Guitar School
ACM's Guitar School, comprising its full time and part time Guitar Courses, is the beating heart and soul of ACM itself. Our drive and passion was highlighted by our namesake Eric Roche when he said: “The important thing for our tutors is to nurture the students’ natural talent and bring them to a place where they can be themselves and express themselves through music.“... > more
Guitar School - Introduction
Eric is irreplaceably missed by all who knew him, but the entire guitar teaching faculty of the ACM Eric Roche Guitar School is both proud and honoured to be able to continue to pass on his teaching methodology to all students on our full time and part time guitar courses. Eric’s aim was always to get the best out of every student and for them to discover their own ‘voice’ on their instrument. Eric is an example to us all that you can achieve great things through dedication, hard work and a positive work ethic, things that shone through in everything he did. These are the qualities that we look for in all potential students studying our guitar courses and those who possess them are ultimately the ones who are most successful. Everybody will take something different from the teaching and guitar courses provided, I’m sure there is something in there for you. Matt Haslett - Guitar School Manager
Guitar School - Facilities
FENDER TEACHING STUDIO
Students on our full time and part time guitar courses will enjoy our Fender teaching studio lined with ranks of classic Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters and a wall of Fender amps, this studio is ideal for teaching and rehearsals.
IBANEZ TEACHING SUITE
Last year we were delighted to unveil the new Ibanez teaching suite here at ACM for students on our various guitar courses. It houses an array of signature endorsee guitars from artists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and System of a Down. It also features a selection of the new range of Ibanez amplification alongside a compliment of Laney amps.
GIBSON TEACHING STUDIO
Guitar giants Gibson are a welcome addition to the ACM Guitar School, with the Gibson Teaching Studio being situated in ACM’s Global House building. The walls display iconic guitars from across the Gibson and Epiphone range.
VOX TEACHING STUDIO
The Vox Teaching Studio hosts an impressive range of Vox amps, as well as a wall of Vox AC30s.
The ACM Eric Roche Guitar School
“The guitar school curriculum works on a number of inter-related levels. Those levels are Theory, Practice and Performance – or if you prefer Mind, Body and Soul! There is an equal emphasis placed on the importance of each of these and to neglect any of them would create an imbalanced approach. Students who attend our guitar courses come to us with imbalances already – some have great technique but perhaps a poor aural ability, while others come to us with an impressive knowledge of musical theory but with debilitating stage nerves. When a student graduates from ACM they will have had hundreds of real life experiences from which they can draw on in their careers. In the modern world a well-rounded musician is one who has the right tools, practice, experience and attitude to adapt to a wide variety of musical situations. I am confident that the tutors and curriculum in the guitar school come together to help students achieve this.
The environment at ACM is also highly conducive to great teaching. The facilities and the staff are by far the best I have come across. It’s difficult not to teach well at ACM! Students will naturally shop around – it’s a big investment of time, energy and money on their behalf also. However it is clear to me that ACM has the best tutors, curriculum and facilities for students interested in a career in the modern music business.”
ERIC ROCHE, 1967-2005
Guitar School - Xtra
ACM runs a number of extra curricular events and activities for students on full time guitar courses (these extra curricular events also apply to vocals, bass, drums, music production and music business courses too). These may include:
• Blues Workshop - playing rhythm and lead ideas over common blues progressions.
• Metal Workshop - chance to come and rock out to an eclectic selection of metal tunes.
• Live Performance Workshops – a further opportunity to develop band skill techniques in a live performance environment.
• Perform with Confidence (for Diploma students) – a workshop concentrating on confidence building and anxiety management in performance.
• Blues Workshop - playing rhythm and lead ideas over common blues progressions.
• Metal Workshop - chance to come and rock out to an eclectic selection of metal tunes.
• Live Performance Workshops – a further opportunity to develop band skill techniques in a live performance environment.
• Perform with Confidence (for Diploma students) – a workshop concentrating on confidence building and anxiety management in performance.
