dancer Allie Herrmann are the best English flamenco duo I have ever seen."
Bill Lloyd, Lake District
November 2018
THE MILL, ST CATHERINE'S HOSPICE
"Tom is an incredibly talented Flamenco guitarist who promises to bring the sounds of Spain to the evening!"
The Mill, St Catherine's Hospice Park, Preston
June 2018
UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
Tom was awarded the highest ever performance mark of 96 and received the top grade of Outstanding in every single assessment criteria in the Group Interaction in Performance module, on the MA Music (Performance) course.
"Tom is a natural performer and his guitar technique is breath-taking. His attention to detail and ability to communicate shines through, making him a gifted accompanist and formidable solo performer. We have invited Tom back to deliver a masterclass to our current student cohort."
University of Salford
May 2018
BBC RADIO SHROPSHIRE
"I was pleased to host Tom on my programme singing a World War One poem he set to music. I'd be happy to hear more of his work."
Genevieve Tudor's Sunday Folk, BBC Radio Shropshire.
September 2016
PRS FOR MUSIC
"Manchester singer-songwriter Tom Metcalfe is regarded by those in the know as one of the region’s best kept musical secrets. His unique blend of flamenco and folk has certainly made him stand out from the crowd in the North West’s open mic circuit. It’s this individuality which made him a natural choice for PRS for Music’s new Songs for Manchester initiative.
Launched by GoGo Penguin and Everything Everything last month, the collecting society’s new campaign sees five fast emerging, local songwriters spending the next month travelling around the city and writing songs."
M Magazine, PRS For Music,
October 2014
QUENCHED MUSIC
“His voice oozes maturity, there is such truth in the way he tells his stories you would believe he was actually there. Tom shows with tracks such as ‘Just Lads,’ he commands so much respect and attention from the audience. I think this could be a massive year for him as his EP comes out this year also so keep your ears and eyes peeled for the launch, it’s going to be one to be a part of."
Quenched Music, Manchester
January 2013
EGIGS
"Tom Metcalfe's stunning flamencoesque opening and couple of songs allow him to display the supreme skills he has to hand. This is a man whose acquaintance with a guitar is made to look as casual as most manage with a knife and fork."
e-gigs, Preston,
July 2011
BAND ON THE WALL
"Tom Metcalfe's beautiful blend of flamenco guitar and folk story-telling is one of the best kept secrets on the North West music scene."
Band on the Wall, Manchester
February 2010