TOM METCALFE MUSIC
TUITION
"To learn is the same as to teach, unless you are not teaching what you are learning."
Tom has over 15 years private teaching experience and is a trained workshop facilitator with full DBS clearance. Tom is particularly passionate about mentoring young people and guiding them through examinations of all kinds.
Tom's specialist areas are flamenco guitar, performance skills and music theory. Tom also teaches songwriting/composition, artist development and a vast array of instruments, including; acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, vocals, drumkit, djembe, cajon, bass guitar, mandolin, Irish bouzouki, tenor banjo (Irish), 5-string banjo, ukulele and harmonica.
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.
Tom's students have completed university degrees in music and gone on to forge their own careers in the industry. Tom is available to book for private music tuition in Manchester and online via Zoom.
Scroll down for testimonials!
TESTIMONIALS
What do Tom's students have to say?
Dylan Brierley
(singer-songwriter)
"Tom is someone I look up to massively, he has helped me to develop so much as a musician and helped me find my sound along the way. I would recommend him to anyone. Not matter what level, you would be able to pick up what you need from Tom."
Dylan has released four EPs of original music and performs regularly across West Yorkshire region.
Charlie Whittam
(singer-songwriter)
"I was awarded the top grade of Grade 9 (high A*) in GCSE Music, without Tom there is no way I would have achieved that. I can't thank Tom enough for all he has taught me over the years."
Upon leaving school, Charlie received the Longridge High School music award and now studies BTEC Music at Access Creative College in Manchester. He plans to progress onto a songwriting degree in London, followed by a career as a professional musician. He was recently featured on BBC Radio Manchester.
Harriet Forgan
(singer-songwriter)
"Tom’s lessons really made me confident with songwriting. I first came to him having only written a handful of songs and now I have written over 50 during lockdown and I have even put some of them in a musical which has had its debut in London!"
Harriet is now an actor, singer and songwriter, based in London. Her work includes writing the music and lyrics for the musical Mad For Our Daughters.
Will Barton
(djembe)
"I love learning how to play the djembe with Tom. The sessions are fun and I'm amazed by how far I've come in such a short space of time. I love how he teaches me the simplicity behind musical fundamentals and I'm beginning to see the correlation between music and life that I couldn't see before. It's great! Roll on the next session!"
Will is a personal trainer, men's coach and organises sober events with Tribe Gaia and Drywave in Manchester, UK.
Jaz Elliot
(electric guitar)
"Meeting Tom at that time in my life was fantastic. It sparked a possibility of a musical future for me. It opened so many doors in my head, through the positive and relaxed approach he has towards his craft. He ain’t just a teacher."
Jaz initially learned electric guitar with Tom in Preston in 2014 and he has since become the singer-songwriter and frontman of rock band The Avenhams. Jaz is now studying a degree in music at University of Salford and having music theory lessons with Tom to help with coursework.
Cllr Martyn Rawlinson
(guitar & ukulele)
"Tom gave me all the tools, materials and inspiration that I needed for my musical journey. He taught me ukulele and guitar from scratch. I now perform regularly, as well as running a local ukulele strumming group. It's hard to believe how much I've done since having those lessons."
Martyn now performs in several bands, including Ribble City V and a local community project funded by lottery money. He performed a solo gig of acoustic covers at Windrush Festival 2021 and also runs the Preston Ukulele Strummers Society.
BLKY
(rapper, songwriter & producer)
"Tom is an amazing teacher. He not only helped me get better at the things I wanted to work on, but he also introduced me to a variety of new styles, genres and instruments that I didn't know. He is an adaptable, caring and knowledgeable teacher who always goes above and beyond for his students. Even now, I know I can get in touch anytime and get reliable help."
Cllr Matthew Brown
(electric guitar)
Guitar lessons helped Matthew improve his technical ability and theoretical understanding, while serving as a welcome break from a busy work schedule, as the current leader of Preston City Council.
April Keen
(singer-songwriter)
"Tom is an extremely talented guitarist and a very patient and knowledgeable teacher. When I started lessons with him, I was really lacking in confidence and wanted to improve my skills. Tom's lessons gave me guidance on exactly what I needed to work on, which helped me become a much more confident performer and writer of music."
April is a singer-songwriter currently living in London. Her debut single 'Against The Tide' is available on Spotify and iTunes. She studied a degree in Creative Musicianship (Vocals) at British Institute of Modern Music in London, before completing a Primary Education Degree to become a primary school teacher.
Alex Hans
(acoustic guitar + music theory)
"Lesson have helped develop my musicianship and I feel inspired to research music theory after each lesson. Subjects like tetrachords and the harmonic series help me directly in my college subjects like Physics and Maths, as well as indirectly through creative, critical and abstract thinking."
Alex's outstanding academic achievements include getting Grade 9 (high A*) in all of his GCSE subjects, including Music, as well as Grade 8 (low A*) in Further Maths. Alex is currently attending Clitheroe Grammar 6th-form College and plans to study Computer Science at a prestigious university.
Guillermo Guerra
(flamenco guitar)
"Top guy and brilliant teacher. I did a few lessons with Tom and I made enormous progress in a very short amount of time. Highly recommended"
Jack Harkins
(bass)
"I wouldn’t be able to express myself if it wasn’t for the music lessons Tom gave me. Music has become a basis for a wider journey into the arts! He's a positive in many peoples lives."
Jack now performs as a bass player in several bands in the Preston area and studies Fine Art at university in Manchester.
Obyssia
(singer-songwriter)
"Tom is an inspiring teacher who helped me realise that I had potential in music. He improved my keyboard skills, songwriting, music theory and ear training abilities and even guided me through the university application and interview process. During my degree, I knew I could always rely on Tom for solid advice and support whenever I needed it."
Obyssia has just completed a degree in music from Leeds Beckett University with a grade of 2:1. She is releasing original material and now planning a postgraduate degree in music.
Aleyna Ekran
(guitarist and singer)
"Without Tom's help I don't think I would have passed GCSE Music! Lessons have helped me gain a lot of experience and confidence, despite sometimes struggling with schoolwork due to dyslexia and dyscalculia. It's been a great opportunity to perform with Tom and his other students at small events."
Aleyna now studies a creative and performance course at Runshaw College and plans to attend Access Creative College in Manchester next year, followed by a music degree.
PILLARS
(singer-songwriter)
Katy now lives in London and is performing and releasing original material under the name PILLARS. After completing both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, Katy now works at AIR Studios, managing sound engineers.
Abi Redmond-Best
(singer-songwriter)
Abi had guitar lessons from Tom before departing for university and again years later when studying piano and music theory.
Abi completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Music Production at London Metropolitan University and is now releasing original material and performing in the London area.
Sam Weaver
(singer-songwriter)
Near the start of his songwriting degree, Sam studied music theory and ear training with Tom. Sam recently graduated from BIMM Institutue in Manchester with a BA (hons) Songwriting.
Georgina Edwards
(electric guitar)
"100% recommended! Tom was my tutor for the best part of 2 years, absolutely amazing person and an incredibly understanding tutor.
I personally have autism and find it hard to deal with people, Tom understood that and actually managed to help me through the course."
Chris Lindley
(electric guitar)
"I have been learning electric guitar with Tom for several years and even had him performing at my Spanish-themed 60th birthday party! He brought a backing band and also played a set with Allie the flamenco dancer, which everyone loved! [pictured right] I've always enjoyed rock and indie music and playing guitar helps me relax from my day job as a lawyer."
