AUCKLAND GUITAR SCHOOL
DEPOT ARTSPACE
Auckland Guitar School with Dylan Kay
Depot Artspace with Amy Saunders
Anyone can play guitar
Dylan Kay
“I couldn’t possibly play guitar - I’m too old / not talented enough / no-one in my family plays / my hands are too small…” There are many excuses for not trying, but here’s the good news. In 25-plus years of teaching many hundreds of students, I can count on one hand the people who I genuinely felt couldn’t learn guitar. Of those, one is still having lessons with us seven years later and sounding great! Don’t you have to start really young? You can… but you don’t have to. Maybe you’ve always wanted to play but not had the chance – the beauty of choosing to play later in life is that you have more control over your time, and with the right guidance, you can make the most of it! Surely you need to be really “talented”? In short, no. There isn’t space here for a long explanation, but I’d recommend reading the book “Bounce” by Matthew Syed which explores the myth of talent through examples in all disciplines, from Tiger Woods to Mozart. So, what does it take? In my experience, becoming a good guitar player takes three things: the right guidance and support, commitment, and perseverance. Put simply, with the right teacher and the right attitude it is amazing what you can achieve.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to play but not had the chance – the beauty of choosing to play later in life is that you have more control over your time… Do I need a teacher? You might be lucky – you might just happen to find the right content online and choose to go looking for it at the right time, in the right order, and you might by chance practise it all correctly and make good progress. That’s a lot of ifs! In our experience, most people make very slow and patchy progress when trying to teach themselves. Put simply, having a good teacher will help you make faster, more certain progress.
Depot Artspace, Devonport
Amy Saunders
The Depot is a creative hub in the heart of Devonport with two gallery spaces, a music studio and workshop and networking areas used for our creative careers and employment programmes. A lot of people don’t realise that we work with creatives across various stages of their careers and try to help them either find employment or develop a sustainable creative career. Our team are experts in their fields of career support and guidance and their commitment and support of the creatives they work with is something we’re very proud of. And of course we are also very proud of our volunteer whanau who help keep our doors open and are very special to us. This week we want to introduce local artist and Depot Volunteer, Judy Rogers who is also taking part in our creative careers programme, Wayfind Creative. Judy: I’m a self-taught artist known for blending of recycled, organic mediums resulting in ‘Steampunk’ creations. I don’t use glue but weld/nail/screw elements in my creations as a way of maintaining a sustainable practice. I’ve been volunteering at the Depot for 2.5 years and it’s Judy Rogers. been a huge contributor to my creative confidence as an artist. I love being part of The Depot family and I look forward to being involved in the continual, ever changing exhibitions and giving back to the community as a volunteer each week. I joined Wayfind Creative in June and already it has been so valuable to me. The workshops have enabled me to connect with other like-minded creatives and have provided me with invaluable information, tools and techniques resulting in the growth of my business already. I’ve genuinely felt quite mind blown and empowered after each session. www.judyrogers.co.nz. Wayfind Creative is an exciting new programme for creatives who are looking to take control of their careers and create a financially viable, sustainable and deeply rewarding career. Find out more or sign up to Wayfind Creative today www.depotartspace.co.nz/ wayfindcreative/ Depot Galleries are taking submissions for our annual Members Show:depotartspace.co.nz/exhibit-here/ Coming up at Depot Galleries:
See you next month! Dylan Kay, Auckland Guitar School, Howick and Takapuna, Auckland "Transform your playing." 09 533 5246 www.aucklandguitarschool.co.nz
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 124 - September-October 2021
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