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Lessons for Adults

Lessons for Kids

Skype Lessons

Video Lessons

Acoustic Guitar Lessons

Electric Guitar Lessons

Bass Guitar Lessons

Ukulele Lessons

Skype Lessons

Lap Steel

Banjo

Mandolin & Mandola

Cigar Box Guitar

Welcome to Coda Tuition

Expert music tuition is available in all styles, for all ages and abilities. Lessons are held both online (via Skype, Zoom etc), and in a relaxed and friendly environment in a central Wakefield location (WF1), with free parking and easy access to bus services. 

Students can learn at their own pace with lessons tailored to suit all learning styles. You can choose to play as a relaxing hobby, develop quickly through accelerated learning, focus on grade exams or as support for GCSE, A level and HE courses.

Coda Guitar is run by a fully DBS checked professional tutor with over 20 years teaching, and 35 years playing experience. During this time he has worked as a private music tutor in West Yorkshire, alongside working for schools, colleges and music services across the region. He also has a performance, production and composition career spanning over 20 years.

Cigar Box Guitar Scores

Please visit our other website for PDF downloads linking to the YouTube lessons for Cigar Box Guitar, on the Coda Tuition channel: https://codatuition.com

Lessons

Lessons for Adults

Lessons for Adults

Music classes cater for students of all ages and abilities from across West Yorkshire including: Wakefield; Batley; Barnsley; Castleford; Dewsbury; Huddersfield; Ossett; Pontefract and Leeds. Coda Guitar is run by a DBS checked tutor with over 20 years teaching, and 35 years playing experience. We teach students of primary school age through to retirement age, and help people to play their favourite music styles, learning as an enjoyable hobby.

Classes are held at a convenient WF1 location with free parking and easy access to bus services. A dedicated music room is used for tuition containing an extensive sheet music library, 1000s of digital song scores, practise amps, spare instruments and free WiFi access. Standard lessons are one to one and group lessons can be arranged on request. Please contact if you wish to discuss Skype lessons or learning from home.

Music classes are tailored to suit students’ tastes and cover: rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more. Whether you’re looking to learn for fun, complete music grades or GCSE / A-levels, lessons are always structured around your requirements.

Home practice aids compliment lessons, including: printed music scores (tab); playalong tracks; online student folder access; recommended practice apps; audio + video demos for student phones.

Advice on purchasing new instruments is offered (including to new students before their first lesson). Coda Guitar offers instrument set up, string changing and repair services to students, and can refer bigger jobs to other professionals.

Lessons are available for guitar, bass, ukulele and more… See our instruments section for more information.

Excellent Teacher! Provides first rate tuition in a wide range of musical styles and genres, for students of all ages and abilities. If you want to prepare for music grade exams, improve specific aspects of your playing, or simply learn to play for your own pleasure, this is the place to go 🙂
Charles Milnes, Wakefield

Lessons for Kids

Lessons for Kids

Music classes for primary school children require a different approach to those for teenagers and adults. Our tutor is fully DBS checked and has over 20 years experience of teaching younger students.

Coda Guitar accepts new students from school year 1 and above, and we’re happy for children to learn on acoustic and electric guitars, and ukuleles. Smaller sized nylon string guitars or ukuleles are usually recommended for beginners, but we’re happy to teach budding rock stars with electric guitars!

Classes should be fun, interesting and reflect a more gradual development of music skills. They often revolve around using ‘The Guitarst’s Way‘ tuition books, which give younger students a good foundation in playing and reading music, and offer progression onto ABRSM classical grade exams. Children can also learn using Rockschool books, which can lead to rock and pop grades for electric and acoustic guitar, and ukulele. Students usually learn different styles over time, so the initial approach is chosen to suit individuals and the type of instrument.

Our youngest students start learning without formal music, and develop their skills through matching notes to coloured dots and learning classics such as Twinkle Twinkle and Old MacDonald! They are usually able to progress onto music books after a short time. Sometimes guitars can be too big for younger students, but can be adapted through fitting a capo on the neck and retuning the strings.

Parents are encouraged to sit in on lessons and participate in their child’s learning experience. Classes are held at a convenient WF1 location and students are welcome from Wakefield, Batley, Castleford, Dewsbury, Ossett, Leeds and the surrounding area. If travel is difficult, there is also the possibility of learning from home.

Sion has been teaching my 8 year old daughter Mabel for a while now. He is very patient with her, and allows her to learn in a fun relaxed environment. She really looks forward to her lessons every week, and is doing great! Would definitely recommend.
Claire Burdekin, parent of Mabel, Wakefield

Skype Lessons

Skype Lessons

Coda Guitar offers Skype music lessons to those students who want the benefits of tailored, face to face tuition from the comfort of their own home. Lessons are available for guitar, bass, ukulele and more (see our instruments section for more information). Our tutor has over 20 years teaching, and 35 years playing experience, and is fully DBS checked. Lessons are also offered using alternate platforms: Zoom, Google Hangouts or Meet, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.

Skype lessons are effectively the same as face to face lessons, in that it’s possible for our tutor quickly correct posture and technique issues (through observation and demonstration), and that lessons are entirely focused on the requirements of individual students (when compared to online video lessons). Lessons are always tailored to suit individual tastes, and cover a wide range of styles across different ability levels. Whether you’re looking to learn for fun, complete music grades or need help with school / college courses, Skype lessons can be just as effective in aiding development as face to face lessons.

Lesson plans are established prior to Skype sessions, and PDF scores, audio + video demos, backing tracks and useful online links are shared to support lessons and aid home practice. New scores can easily be prepared using Guitar Pro and Sibelius applications, and new audio + video demos can be produced using Coda Guitar’s music studio, centered around the Cubase Pro 9 recording suite, and a Logitech C922 web cam.

A detailed record of lesson progression is kept to ensure that students develop their playing in a thorough and efficient way, and our tutor is available to answer queries in between sessions.

As with face to face lessons, the first Skype lesson is only £10 for 60 minutes, so students can experience the format before deciding to commit to regular lessons.

First class guitar tutor. Sion is extremely patient, and always has suggestions as to what to learn next, and what to practice at home. He always remembers to contact me to arrange a lesson, and is extremely accommodating with which days and times he can offer, which is invaluable as I work shifts and can’t make regular appointments. Highly recommended.
Andrew Kitson, Wakefield

Instruments

Electric Guitar

Electric Guitar

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers all styles to suit students’ musical tastes. You can learn as a hobby, follow accelerated learning, work towards music grade exams, or GCSE + A-level courses.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, while introducing new techniques to allow the development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library available, and new requests can be sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in electric guitar lessons include:

  • picking / fretting hand technique + posture
  • open / barre / moveable / power chords
  • strumming / arpeggiating and palm muting
  • riffs using scales + arpeggios
  • Soloing / improvisation + lead techniques
  • advanced styles: harmonics, tapping + sweep picking / chordal improvising / soloing in different styles – blues + rock + jazz / modulation and modal pieces / hybrid picking
  • theory + composition
  • guitar maintenance

Tuition for passing grade exams offered for Rockschool and RGT syllabuses (exam centres located in Barnsley and Leeds). Students have been entering for exams for over 15 years, with over 150 successfully completed grades to date (debut to grade 8).

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please contact if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

I only took up the guitar in my late 40s, never having played any instrument before and quickly began to enjoy it. I don’t always have the time or the inclination to practice but Sion is always encouraging and patient. He’s guided me to merits in grade 3 and 4 rock guitar and always has a range of suggestions of what I can attempt next. Lessons are always relaxed yet challenging. It’s great to feel like I’m making progress. Looking forward to grade 5.
Jane Taylor, Wakefield

Acoustic Guitar

Acoustic Guitar

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

  • Areas covered in steel string acoustic guitar lessons include:
    picking / fretting hand technique + posture for general playing
  • fingerpicking / hybrid picking
  • open / barre / moveable chords
  • strumming and arpeggiating techniques
  • riffs using scales + arpeggios
  • acoustic soloing + improvisation + lead techniques
  • alternate tunings (open tunings + DADGAD etc)
  • advanced styles: rhythmic acoustic playing / harmonics + tapping / jazz chord + melody styles / solo blues + roots styles / slide guitar
  • theory + composition relating to acoustic styles
  • guitar maintenance: string changing + set ups

Tuition for passing grade exams in acoustic guitar playing is offered for Rockschool and RGT syllabuses (exam centres located in Barnsley and Leeds). Coda Tuition has been entering students for exams for over 15 years, and has over 150 successfully completed grades to date (from debut to grade 8 level).

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

We’re thrilled with Luke’s progress who only started 4 months ago. It has been fantastic to listen to him develop his skills, from the initial sounds to tunes in such a short space of time. He is not only playing the guitar but also beginning to read music. Luke is really enjoying his lessons. He is learning different styles at a pace which suits him, this has inspired his own taste in music.
Karen Hodgkinson, parent of Luke, Leeds

Classical Guitar

Classical Guitar

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in nylon string classical guitar lessons include:

  • picking / fretting hand technique + posture for general playing
  • notation reading (music in tablature format is also available)
  • development of thumb + finger technique for solo pieces
  • beginner level studies + exercises + easy pieces
  • intermediate and advanced level solo pieces, including works by Bach + Carulli + Tarrega etc
  • the option to work from established classical method course books, or to focus on selected works to suit student tastes
  • modern classical styles and related styles appropriate for nylon sting guitars (ragtime + blues + jazz etc)
  • arrangements of popular songs for classical guitar
  • alternate tunings
  • theory + composition relating to classical styles
  • string changing + guitar maintenance

Tuition for passing grade exams in classical guitar playing is offered for ABRSM and Trinity syllabuses (exam centres located in Wakefield, Harrogate, Sheffield and York). Coda Tuition has been entering students for exams for over 15 years, and has over 150 successfully completed grades to date (from debut to grade 8 level).

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

Sion has been teaching my son for close to 3 years. My son has passed grade 3 in classical guitar. Sion is extremely patient with him and is very organised in his teaching methods. Overall an excellent tutor. Highly recommended.
Chandar Kothapalli, parent of Ruthvik, Wakefield

Bass Guitar

Bass Guitar

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in fretted bass guitar lessons include:

  • picking / fretting hand technique + posture for general playing
  • fingerstyle and plectrum technique at beginner level and above
  • slap technique at intermediate level and above
  • bass lines using scales and riffs
  • bass lines following chord progressions
  • bass lines using variations and improvised fills
  • rhythmical development / playing with a band + drum beat
  • improvised solos and lead techniques
  • advanced techniques: chord playing / tapping / harmonics
  • theory + composition relating to bass playing
  • bass guitar maintenance including string changing and set ups

Tuition for passing grade exams in bass guitar playing is offered for Rockschool and RGT syllabuses (exam centres located in Barnsley and Leeds). Coda Tuition has been entering students for exams for over 15 years, and has over 150 successfully completed grades to date (from debut to grade 8 level).

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

Joe has been receiving lessons for 12 months and his progress both in practical and music reading terms, I can only describe as remarkable, bearing in mind Joe could not read a note of music prior to commencing lessons. Joe looks forward to attending lessons and I would recommend Sion as a tutor to others without hesitation.
Peter Doody, grandparent of Joe, Crofton

Ukulele

Ukulele

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in ukulele lessons include:

  • basic technique + posture for general playing + using a sling strap
  • playing using fingerpicking + ukulele felt pick
  • open / barre / moveable chords
  • strumming and arpeggiating techniques
  • riffs using scales + arpeggios
  • how to play in a group + learning solo pieces
  • arrangements of popular songs for ukulele
  • advanced styles: jazz / blues + roots / classical
  • theory + composition relating to ukulele
  • string changing + ukulele maintenance

Tuition for passing grade exams in ukulele playing is offered for the Rockschool and RGT syllabuses (exam centres located in Barnsley and Leeds). Coda Tuition has been entering students for exams for over 15 years, and has over 150 successfully completed grades to date (from debut to grade 8 level).

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

Sion has been teaching my 8 year old daughter Mabel for a while now. He is very patient with her, and allows her to learn in a fun relaxed environment. She really looks forward to her lessons every week, and is doing great! Would definitely recommend.
Claire Burdekin, parent of Mabel, Wakefield

Mandolin

Mandolin

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in mandolin / mandola lessons include:

  • plectrum technique and developing picking fluency
  • playing chords and strumming techniques
  • how to use scales to play melodies and riffs
  • playing in different styles including: folk + blues + jazz
  • arrangements of popular songs for mandolin + mandola
  • improvising using chords + scales + lead techniques
  • theory + composition relating to mandolin + mandola
  • maintenance including string changing and set ups

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home. Please contact if you’re interested in finding out information regarding grade exams for mandolin + mandola playing.

Sion has taught my son since the age of five, he has passed grade one well and is working towards grade two. Sion is very patient with kids and an excellent teacher. I would highly recommend him.
Angela Townend, parent of William, Wakefield

Banjo

Banjo

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in banjo lessons include:

  • 5 string technique using open G tuning
  • 4 string tenor banjo technique in C tuning or Irish G tuning
  • fingerstyle and plectrum technique
  • typical banjo styles including: Bluegrass / Irish Folk / Trad. Jazz
  • arrangements of popular songs for banjo
  • improvising using chords + scales + lead techniques
  • theory + composition relating to banjo
  • banjo maintenance including string changing and set ups

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home. Please contact if you’re interested in finding out information regarding grade exams for banjo playing.

My daughter has been learning guitar with Sion for a few years now. Beyond teaching her the basic technique of being able to play he has also been supportive and encouraged her to express her own creativity (by writing her own pieces for example), allowing her to learn the type of music that she is most interested in and changing from acoustic to electric guitar when she developed an interest in doing so.
Lisa Vercelli, parent of Laura, Wakefield

Lap Steel

Lap Steel

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in lap steel lessons include:

  • different tunings including: C6 for country and jazz; open G / D for blues and roots
  • fingerstyle technique, including using thumb + finger picks
  • slide + bar technique for the fretting hand + muting techniques
  • playing chords and single note melodies using a bar + slide
  • playing songs in different styles
  • arrangements of popular songs for lap steel
  • improvising solos and chord progressions
  • lead techniques including: hammer ons + pull offs / harmonics / slanted and angled bar + slide positions
  • theory + composition relating to lap steel guitar
  • lap steel maintenance including string changing and set ups

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

My friend who is in his seventies, and had never played any guitar previously, always wanted to play steel guitar. He thought he had left it too late to learn, but Sion is such a good tutor, patient and encouraging him to learn at his own pace, that my friend is now able to play the music he enjoys.
Judith Cass, Batley

Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar

Coda Tuition caters for players of all ages and abilities, and covers styles to suit students’ musical tastes: from rock to metal; jazz to blues; country to folk; indie to pop; funk to reggae; classical and more..

You can learn at your own pace whether it’s for fun, following accelerated learning, working towards grade exams, completing GCSE and A-level courses, or if you need help with auditions.

Lessons are often based around learning songs which reflect students’ tastes, and introduce new techniques allowing a development of musical ability and understanding. There is an extensive music library to draw from, and new requests can be easily sourced online or transcribed by ear.

Areas covered in cigar box guitar lessons include:

  • lessons for both 3 and 4 string guitars
  • standard GDG 3 string tuning plus alternate tunings
  • standard GDGB 4 string tuning plus alternate tunings
  • plectrum and fingerstyle technique
  • how to play notes with a slide
  • how to play effective blues progressions
  • how to use scales to play melodies and riffs
  • playing chords and strumming technique
  • how to play and adapt famous songs for cigar box guitar
  • improvising using chords + scales + lead techniques
  • CBG maintenance including string changing and set ups

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

The lessons are really good and interesting. The songs are challenging but fun to learn and I find that I pick it up quickly.
Matthew Bartlam, age 8, Castleford

Music Theory

Music Theory

Coda Tuition offers lessons working towards passing formal music theory exams. There are several syllabuses available and these often depend on the preferred instrumental styles of students:

  • Tuition in classical music theory is available for grades 1-8 using ABRSM and Trinity syllabuses
  • Tuition in rock / pop music theory is available for grades 1-8 using Rockschool and RGT syllabuses

Support for students studying music at GCSE / A level + above, is offered in all aspects of the courses including:

  • performance exam preparation
  • written exam preparation
  • written theory + listening test preparation
  • composition + arrangement for specific briefs

Instrumental lessons through Coda Tuition contain elements of useful music theory, relevant to the practical songs and exercises covered. The depth of theory covered in support of instrumental lessons is usually determined by the age of the student, and their overall interest in theory to accompany their practical playing.

Typically, theory supporting instrumental lessons includes:

  • reading notation and tablature; scale and chord construction
  • theory in improvisation (using different scales and chords)
  • understanding key signatures + chords within keys
  • understanding time signatures + playing in different times
  • theory relating to different music styles
  • composition and arranging

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

Great music teacher lessons are taken by Sion BA(hons) music in a relaxed comfortable atmosphere. I’ve been taking lessons now for two years and Sion has helped me pass music exams and understand music theory highly recommended.
Paul Gibson, Castleford

Composing & Recording

Composing & Recording

Coda Tuition offers lessons in studio recording + production, alongside instrumental tuition. Our recording studio is available and is centred around the Cubase Pro 9 recording suite. Students can use our studio for various activities, including:

  • audio + video demo recordings (for online promotion + auditions)
  • studying the recording process including – computer based recording / mic techniques for different instruments / mixing + use of effects / production + mastering
  • composing using music applications including – virtual instruments + effects / multi track instrument + vocal recording
  • applied composing and production for film + visual media / live theatrical performance

Tuition is available for students who have their own recording set ups including: PC + Mac applications / smartphone + tablet applications (garage band etc).

Support for students studying music at GCSE / A level + above, is offered including: recording performance pieces / composition + arrangement. For those interested, it is also possible to study towards music production grade exams through Rockschool.

Students can also learn about video production using Adobe Premiere and the Adobe Creative Suite.

Instrumental lessons through Coda Tuition contain elements of composition, relevant to the practical songs and exercises covered. The amount of composition material introduced in instrumental lessons is usually determined by the age of the student, and their overall interest in composing and song writing.

Typically, composition elements for instrumental lessons include:

  • song writing + instrumental composition
  • understanding scales and chords
  • key signatures + creating chord progressions and melodies in different keys
  • composing using major + minor keys / blues + chromatic approaches
  • key changing and modulation (used in rock + pop / jazz + classical styles)
  • Including accidental notes + chords in progressions + melodies
  • using modal scales
  • arranging for ensembles in different styles

Students are welcome from across West Yorkshire, including: Wakefield; Pontefract; Castleford; Ossett; Dewsbury; Barnsley; Batley; Huddersfield and Leeds. Please see our lessons section if you’re interested in Skype lessons or wish to discuss learning from home.

First class guitar tutor. Sion is extremely patient, and always has suggestions as to what to learn next, and what to practice at home. He always remembers to contact me to arrange a lesson, and is extremely accommodating with which days and times he can offer, which is invaluable as I work shifts and can’t make regular appointments. Highly recommended.
Andrew Kitson, Wakefield

Tutor

Lessons are taught by Sion Littledyke, a 1st class music graduate of Leeds University, with over 25 years tuition experience, and over 40 years playing experience.

Students regularly enter for grade exams in guitar (electric, acoustic and classical), bass guitar, ukulele and music theory, with over 200 music grades achieved through ABRSM, Rockschool, RGT and Trinity. Several students have completed grade 8 exams and some have progressed onto FE and HE courses at local colleges and universities.

Sion also has experience of working in schools through Kirkless, Leeds, Leicester and Wakefield music services, and FE colleges in Bridlington, Hull and Leicester through Access to Music.

Sion has composition / production experience with Coda Productions (including broadcast credits), and regularly performs nationally on guitar and bass, including at Download, Guilfest and Mathew St Festivals.

Prices

General Pricing

General Pricing

30 minute lesson - £13
60 minute lesson - £25

Please contact to discuss reduced rates for low income households or those receiving benefits

Regular Student Discounts are also available

New Student Discounts

New Student Discounts

First 60 minute lesson for only £13Or first 30 minute lesson for £7
Claim your free lesson!When you pre-pay for five

Gift Receipts Available

Lessons for friends & family for special occasions

 Buy your music loving friends and family something different; music classes for guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin and more! The perfect gift for Christmas and birthdays if you’re looking for a present which is slightly out of the ordinary.

Printed gift receipts accompany all gift bookings, and discounts are available when block booking several classes (see our new student discount offers). Other discount gift packages can be negotiated if you give us a call.

Videos

All students receiving face to face lessons are given free access to Coda Tuition, which offers scores and video lessons for Cigar Box Guitar.

Technique tips, exercises and song lessons are available, and each video is accompanied by downloadable scores (TABS).

New content is regularly added and you can check out our YouTube Channel where there are exclusive roots and blues lessons for Cigar Box Guitar.

Scores & Backing Tracks

Backing Tracks

Backing Tracks

Most of these backing tracks have been recorded in the Coda studio, with the others sourced online and edited to suit specific performances such as grade exams, where specific track lengths are required. There are plenty more available for use in lessons, and new backing tracks can be sourced on request:

Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Greenday: Grade 1 Arrangement

Hysteria, Muse: Full Track (Coda Guitar recording)

Hysteria, Muse: Backing Track

Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine: Full Track (Coda Guitar)

Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine: Backing Track

Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder: Full Track

Sweet Child O’ Mine, Guns n’ Roses: Full Mix (Coda Guitar)

Sweet Child O’ Mine, Guns n’ Roses: Backing Mix

Times Like These, Foo Fighters: Grade 3 Arrangement

Can’t Stop, Red Hot Chili Peppers: Full Track (Coda Guitar)

Can’t Stop, Red Hot Chili Peppers: Backing Track

Mr Brightside, The Killers: Full Track (Coda Guitar)

Mr Brightside, The Killers: Backing Track

Nightrain, Guns n’ Roses: Grade 6 Arrangement

Wake Me Up When September Ends, Greenday: Full Track (Coda Guitar)

Wake Me Up When September Ends, Greenday: Backing Track

Testimonials

The lessons are really good and interesting. The songs are challenging but fun to learn and I find that I pick it up quickly.
Matthew Bartlam, age 8, Castleford
First class guitar tutor. Sion is extremely patient, and always has suggestions as to what to learn next, and what to practice at home. He always remembers to contact me to arrange a lesson, and is extremely accommodating with which days and times he can offer, which is invaluable as I work shifts and can’t make regular appointments. Highly recommended.
Andrew Kitson, Wakefield
My daughter has been learning guitar with Sion for a few years now. Beyond teaching her the basic technique of being able to play he has also been supportive and encouraged her to express her own creativity (by writing her own pieces for example), allowing her to learn the type of music that she is most interested in and changing from acoustic to electric guitar when she developed an interest in doing so.
Lisa Vercelli, parent of Laura, Wakefield
Sion has been teaching my 8 year old daughter Mabel for a while now. He is very patient with her, and allows her to learn in a fun relaxed environment. She really looks forward to her lessons every week, and is doing great! Would definitely recommend.
Claire Burdekin, parent of Mabel, Wakefield
My friend who is in his seventies, and had never played any guitar previously, always wanted to play steel guitar. He thought he had left it too late to learn, but Sion is such a good tutor, patient and encouraging him to learn at his own pace, that my friend is now able to play the music he enjoys.
Judith Cass, Batley
Sion has taught my son since the age of five, he has passed grade one well and is working towards grade two. Sion is very patient with kids and an excellent teacher. I would highly recommend him.
Angela Townend, parent of William, Wakefield
We’re thrilled with Luke’s progress who only started 4 months ago. It has been fantastic to listen to him develop his skills, from the initial sounds to tunes in such a short space of time. He is not only playing the guitar but also beginning to read music. Luke is really enjoying his lessons. He is learning different styles at a pace which suits him, this has inspired his own taste in music.
Karen Hodgkinson, parent of Luke, Leeds
Great music teacher lessons are taken by Sion BA(hons) music in a relaxed comfortable atmosphere. I’ve been taking lessons now for two years and Sion has helped me pass music exams and understand music theory highly recommended.
Paul Gibson, Castleford
Sion has been teaching my son for close to 3 years. My son has passed grade 3 in classical guitar. Sion is extremely patient with him and is very organised in his teaching methods. Overall an excellent tutor. Highly recommended.
Chandar Kothapalli, parent of Ruthvik, Wakefield
Joe has been receiving lessons for 12 months and his progress both in practical and music reading terms, I can only describe as remarkable, bearing in mind Joe could not read a note of music prior to commencing lessons. Joe looks forward to attending lessons and I would recommend Sion as a tutor to others without hesitation.
Peter Doody, grandparent of Joe, Crofton