Introduction

Hi, my name is Chris Downing and I'm a guitar and bass teacher and player in Wiltshire, England.  Welcome to my website.  You'll find lots of new material all the time as I regularly try to update with whatever I'm getting asked for, or whatever is interesting me at the time.  So, no corporate strategic thinking going on here then - this is supposed to be a break from all that big company stuff and day to day hurly burly.  Hope you enjoy it all.

Most people visit here because they are either my weekly students, have seen me play in pubs and clubs, or they've found me through a search engine because they either want to play better or learn to practice better. 

Well you're in the right place.  I've put these pages together to help you keep you moving forwards.  Or if you are a complete beginner I hope I can put you on the right track.  I know it's pretty easy to get stuck in a rut and play the same stuff over and over, then find you're not progressing past those few songs.  Here you'll find all sorts of ideas, resources, lessons and support materials to help you play better.

For my students these pages are used for resources, templates and links to useful sites; whether that's to buy some equipment or find new sites that offer insights other than my own.  If you're just a visitor you'll find this is a website that doesn't try to sell you a whole load of stuff - I don't need the money or the hassle to start heavyweight web-trading - there's a few items I can send you, but I'm primarily a player and teacher.  That's what I enjoy doing.  So relax - there's no selling coming later!

My students still from 5 years old to about 67 (I think), so age hasn't seemed to be an excuse to start or continue learning.  I've taught in a lot of different styles and a lot of different lesson forms, in groups and face to face sessions.  I've taught guitar and bass at a Secondary School, Primary School and in my studio with private students.  Everything you find here is a result of those experiences.  You'll find lesson plans, book lists, syllabuses, templates, chord charts, scale diagrams, practice sheets for your work diary.  And if you need to find work or want to become a teacher, I've included everything I've learnt about that as well.  Hope you enjoy what you find.

The Bands

I play in four bands locally; bass in a four piece local rock band called 'Fat Freddy's Cat', and guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin in 'Cocktail ROCK', a duo.  I've recently started to play some solo gigs - mostly instrumental pieces and ambience stuff for drinks parties and theme evenings.  And now the guys want to start a retro Blues Band called The Seth Kruger Band.  

Why Play?

My guitar has always been close at hand and a great 'friend'.  Nothing beats being able to sit down, and play a few classic songs and riffs to help chill out after a tough day.  So whether you plan to become a professional guitarist, or just a play for the sheer enjoyment of creating live music, you'll soon discover that playing in front of a big audience or just a handful of friends is every bit as exciting as you imagine it might be.  Speak to anyone who's done it - they're hooked!

These web-pages will give you some of the basics that I teach.  Here you'll find some help with your solos, common chord progressions, some theory demystified, finger exercises, and even a few videos and audios so you can experience a lesson or two, as though we're one to one in the practise room.