Testimonials

Catherine Barteau (Maidenhead):
Mike’s teaching of guitar is thorough, precise, fun and always encouraging. His choice of songs represents a good challenge and thus keeps you interested. As those songs are quite diverse (rock, funk, pop, etc.), we cover a lot of techniques and also music theory while trying to keep an instinctive “feel” of the music. I would definitely recommend Mike as a guitar teacher.

Andrew Cummins (Bracknell):
Great guy, great guitar player, great teacher. The fact I've just signed up for my 4th set of lessons should tell you everything you need to know!

Mark Dale (Wokingham):
Mike is a great guitar teacher whose enthusiasm has revived my enjoyment of the instrument and excitement when playing. The balance of theory, songs and techniques is excellent and I look forward to every lesson.

Tania Emmett (Bracknell):
My son has now completed 2 terms with Mike. Within only a short time of him starting his lessons we noticed a marked improvement in his guitar and performance skills. More than just a guitar tutor, he has found Mike to be really approachable, providing invaluable support to him in his GSCE studies; adapting lessons appropriately to his needs and his musical preferences. He is inspired by Mike to become a proficient musician not only by performance standards but in the importance of understanding the theory side of things too. He is being taught skills for life and it is a joy to watch his enthusiasm and confidence grow day by day.

Lee Fleming (Bracknell):
Mike is a great tutor. He is very patient, clear in his instruction and always gives positive encouragement. He creates backing tracks, tailored specifically to me, which really help when I'm practising. His vast range of knowledge and experience, backed up with relevant resources make for very enjoyable lessons. Although his lessons are well structured, he is very flexible in accommodating things that I want to explore too.

Paul Gater (Bracknell):
Excellent Course very much like a University Foundation Course with an insight in to a large volume of information:
Chords, Lead Guitar, Power Chords and Riffs. I'll be back for more.

Leanne Hamersztein (Earley):
I have been learning guitar with Mike for many years, in which time he has shown his versatility as a teacher: from patience in teaching the basics to a sound knowledge of the advanced technicalities. In every lesson Mike's talent and love for the guitar are evident as well as his fluency in a wide range of genres.

Andy Heather (Arborfield):
After being given a block of lessons as a Christmas present, I started lessons with Mike at the beginning of the year. He got me playing straight away, and as time has progressed the songlist has steadily increased. Mike's seemingly effortless ability combined with his friendly teaching style really makes you want to progress, and I can feel my own playing getting better - although there's still a long way to go!

Jacob Kensley (Wokingham):
I have really enjoyed guitar lessons with Mike. I have learnt a variety of new techniques and styles and been introduced to lots of new music. Mike is a very patient and skilled teacher. I would recommend him to anyone thinking about having guitar lessons.

David Jones (Wargrave):
Mike, as a top guitarist who can play everything, is a great role model but also he identifies what interests the pupil, the most appropriate ways of learning and adapts the lessons accordingly.This keeps them interested and motivated. My son has been going for several years now and really enjoys his guitar lessons with Mike.

Martin Kingsley (Bracknell):
Mike has helped me improve my bass playing having been teaching myself for some time before starting lessons. This has included a wide range of tunes and playing styles tempered by exercises for technical development. I have also passed Rockschool Bass Grade 3 with distinction under Mikes guidance in the last term. Lessons are relaxed and fun.

Tony Lester (Windlesham) Team GB Sprint Coach:
I have known Mike Hartnett for several years, during that time he has been without a doubt the best music tutor I have come across.
I have for many years wanted to learn how to play the guitar, and have been self-conscious about my age. Knowing that Mike’s main student age is relatively much younger than mine, I approached Mike and within three lessons I was totally at ease with his teaching style. Mike’s approach is much more a coaching style, which teaches the key fundamentals and keeps you on a systematic learning curve. Not only is it interesting but equally and importantly he makes it fun to learn. I found myself getting frustrated because the time always seemed to go too quickly.
Mike has all the qualities of a great teacher. He is patient and very good at building your confidence, this works well as it makes you realise that even though learning a new instrument can be difficult it is also fun and fulfilling.
I would strongly recommend Mike as the go to guy if you are really serious about learning or honing your guitar skill.

Ben Moffatt (Wokingham):
Mike is very personable and has a flexible and positive approach to teaching the guitar.

Steve Ollerhead (Finchampstead):
Mike Hartnett is a great musician and an inspirational teacher. I look forward every week to my next lesson.

Clare Orledge (Sandhurst):
Mike offers guitar lessons for all abilities, in a relaxed and informal way, teaching everything you need to know, from basic chords, rhythm, lead guitar solos to improvising and all the theory that goes with it. Styles of music covered are varied and include rock, pop, disco and jazz. Mike works very hard to ensure there is a constant supply of new songs to learn to keep us interested and motivated, encouraging us to expand our repertoire and learn new techniques. Mike regularly offers students the opportunity to play sessions with other musicians in a band setting and also arranged a gig last year for some of his students to perform in front of friends and family. Would definitely recommend Mike to anyone looking for a guitar teacher.

Sophie Price (Reading):
1// Very very good Lessons.
2// Good coverage of material.
3// We were given quite a lot to cover but it was good to be able to choose what to practise.
4// No bad points.

Roger Pullen (Wokingham):
Mike is an excellent teacher whose objective is to always meet the student’s goals. He achieves this in a non pressure approach which provides the right level of guidance and encouragement. There is a nice balance between the theory and song playing which helps keep you interested and the recognition that you are making progress. The lessons always contain a wide variety of material to cover lead, chords and rhythm. I can thoroughly recommend Mike as a guitar teacher and anyone serious about playing the guitar will undoubtedly benefit from Mike’s tuition.

Sarah Rooker (Maidenhead):
I have been having lessons with Mike for 2 years now. I decided early on that I didn't want to do grades and Mike adapted and made fun,interesting and challenging lessons without the pressure of grades. I have now learnt over 25 pieces in an enjoyable and stimulating environment and I would definitely recommend Mike.

Georgina Russell (Finchampstead):
Mike has taught our daughter for nearly 2 years now and she loves learning guitar. It is one of the only outside school clubs that she is very keen to carry on with. Mike makes lessons really fun and also finds out what the children like and then teaches them guitar around songs that they are enthusiastic about. Mike is one of those few and far between teachers who is fantastic at guitar, but also very good with children and young people and that I think is the key to children and young people continuing with music over the years. Mike mixes the technical and drier learning such as notes and chords with learning songs and playing to backing tracks which she really enjoys. I would recommend Mike highly if you are thinking of finding music lessons for your children or teenagers.

Jon Scott (Wokingham) ACM Graduate and Drum Tutor:
Mike is a fantastic teacher with a real passion for passing on his expert knowledge of the instrument.
As well as looking at a variety of styles of music he has also enabled me to improve in other areas such as scales, arpeggios, chords, stave recognition, articulation and music theory. From studying with Mike I have been able to learn to play songs that I never thought I would be able to. If you are serious about learning guitar and wanting to improve I would suggest contacting Mike.

Helen Tilley (Wokingham):
Mike is an excellent teacher – his lessons are always inspiring and enjoyable, and I’m left feeling motivated to practice. His thorough approach gets the right balance between responding to the students’ needs and providing guidance and encouragement. As a beginner I find his attention to detail and technique important, as well as knowing that I’m being taught a solid foundation that I can later build upon.

The Colleton Primary School (Twyford):
Mike Hartnett has been teaching guitar at The Colleton since 2006 and provides group or individual lessons to pupils across the year groups. The children very much enjoy the lessons and are always eager to attend.

Rob Velzian (Bracknell):
Very enjoyable introduction to Guitar. I liked the way we were given contemporary Songs to play. I would recommend this Course to all Beginners.

Hannah Whiting (Bracknell):
I joined Mike's lessons after previously learning with another teacher. Since joining I feel that I am progressing at a much quicker level than before. The lessons are great; packed with different techniques and cover a wide range of music. Most importantly, they are fun and fuel my interest in learning to play. I'm always looking forward to the next one!