My name is Declan Collins, Musician and music teacher based in Galway.

Contact me at 086 2608235  or  Declanguitar@gmail.com

I have been playing Guitar for almost 50 years and I teach Guitar, Bass Guitar and Ukulele in Galway for any level.
With over 35 years teaching experience and over 40 years gigging, I have developed methods to help you learn quickly.
I will tailor each lesson to suit you and we will work to your needs.
All lessons are one to one, so you are going to learn exactly what you want every time.
For those who don't want to travel, I also offer lessons over zoom.
 

If you have been thinking about learning to play the Guitar, Bass or Ukulele..or want to improve, then phone, text or email me to arrange your first lesson. You will notice improvement instantly. 

Beginners

My lessons are focused only on the things you want to learn. You will learn using songs you like and choose.
I can show you how to play songs so that they fit your level of ability and show you the best way to practice them.
You will learn the things you need to know for Guitar, while still having fun playing to your favorite songs.
Within the first few lessons you can expect to know: how to tune your Guitar, how to strum, how to play several fingerstyle patterns and how to play 11 open chords .
You will learn how to Maintain good technique on left and right hands to minimize effort when playing. These are the basic tools you need to play songs.
You will receive customized instruction based on your learning style. My unique method for teaching Guitar chords and the basics of strumming will allow you to progress much faster and better than watching videos on YouTube or learning from a book.
One of the things that ensures people continue playing and enjoying the Guitar for years is to have the ability to figure out they're favourite songs themselves. This is something that most people can learn and it is one of the things I can teach.

Contact me at 086 2608235 or Declanguitar@gmail.com


Intermediate

I can take your playing to the next level.
Be it scales, chords, theory or improvising, I know how to take you out of that rut you are stuck in.
Maybe you want to explore new styles of music.. well I have experience in most styles of music from rock to jazz, country to blues, pop to folk.
If you are looking to start or join a band, my 40 years of experience gigging with just about every style of band will give you all the know how you need.
There will be no wasting time on pointless theory.. only the theory you need, and only when you want to learn it.
As much or as little theory as you want can be covered including the CAGED system and how to link it with pentatonics to move them around more easily.
We can examine your technique for any bad habits and fix them. This alone will show you instant improvement. I can also show you new techniques and teach you how to play with more accuracy and speed.
We will work on ear training and how to take what you hear in your head and transfer it to the Guitar.
If you haven't been making any progress lately then take some lessons with me... Make benefit of my years of experience.

Contact me at 086 2608235 or Declanguitar@gmail.com


Advanced

My almost 50 years of playing and finding the most efficient path to technical proficiency will help you learn all the advanced techniques and improvisational skills you've been pursuing without becoming frustrated or becoming stuck at one level for too long.
Tap harmonics, 2 handed tapping, hammer-ons/pull-offs, slides, bends, alternate picking and sweep picking techniques, as well as cross, hybrid and economy picking.. along with many fingerstyle patterns, advanced strumming patterns and playing with a metronome are amongst the technical aspects we will cover.
As much or as little theory as you want can be covered including the CAGED system and how to link it with Pentatonics to move them around more easily.
I have developed methods for learning the fret names that all my students agree are fast and have saved them a lot of time and work.
Scales, modes, intervals, chord construction, and any other theoretical concepts or patterns you've been interested in can be covered at your pace including...
Pentatonics (the most common 5 shapes as well as the extra 10 shapes that I use).
Modes (the most common 7 shapes as well as the extra 14 to 21 shapes).
Arpeggios (Major, minor, minor flat 5, diminished, augmented as well as further extensions)...as well as the concept of mixing 2 or more easier arpeggios to produce a more complicated one.
This idea applies to chord construction as well.
The 16 most common chords found in any key and how to solo over them.
I have knowledge and experience spanning almost 50 years playing, over 40 years gigging, and over 35 years teaching so there is a good chance that I can help you.

Contact me at 086 2608235 or Declanguitar@gmail.com

Songwriters

My many years of experience teaching people of all tastes of music gives me the knowledge to teach you the principles of music theory and the chordal vocabularies you need to take your songs to the next level.
I will increase your chord and key knowledge; teach you the concepts of rhythms and cross rhythms; show you the much misunderstood concept of inversions and how these can bring new life into your songs and introduce you to compound chords.
You will also learn how to compose for the rest of the band so that they will enhance your compositions.
I can teach you the rules of music theory and how and when to break them all so you can develop your own distinctive sound.
Lots of songwriters think that learning theory will restrict them to endless rules that they have to follow but that is not the case. It frees you up and speeds up your writing.
What if you had just come up with a nice E minor to A major chord sequence and were trying to find more chords that would work. Instead of trial and error trying every chord, if you knew that this was in the key of D you would instantly know of at least 10 other chords that would suit. This is one example of how theory will help you to write better songs and also help you to stop repeating yourself.
New strums and fingerstyles will also help you to write fresh new songs.
I have helped many songwriters over the years and I can help you too.

Contact me at 086 2608235 or Declanguitar@gmail.com

About me


I have lived in Galway all my life and been playing Guitar and Bass for nearly 50 years.
I've Played with just about every sort of band you could think of...from 2 piece bands to 30 piece.
 I've gigged in Ireland, Britain, France, Germany and America...played in front of crowds of up to 20,000 people.

I've probably learned or played or taught over 3000 songs of many different genres, and this has given me a lot of practical experience, gigging experience and a lot of theory.

I've written 2 musicals and been in an original band with 5 albums and some chart success. Check the videos below to see me play.


Contact me at 086 2608235 or Declanguitar@gmail.com

Frequently asked questions

How long is a class?

Classes are normally 30 minutes long..
However songwriters and extremely advanced students find 30 minutes too short and so for those lessons we can do an hour.

What days and times do you teach? 

I teach Monday to Friday 5pm to 9 pm.. and Saturday 9am to 4pm

Where are you located? 

If we're not doing an online lesson,I travel to your house provided you live in the city or it fits in with the current schedule. 

Do you provide lessons via Zoom? 

Yes. Zoom lessons are great because you don't have to travel.
I use a graphics tablet so I can write the notes on your screen and send them to you via email so you never loose them.
You an also record the lesson on your computer and watch it back whenever you want to go over something .

What ages and levels do you teach? 

I teach kids from 8 years to adults of any age. I teach all levels from beginner to advanced.

Should I start with an acoustic or electric Guitar? 

You should start with the Guitar that gets you most excited to play.

How quickly can I expect to progress? 

If you follow my practice routine and if you can practice even 15 minutes a day you will see progress in a matter of weeks.