Teaching by Steve Banks _
Improvisation, composition and applied theory.
Based in Bristol, UK. In person and online lessons.
Steve Banks - Tutor of improvisation, composition and applied theory
I am passionate about education and have spent a long time developing and refining clear communication, encouraging real expression and awareness with effective and engaging practice methods.
“I’ve been looking for this approach in my guitar playing for some time. It’s wonderful to finally find it”
Alongside private tuition, I have designed and taught degree courses and workshops for individuals, groups and ensembles across the UK since 2007, also preparing jazz students for undergraduate and post-graduate study at UK conservatoires.
Understanding and applying harmony
Developing a strong groove
Melodic phrasing
Chord voicing
Aural awareness
Repertoire
Playing in an ensemble
Effective and engaging practice methods
Composition
Testimonials _
“Having studied with some of the best musicians and educators in the country, I can safely say Steve is the best teacher I’ve had, rapidly improving my playing and musicianship in our three years of lessons together.
Steve makes sure every lesson addresses my playing directly, with all teaching material covered in great detail and explained in a clear and easy to understand way, as well as always ensuring everything is applied to real life musical situations.
Steve’s enthusiastic and relaxed approach made all my lessons enjoyable and inspiring, helping me gain a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music.”
— MATT HURLEY - GUITARIST & COMPOSER, GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC GRADUATE
“Working with Steve this year has been one of the most influential projects in which I have been involved. I particularly enjoyed the collaborative nature of our sessions. Steve balanced a clear, analytical approach with intuition in a way which taught me technical aspects whilst developing my instinctive compositional awareness. Importantly, he has given me the tools to develop independently and supported me to establish a strong foundation in my approach to composition.
The opportunity to hear my work realised live by such amazing musicians at a major venue was very impactful for me. I feel very lucky to have been involved in this project with Steve and am very much looking forward to the next phase of arranging my composition to perform with jazz orchestra.“
— THOMAS SLADDEN - PIANIST & COMPOSER, GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC
“My lessons with Steve are always so productive and have significantly helped my study. Steve’s guidance always inspires me to improve in many areas of musicianship and has extended my awareness of what is possible on the guitar.”
— JONNY OAKLEY - GUITARIST, ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
“Steve has taught me to be much more thoughtful and constructive in my work, providing a strong awareness of how the music I love is designed. I have found myself writing simpler and more effectively. Essentially, the most valuable aspect of Steve’s teaching was a clear explanations of his compositional process and how I can apply this to my own writing.”
— NATHANIEL EVANS - SAXOPHONIST & COMPOSER, ROYAL BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATOIRE
“Steve’s love for music comes across during his lessons in the most natural and encouraging manner. Being taught music as a language, from the foundation up, really opened my eyes to many previously undiscovered areas for myself as an instrumentalist and composer.
His teaching style is always calm, allowing students to be illuminated by deep and often profound musical concepts. However, Steve is equally as adept at framing these crucial ideas into ‘real-world’ professional situations.
Every improvisation class Steve taught was a joy. He managed to turn a subject that students find nerve-racking into my favourite class at BIMM! Not only did I feel supported and massively inspired to work on my craft as a musician but I also gained a lot of confidence in expressing my ‘voice’ and personality through music.
Steve’s teachings will last a lifetime, helping me to continue my learning journey beyond the confines of university. Better get practicing!”
— JOE HILL – BASSIST & COMPOSER, BIMM GRADUATE
“My lessons with Steve have really improved my guitar playing and confidence as he explains musical foundations in a practical, creative, and easily understandable way. As well as being a great guitar teacher, Steve gives great advice and wisdom that comes from years of experience performing and teaching that have been invaluable to my development as a musician.”
— REUBEN FACHON – GUITARIST, TRINITY LABEN CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC
The mentoring programme with Steve was an exciting and valuable experience. The process of our composition classes with the final concert presenting our original work at St George’s was perfect. Steve had prepared a lot of material and concepts that were extremely useful and inspiring and the classes always included a focussed, creative and collaborative atmosphere.”
— KOLYA DAVYDENKO - GUITARIST & COMPOSER, ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
“Steve demonstrated how to take my practice to the next level by clearly explaining musical elements, revealing how to practise effectively and encouraging me to pursue my own direction. He also gave me valuable music industry knowledge. All this really helped me get a place at Leeds Conservatoire for which I am truly thankful.”
— LOUIS CRYER - GUITARIST, LEEDS CONSERVATOIRE“