Here’s a list of individuals I am currently teaching, or have had the pleasure to have taught!

Thanks to them all for allowing me to share what others taught me in this massive world of musical expression we all belong to.

If you have studied/are currently studying with me, feel free to upload/update your details hereunder. Some fields are optional (i.e. fill what you like) although the more you fill the closer to the cool El Diablo it will look, which stating the obvious, is a joke a “mystery” student submitted which I’ve been sport enough to share! After all, music is fun!

 

Name : El Diablo, El Idiota Loco de la Gitarra
Age : Unknown (since ever and forever)
Listens to : Mexican Death Techno or anything by Carlos Santana
Guitar/s owned : El Diablo Signature Edition Strat
Dream Axe : I own my dream guitar losers!
Other gear : The fastest fingers in the east
Plays since : 1666
Current band : Eating Strange Biscuits Machine
Previous bands : Were not up to my standard
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a great guy and a wonderful teacher, although he fights like a girl.

 

I also run
– a Student of the Month award based on the effort students put to improve. Every award winner has been interviewed, and you can read their story by clicking the Facebook logo top right of their pic.

– the Super Student Series whereby students upload vidz of themselves on YouTube. Click the vidz of featured students to view them play!

Student submissions start here. All info & photos valid as when submitted by student.

 

Name : Artem Arustamov
Age : 29
Listens to : All kinds of Rock, Blues, Jazz, Metal
Guitar/s owned : Squier telecaster
Dream Axe : Something with a weird shape and even weirder colours
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
Plays since : By myself and not very successfuly – since 2019; with Malcolm – since 2022
How’s learning with Malcolm? Great fun! I really like that everything Malcolm teaches is very well orginized, structured and all the new topics are build upon previous lessons. During a year studying guitar with Malcolm I’ve learned much more then for several years learning on my own

 

Name : Ettore Caracci
Age : 10
Listens to : Rock, pop and metal
Guitar/s owned : Crafter HM-100
Dream Axe : Not been playing long, will start dreaming later 🙂
Other gear : n/a
Plays since : Oct 2020
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Nice, fun time.

 

Name : Kym Marquis-Lee
Age : 26
Listens to : Rock, pop, acoustic, trad, country, folk… the list goes on!
Guitar/s owned : Acoustic Dreadnought
Dream Axe : A pink acoustic-electric guitar!
Other gear : Piano & drums
Plays since : a while ago!
Current band : None
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Great fun! Malcolm is hilarious and extremely talented. He teaches you to have confidence in yourself and before you know it you’ll be playing like a pro!

 

Name : Michael Ahimah
Age : 40
Listens to : Rock, soul, funk, folk, blues and metal
Guitar/s owned : Fender DG-5CE Guitar
Dream Axe : Prince’s guitar 🙂
Other gear : My creativity 🙂
Plays since : July 2019
Current band : waiting for me to be good yet 🙂
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Efficient, comprehensive, easy to follow and enjoyable.

 

Name : Matthew Benjamin
Age : 34
Listens to : Bit of everything really inc. stuff Malcolm suggests
Guitar/s owned : Cordoba GK Studio
Dream Axe : I don’t think guitars are like axes 🙂
Other gear : Fender Jazz Bass
Plays since : Early 2000s
Current band : None
Previous bands : The Infamous, The Beggars and the Baby Janes
How’s learning with Malcolm? He’s experienced, knows how to teach, can have fun & has a good selection of tea 🙂

 

Name : Kelly Whiting
Age : 29
Listens to : Everything really
Guitar/s owned : Taylor Mini GS
Dream Axe : An electric acoustic
Other gear : Piano & voice
Plays since : Piano on and off since age 5 and choir since age 8, guitar only recently.
Current band : currently a member of the London City Voices choir
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a really great teacher and with his guidance, my guitar skills have developed so much since beginning lessons with him. His method of teaching also sets you up for success, while being as efficient as possible to get the more boring stuff (theory/technique) learned quickly so you can do the fun stuff of playing fun songs or even making your own music. Getting to understand the theory behind the music  made things so much easier too. I started off just wanting to learn to play songs, but now I’m gaining the knowledge to sit down and one day be able to understand any piece of music and come up with my own solos. Definitely better than struggling along with youtube videos! I’d highly recommend lessons with Malcolm. The adjustment to online lessons during Covid has also gone really smoothly!

Name : Aaron Brice
Age : 10
Listens to : All types
Guitar/s owned : Acoustic concert uke
Dream Axe : An electric uke
Other gear : My swagga 🙂
Plays since : 2007
Current band : Never been in a band
Previous bands : Never been in a band
How’s learning with Malcolm? Just brilliant!

Name : Paul Case
Age : 33
Listens to : Folk, Rock, Punk, Indie, Metal etc
Guitar/s owned : Les Paul Classic
Dream Axe : I am a practical guy, I don’t dream 🙂
Other gear : Blackstar 60W Amp
Plays since : Formally since early 2019
Current band : I wish!
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a very structured teacher. I learn a ton each lesson and it’s clear he has a huge amount of knowledge and skill.

Name : Aydin Arif
Age : 31
Listens to : 80s rock n metal
Guitar/s owned : Westfield bass
Dream Axe : Dean John entwistle bass
Other gear : Red sub amp bass amp bp150
Plays since : 2007
Current band : Never been in a band
Previous bands : Never been in a band
How’s learning with Malcolm? Very fun and enjoyable, learning new things every time without knowing.

Name : Jaxon
Age : 9
Listens to : Rock, Indie, Grunge
Guitar/s owned : Squier by Fender & LA guitar
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Gold
Other gear : Fender 20g amp, Zoom G3xn multi effects pedal, Blackstar FLY mini amp
Plays since : Jan 2017
Current band : Solo
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Interesting! He likes to keep me on my toes!

Name : Alex Hawkes
Age : 33
Listens to : Alternative, indie, psychedelia, & some jazz
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha acoustic, Fender Stratocaster & Fender Jazz bass
Dream Axe : Fender Telecaster
Other gear : A Line 6 amp with some fun built-in effects
Plays since : I’ve been playing in bands since I was a teenager, but only started studying music over a year ago with Malcolm
Current band : I currently play in a band with friends, but we’ve not achieved anything of any substance… yet!
Previous bands : Too many to mention… all very different, but all fun.
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm’s lessons are never dull! He brings bags of enthusiasm to our lessons (think Jack Black’s character from School of Rock) which he balances with discipline and knowledge (think Mr Miyagi from Karate Kid). He’s helped me gain a better understanding of music and brought far more structure to my guitar playing.

Name : Lucasz
Age : 34
Listens to : rock, folk, classic, blues, electronic, ambient, too many to list
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha F310 acoustic
Plays since : May 2018
How’s learning with Malcolm? I learn new things with each lesson, which is the most important thing for me.

Name : Joel Whittlesea
Age : 8
Listens to : All sorts – from Coldplay to Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis to Bruno Mars
Guitar/s owned : Concert Ukulele
Dream Axe : Electric uke
Other gear : none
Plays since : January 2016
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a dedicated teacher. He looks for ways to engage students and stimulate their interests in music. My son had lessons from quite a young age, and the thought that went into teaching methods and techniques meant the lessons were never boring. I really believe Malcolm is passionate about helping his students to succeed and enjoy learning.

And Joel won Student of the Month again 6 months later!

Name : Joe “Slow motion hand” Ardini
Age : 39
Listens to : My twin brother Joe Satriani
Guitar/s owned : Epiphone Les Paul Slash edition
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul
Other gear : My sunglasses 🙂
Plays since : 2018
Current band : Joe Ardini and the Remainers
Previous bands : Joe Ardini and the Brexiteers
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a very knowledgeable teacher and at the same time he is able to keep you focus on your career path, regardless you want to be a campfire guitarist or a top guitar player. Super cool teacher, but not as cool as me! But who is? I am cooler than all Westminster Parliament put together 😀

Name : Anita Majumda
Age : the question ladies do not answer 🙂
Listens to : Rock, Blues, Punk anything with loud driving guitars
Guitar/s owned : Ibanez RG and Epiphones
Dream Axe : 1959 Les Paul Gold
Other gear : Keyboard, Drums, Uke, bass, sitar
Plays since : A while
Current band : Anita Maj
Previous bands : Way too many
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is an excellent teacher – really committed to helping me learn and master the instrument. Definitely no shortcuts with this guy!!

Name : Hidayat
Age : 22
Listens to : Indie Rock, Indie Pop, R&B, Funk
Guitar/s owned : Squier Jazz Bass
Dream Axe : Fender Precision or Jazz Bass
Other gear : My fingers 🙂
Plays since : May 2018
Current band : Me, myself and I
Previous bands : Also me, myself and I
How’s learning with Malcolm? Pretty direct and straight to the point! By the time you know it you’ll realise you’ve actually learned something!

Name : Nancy Booker
Age : 14
Listens to : Punk, Glam and Rock
Guitar/s owned : Fender Strat, Epiphone Les Paul & Epiphone Hummingbird
Dream Axe : A higher end Fender Strat
Other gear : Boss ME25 & guitar amps
Plays since : Jan 2013
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : Ronnie Scott’s Music Project
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a very patient teacher who has taught me a lot and helped me through 7 exams.

Name : Peter Copper
Age : 27
Listens to : Hip hop, house, rock n roll, reggae……
Guitar/s owned : Washburn acoustic
Dream Axe : I already own it
Other gear : Guitar stand 🙂
Plays since : Jan 2018
Current band : None
Previous bands : School bands
How’s learning with Malcolm? He is a great teacher who genuinely wants you to improve. His lessons are always well structured and fun.

Name : Top Shagga King HeroKey
Age : 13
Listens to : Rap Alternative Rock
Guitar/s owned : Epiphone Les Paul Special Vintage Edition
Dream Axe : Fender Pine Cone Strat
Other gear : Some Amp off some website
Plays since : Oct 2017
Current band : In one but it burned down in the fires of Top Shaggas.
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a top man!

Name : Rob Cruz
Age : 37
Listens to : Dirge metal, stoner rock, grunge and …… Lana del Rey
Guitar/s owned : Beautiful red and black Gibson SG, & an acoustic
Dream Axe : Would like an extensive collection!!
Other gear : Blackstar amp & an unpleasant companion pedal
Plays since : I was a little kid with a screechy violin
Current band : Jamming with a drummer
Previous bands : Played bass (badly!) in a band as a teenager
How’s learning with Malcolm? Invigorating, fun, structured & progressive. Malcolm encourages me to practice – I’ve seen a lot of improvement and can now improvise and solo in a way I hadn’t thought I would be able to. I’ve found someone to jam with as a result of the encouragement, learning and confidence Malcolm has given me. I really also enjoy the group lessons – jamming the blues in the park with Malcolm and my fellow students on a sunny evening was a great feeling.

Name : William “Lazer” Ayerst
Age : 31
Listens to : Classic Heavy Metal, Stoner Rock, 50’s Jazz & Romantic-era Classical
Guitar/s owned : Gibson Explorer, Ibanez Saber, Fender Strat
Dream Axe : I’ve got them, honestly – maybe a Kemper Profiler 🙂
Other gear : Orange Crush 120H Head, JHS AT pedal, MXR 5150 pedal
Plays since : 2012
Current band : Eschatologist
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm really knows his stuff, and often the reasons behind certain exercises and techniques aren’t immediately obvious, in short order they are thrown into sharp relief with a ‘Gotcha!’ moment. He’s constantly working with me at a challenging level, but not one which goes beyond my level of comprehension. I’m thankful we got back on track after an interruption of studies and can’t recommend him more highly.

Name : Paul Gill
Age : 39 ….. but I play the ukulele to look younger 🙂
Listens to : Jazz, Rock, Funk, Classical, Soul & more
Guitar/s owned : Brunswick Tenor Ukulele
Dream Axe : Fender 52 Tele Ukulele
Other gear : Mahalo Soprano Ukulele
Plays since : Feb 2016
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? I’ve had teachers previously, but no-one even close to the experience of learning with Malcolm. He has a way of drawing the best from my ability whilst never making me feel like I’m out of my depth. Being able to also make my lessons fun without intimidating is a real skill – not many teachers/ people in day to day life have this ability, but Malcolm has it in spades, & I’d strongly suggest him to anyone serious about learning ukulele.

Name : John Ford
Age : 53
Listens to : More than can be listed here
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha Acoustic
Dream Axe : I don’t dream of guitars, but after seeing Wishbone Ash in 1979, I’ve always liked the Gibson Flying V as played by Andy Powell
Other gear : Roland Piano and a Harmonica
Plays since : Piano since I was 9; guitar since 2015.
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a very good and enthusiastic teacher. He encourages students to express themselves and to enjoy playing, as well as making sure that the fundamentals of theory and technique are in place. My confidence in my guitar playing has increased enormously in just 9 months of lessons.

Name : Charlie Walton
Age : 8
Listens to : Justin Bieber, Lucas Graham, Michael Jackson
Guitar/s owned : Soprano Ukulele
Dream Axe : n/a
Other gear : n/a
Plays since : January 2016
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? I really like my lessons & it’s lots of fun. I like playing my uke rather than computer games.

Name : Guus Hoovenaars
Age : 37
Listens to : Florence & Machine, Bjork, Coldplay, Queen, Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, Robyn, Lykke Li, Missing Persons, Elton John, Blondie, The Arcade Fire, Petshop Boys, Bob Geldof, Lana del Rey, etc.
Guitar/s owned : Fender Strat Deluxe, Eastwood Tuxedo, Larivee Om, Fender Precision Deluxe
Dream Axe : Got them all already 🙂
Other gear : Vox AC30
Plays since : 1998
Current band : GM4K
Previous bands : Speakers Mumble, Eryn Woods, Natalya, The Felling, Scissor Sisters, John Garden
How’s learning with Malcolm? Brain-expanding!

Name : Claire Reynolds
Age : 36
Listens to : Country, Pop
Guitar/s owned : Acoustic guitar
Dream Axe : …let you know once I start daydreaming 🙂
Other gear : None
Plays since : Jan 2018
Current band : None
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? I really enjoy learning guitar with Malcolm, he explains things well to a newbie like me!

Name : Alex Gunn
Age : 18
Listens to : Mostly various kinds of Metal, but also Rock, hard rock, and old-school punk etc
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha Pacifica 112V
Dream Axe : Ibanez GIO (emerald burst)
Other gear : Stagg amplifier
Plays since : 2017
How’s learning with Malcolm? He’s a great teacher – encourages organisation, independent learning and most importantly passion for music.

Name : Karina Leigh
Age : Jurassic 🙂
Listens to : Anything from Metallica to Simon & Garfunkel. Good guitaring essential.
Guitar/s owned : Gibson Les Paul, Fender Strat, Takamine, Yamaha acoustics, too many guitars (said no-one, ever)
Dream Axe : Duesenberg Signature Series Johnny Depp Model because I’m mad about Johnny Depp
Other gear : Marshall/Peavey amps, Boss effects board
Plays since : Forever, but seriously since earlier in 2018
Current band : Awaiting a signing 🙂
Previous bands : Err….. yeah….. that one that practised in my boyfriend’s garage after several beers!
How’s learning with Malcolm? I find Malcolm a very tough and regimented teacher. But hey, if you really want to learn, that’s exactly the discipline you need. I’m not the best at keeping up with practice or homework but Malcolm’s never judgemental, always supportive and very adept at assessing what level I’m at and what I need to do next to improve. I keep up my lessons because I enjoy them and because Malcolm always makes me feel like I have the potential to be a good guitarist.

Name : Alex Achikeh
Age : I live an amount of years in different dimensions 🙂
Listens to : Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, Planetshakers, Jimi Cravity, Cold Play
Guitar/s owned : Martin D18 acoustic & Peavey Raptor Plus electric
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Standard, and of course my Martin
Other gear : Fender BassBreaker 15, Fender Mustang II, Boss OD3
Plays since : December 2015
Current band : Jesus & The Bare Angels 🙂
Previous bands : Satan & the Red Hot Devils 🙂
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm has taught me how to praise Jesus in style 🙂 He is a great and passionate teacher. Our lessons are very enjoyable and he has given me a great musical foundation upon which to build on. I taught myself before Malcolm to a certain level but Malcolm has pushed me way beyond the level I was at before I met him 🙂

Name : Graham Seabrook
Age : 30
Listens to : Metal
Guitar/s owned : Ibanez with a pine finish
Dream Axe : Blue ESP Horizon
Other gear : Small amp
Plays since : 15 years on and off
Current band : None at the moment
Previous bands : An STD inspired extreme metal band
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm really understands what I want to learn and tailors the lessons to fit that.

Name : Leondre Ansah
Age : 15
Listens to : Pop music like Bruno Mars, Empire Music, Tiny Tempah
Guitar/s owned : Acoustic guitar GearforMusic 8CJ, Mahalo Red Star soprano ukulele
Dream Axe : Electric guitar
Other gear : Yamaha electric organ
Plays since : 2014
Current band : n/a
Previous bands : n/a
How’s learning with Malcolm? Very good teacher – I have learnt a lot!

Name : Alex Priestley
Age : Too old for the young, too young for the old
Listens to : U2, Coldplay, The Killers
Guitar/s owned : Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
Dream Axe : 1960 Vintage Fender
Other gear : Korg Cube amp
Plays since : 1990
Current band : none
Previous bands : at uni
How’s learning with Malcolm? Top guy!

Name : Henry Brewer
Age : 11
Listens to : AC/DC, Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Green Day
Guitar/s owned : Fender Strat copy, Gibson SGJ, Jackson JS11 Dinky
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty
Other gear : Marshall MG100 amplifier
Plays since : Sept 2012
Current band : None
Previous bands : Iband, Clueless
How’s learning with Malcolm? My experience has been great – I have learnt a lot more with Malcolm than with my previous two teachers combined!

Name : Chris Roos
Age : 31
Listens to : A bit of anything & everything but guitarwise it is mostly percussive acoustic stuff.
Guitar/s owned : Seagull S6 acoustic & Epiphone Casino electric
Dream Axe : A PRS
Other gear : Orange Crush amp
Plays since : Been playing for a good 15 years but only picked up studying in 2012.
Current band : None
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? I really enjoy my lessons with Malcolm & the feeling of progress that I make. I am also preparing for RGT exams, which is helping me to guide my practice.

Name : Kemal “Spider” Suleyman
Age : 31
Listens to : Rock & alternative
Guitar/s owned : Epiphone Les Paul Standard, Stagg Electric, Cort Electric
Dream Axe : A PRS & a Martin acoustic
Other gear : Fender Mustang 2 amp, Boss ME-70 Gtr Multi-FX Pedal
Plays since : 2005
Current band : None
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm makes learning fun & enjoyable, using his crazy humour to help remembering things much easier. Would highly recommend to others.

Name : Bastian Didier
Age : 32
Listens to : Post-Rock
Guitar/s owned : Ovation semi-acoustic & Fretlight electric
Dream Axe : PRS
Other gear : n/a
Plays since : 2011
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Thanks!

Name : Amit Chatterjee
Age : 30 (but I tell the girls I am younger)
Listens to : Rock & indie
Guitar/s owned : Epiphone Gibson Les Paul Model
Dream Axe : A real authentic Gibson Les Paul
Other gear : A small guitar amp I am too shy to mention the model of 🙂
Plays since : 2 years alone, less than 1 with Malcolm
Current band : I hope my pic shows I got the image to become any successful band’s guitarist of choice 🙂
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Clearly explains technique & is patient with me when I do not do my homework. Overall, allows me to freely express myself to learn at the rate I am comfortable with.

Name : George Stein
Age : 52
Listens to : Everything, but especially classic rock, pop, jazz & classical music
Guitar/s owned : Fairclough Acoustic River, Simon & Patrick Songsmith CW Burst A3T, Simon & Patrick Woodland 12 Spruce
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Custom
Other gear : None yet, but I need a small amp soon
Plays since : 1967 (piano & trumpet)
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? He taught me how to practice, how to improve my technique & how important it is to good playing! I am quite musical and I love being able to play better! I can feel myself improving – working with Malcolm is fun & rewarding!

Name : Daniel Bellington
Age : 28
Listens to : Various genres of music
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha F310
Dream Axe : none
Other gear : Amp
Plays since : 6 months
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is easy-going & approachable. He makes lessons fun and interesting

Name : Ashley
Age : 19
Listens to : Black metal, black/death, blackened folk metal
Guitar/s owned : BC Rich Dagger
Dream Axe : Dean Razorback DB
Other gear : Boss Metal Zone mkII
Plays since : October 2011
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is great fun – knows his stuff and even more his metal! That is exactly what I was looking in a guitar teacher

Name : Matt Koss
Age : What a rude question 🙂
Listens to : Various Rock & Metal
Guitar/s owned : My 1st cheapo Squire Start & a Takamine G-Series acoustic
Dream Axe : Not yet decided, PRS maybe
Other gear : Line 6 UX1
Plays since : Feb 2010
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Structured but fun! Been with him for over 2 yrs so that says something.

Name : Damilola Hassan
Age : 21
Listens to : R & B, Dubstep, House & Hip-Hop
Guitar/s owned : Eastwood LA-125 acoustic
Dream Axe : One with an interesting shape
Other gear : Keyboard
Plays since : 2011
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? It is fun and interesting, and at a good pace.

Name : Sid the Kid
Age : 8
Listens to : Justin Bieber and Indian music
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha CS40 classic guitar
Dream Axe : Acoustic steel string
Other gear : Keyboards
Plays since : Oct 2010
Current band : I plan to be on stage once I am 20
Previous bands : Too young to have had any
How’s learning with Malcolm? Awesome rockstar! I want to be like him.

Name : Marko Mosquera
Age : 9
Listens to : Pop
Guitar/s owned : Encore ENC36N Classic Guitar
Dream Axe : An electric guitar
Other gear : none
Plays since : Sept 2010
Current band : none
Previous bands : Part of a school choir
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm teaches very well. He is very expressive so his class is always entertaining & never boring.

Name : Stanley Temple
Age : 15
Listens to : Rock & blues
Guitar/s owned : Gibson SG & Fender Telecaster
Dream Axe : A Fender Jagstang
Other gear : A Blackstar amp
Plays since : a few years. With Malcolm since April 2010
Current band : no name yet
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Hardworking but in a fun way!

Name : Pavan Kumar
Age : 38
Listens to : Indian, Classical & film soundtracks.
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha FG700MS
Dream Axe : An even better acoustic
Other gear : Maxim MX25-181 keyboard
Plays since : Guitar since Oct 2010
Current band : Plan to have one some day
Previous bands : Indian Classical Music training when I was younger
How’s learning with Malcolm? Wonderful teacher! Very passionate for music and patient with my slow learning.

Name : Dave Gasson
Age : 53
Listens to : Anything as long as I like it
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha FG720S acoustic; Vintage Advance Series electric
Dream Axe : nothing really
Other gear : Roland amp
Plays since : January 2010
Current band : None but you never know about the future
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Brilliant. Took up guitar to see how it goes, and Malcolm has convinced me to continue

Name : Roscoe Meherin
Age : 8
Listens to : Indie rock
Guitar/s owned : Electric Tiger and acoustic Squire DG-6NAT
Dream Axe : nothing
Other gear : Tiger GCC-805 amp
Plays since : Since age 7
Current band : We don’t yet have a name
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? Cool! He makes me laugh when he calls me Roscoe Bobbits 🙂

Name : Richard Harper
Age : 34
Listens to : Hard Rock & Metal
Guitar/s owned : Dean Vendetta (left-handed)
Dream Axe : One made of pixie dust
Other gear : Hughes & Ketner 30W Combi Amp + Line 6 gearbox effects
Plays since : 6 months
Current band : none
Previous bands : Burn This Life
How’s learning with Malcolm? He constantly pushes me to get better (although I might hate him a little for it hehe!)

Name : Peter de Bont
Age : Ssshhh! It is a state secret 🙂
Listens to : Classical & jazz
Guitar/s owned : Electric G# guitar, electric tenor guitar/banjo, dobro, old Hoeffner jazz guitar
Dream Axe : A metal dobro
Other gear : Behringer & Magix Guitar Recording equipment + and some cheap stuff I won’t throw away for sentimental reasons
Plays since : Again after a hiatus since May 2010
Current band : Me, myself & I
Previous bands : Several jazz outfits over a period of 15-odd years, and a 2-year collaboration with a singer
How’s learning with Malcolm? Being originally a banjo player, and largely autodidact at that, I was never taught how to play the guitar properly. I’m learning something new every time now and lessons are good fun!

Name : Max Meherin
Age : 12
Listens to : Rock and indie
Guitar/s owned : Bass guitar & 2 acoustics
Dream Axe : None
Other gear : Tiger GCC-805 Amp
Plays since : Music since 2006, guitar since 2008 and bass since 2010
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? It’s cool – I get a lot out of it and I find it really fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name : Kevin Broughton
Age : 34
Listens to : Rock
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha Acoustic Fg700MS
Dream Axe : none
Other gear : A MacBook Pro
Plays since : 2010
Current band : none
Previous bands : none

Name : Tristan Barraclough
Age : 30
Listens to : Cream, Jeff Beck, jazz & a 101 others that I can’t fit in such space
Guitar/s owned : Tanglewood Evolution acoustic guitar
Dream Axe : Some electric eventually
Other gear : Spoons 🙂
Plays since : 2010
Current band : Me, myself & I
Previous bands : Several jazz outfits over a period of 15-odd years, and a 2-year collaboration with a singer
How’s learning with Malcolm? He is clear and direct but at the same time laid back in his teaching. Which makes learning with him very fulfilling and a whole lotta fun. Rock on!

Name : Dave “Two Riffs” Xmas
Age : 27
Listens to : All genres of Metal, blues, & old 70s prog
Guitar/s owned : Gibson Les Paul Custom, Gibson Flying V, Dean Explorer, Ibanez RG, a crap acoustic & a bass!!
Dream Axe : Any that are really expensive!!!
Other gear :Marshall TSL 100 half-stack, Ibanez tube screamer, Vox Wah , Dunlop Rotovibe, Line 6 pod, Line 6 combo, Sessionette combo, drumkit + more stuff somewhere…
Plays since : … since I can remember!!
Current band : F.S.I & a couple of exciting projects in the pipeline!
Previous bands : Abbatoir, Outlaw, Scumbag
How’s learning with Malcolm? Amazing! Just when I thought I couldn’t get any better I\’ve been booted into the right direction of greatness by Malcolm. Top stuff!!

Name : Andy Langthorne
Age : 24
Listens to : Rock & some metal
Guitar/s owned : Ibanez RG
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Custom
Other gear : none
Plays since : Feb 2010 (+ sat for my 1st exam with Malcolm lately & got a Distinction!)
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm explains the theory and techniques in an easy to understand way so you can get on with rocking!

Name : Sam Taffs
Age : 26
Listens to : I listen to lots of different music – anything from hip hop to folk, jazz or blues
Guitar/s owned : Les Paul (Epiphone); Washburn steel string acoustic; Nylon string Spanish
Dream Axe : Parker fly
Other gear : Drum kit
Plays since : Did music in school, but started with Malcolm mid-2009
Current band : none
Previous bands : Played with people at school a long time ago
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is a great teacher – if you want to learn fast and without any bull, then Malcolm is the person to see. If you are serious about learning he will teach you really well and you can progress quickly. I went to grade 3+ in 8 months with him and now onto grade 4.

Name : Caroline Chen
Age : Do I have to answer this lol?
Listens to : Indie rock/pop, electro
Guitar/s owned : American Fender Stratocaster
Dream Axe : Got it already! Although I wouldn’t mind a Telecaster as well.
Other gear : Vox amp
Plays since : Classical piano when I was young, electric guitar only since 2009.
Current band : None
Previous bands : None
How’s learning with Malcolm? He makes me do homework 🙂

Name : Rohin Imberger
Age : 36
Listens to : Rock, Folk, Instrumental, Indie, Blues
Guitar/s owned : Walden Natura
Dream Axe : none
Other gear : none
Plays since : 2009
Current band : none
Previous bands : none

Name : Norbert Scicluna
Age : 23
Listens to : EVERYTHING! I really don’t care if it’s pop, rap or metal. But my mp3 player is only filled with thrash and death metal \m/
Guitar/s owned : Dean FBD tribute, Ibanez Gio, Fender Stratocaster electrics
Dream Axe : Dean FBD tribute (that’s why I bought it)
Other gear : Randall half stack, Marshall combo, & loads of Boss floor pedals like Metal Zone, Chorus, Overdrive, Equaliser, Tuner, & Noise Gate
Plays since : 1998
Current band : We got no name yet, we are too busy playing to bother 🙂
Previous bands : Cypher are the most noticeable band I’ve played with so far, as all other projects were either unsuccessful or time-killing hobbies.
How’s learning with Malcolm? Great! He was the reason I stepped up from classical guitar to rockin out on my electric! A great and dedicated teacher!

Name : Zhuan Ahmed
Age : 14
Listens to : Rock, metal, and whatever else appeals to me!
Guitar/s owned : Ibanez S470DXQM, Tanglewood acoustic, Stagg F300
Dream Axe : Ibanez S5470
Other gear : Roland Microcube
Plays since : 2007
Current band : Just a small band at school with some friends
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Brilliant! I’ve learnt so much over the past few months, and I really enjoy his lessons.

Name : Theo Almenis
Age : 32
Listens to : Thrash & heavy metal, 70s Funk, Blues, early punk, euro rock, and last but not least the Blackberry Jam
Guitar/s owned : Jackson Dinky Pro, Aria Pro 11, Peerless Acoustic & Ibanez RG Series
Dream Axe : Jackson Charvel (your guitar as a gift before leaving Australia)
Other gear : Marshall 9000 50 X 50 Power Amp + 4 X 12 Speakerbox, Zoom 4040, Digitech GFX 1 Preamp, Yamaha Portasound & Tascam Porta II Mini-Studio, Boss Heavy Metal & Flanger Effects
Plays since : 12 yrs old (tutor note – neither if you had been studying for 32 yrs would you get my guitar, so dream on Mad Thrasher 🙂 )
Current band : Inslain
Previous bands : Various thrash metal projects, most notably of which AROSTIA

Name : Eljay Lambert
Age : 22
Listens to : metal, hip hop and funk
Guitar/s owned : Jackson RR3 Pro Series Randy Rhodes model, Squire Stratocaster, a fake Les Paul, and a spanish acoustic
Dream Axe : A custom Les Paul
Other gear : Vox amp; Jim Dunlop cry baby wah pedal
Plays since : Early 2009, the last 2 months of which with Malcolm
Current band : Death Remains (main band) + some other pretties like laying tracks for an up & coming UK hip-hop producer.
Previous bands : Played in a steel pan band for 2 years at school
How’s learning with Malcolm? Learning with Malcolm is great! He is encouraging and friendly and a great boost for anyone wanting to learn but lacking a bit of confidence.

Name : Stefano Garombo
Age : 18
Listens to : Metal (all types), hard rock, blues, classical, jazz
Guitar/s owned : Ibanez RG350, LTD C401FM
Dream Axe : Gibson Les Paul Custom
Other gear : Peavey Valveking, Line 6 Pod X3 Live
Plays since : 2001
Current band : None
Previous bands : High school band
How’s learning with Malcolm? Good fun ! Very productive and lots learnt

Name : Jack Greenwood
Age : 14
Listens to : Pop, rock, indie
Guitar/s owned : Roytek bass guitar
Dream Axe : Ibanez bass guitar
Other gear : amp
Plays since : Piano & music from age 8-10; bass from 2008
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Every lesson is fun!

Name : Peter Franklin
Age : 13
Listens to : Tonnes of metal!
Guitar/s owned : A Cort bass
Dream Axe : none
Other gear : none
Plays since : 2009
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? I’m enjoying it!

Name : Alexander Bittar
Age : 8
Listens to : 80’s pop
Guitar/s owned : Valencia CG1K mini-classical guitar
Dream Axe : An electric guitar
Other gear : Yamaha YPT-310 Keyboard & a recorder
Plays since : 1 year guitar, 2 years overall
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Fun, exciting and interesting. I really enjoy the lessons.

Name : Enzo Libbert
Age : 9
Listens to : Rock & indie
Guitar/s owned : Squire Mini-Fender
Dream Axe : Holy cow! I can’t answer this one, I dream of many guitars 🙂
Other gear : Yamaha DD-65 Rhythm Machine; Roland MiniCube amp; Zoom GX1 FX; Soundbox 50 keys
Plays since : 1 year
Current band : Boys of History
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? I love it!

Name : Rowland Phillips
Age : 31
Listens to : Hard rock and pop
Guitar/s owned : Les Paul Gibson and a custom acoustic
Dream Axe : No idea, but definitely a loud one
Other gear : Amps, MP3 devices, laptop etc
Plays since : Late 2007
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Fun but serious at the same time.

Name : Marianne Bittar
Age : 9
Listens to : Soul, Pop, Jazz
Guitar/s owned : Valencia Classic Guitar
Dream Axe : Skylark Retro Solid Electric Guitar in Metallic Red
Other gear : Yamaha Keyboard YPT-310 and a recorder
Plays since : 3 years
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? I have learnt a lot so far. I have lots of fun.

Name : Robert Grech
Age : 20
Listens to : 80’s Metal, early 90’s doom metal
Guitar/s owned : Fender Stratocaster (mexico)
Dream Axe : Jackson Randy Rhoads
Other gear : Torque 150watts amplifier, Boss metal zone, Ibanez virtual amplifier, Yamaha distortion pedal
Plays since : Piano from 1988 to 1995. Guitar from 1998
Current band : none
Previous bands : none

Name : Brandon Sciberras
Age : 16
Listens to : Most types of music except rap
Guitar/s owned : Tanglewood Nevada FST 32K Electric Unbranded Acoustic
Dream Axe : Fender 62 Jaguar
Other gear : Tanglewood MG-10 Guitar Amp
Plays since : 1997
Current band : none
Previous bands : Also studies voice and regularly competes in national music festivals. 3rd in JAAS Productions Song Festival held in February 2001.

Name : Jonathan Ebejer
Age : 9
Listens to : Mostly Light Rock and Pop
Guitar/s owned : ¾ sized Classic Guitar
Dream Axe : Electric
Other gear : none
Plays since : just started
Current band : none
Previous bands : none

Name : Emvin Taylor
Age : 13
Listens to : Hip-hop rock, nu- and heavy metal, and some death and black metal
Guitar/s owned : Fender Mini
Dream Axe : B.C Rich Warlock Handmade Series
Other gear : none
Plays since : 1666
Current band : friends
Previous bands : none

Name : Scott Wood
Age : 16
Listens to : death/progressive/doom metal
Guitar/s owned : a Gibson explorer + a crappy old Hohner
Dream Axe : Esp M307/ Jackson SL1
Other gear : Boss Metalzone and a shitty amp (for now)
Plays since : 1999 by myself, 2002 with teacher
Current band : Erythuria
Previous bands : a few bands in Scotland that aren’t worth mentioning

Name : David Alan Caruana
Age : 27
Listens to : Heavy metal, death metal, jazz, classical (esp. baroque), elettronica, trance, uhmmm … anything but Rap & Britney Spears when she’s trying to sing (rest of the time she’s truly quite OK actually hehe!)
Guitar/s owned : Guild DeArmond M75, Apollo Les Paul Special-HB clone, Ovation Applause electric/acoustic, Ritmo Classic nylon string, Keen 5 string bass.
Dream Axe : Gibson black beauty or Les Paul Custom AAA flametop in cherry sunburst
Other gear : Too much to list as home studio includes two pianos, various synths, Laney valve amp, Zoom 606 FX, 12 chan mixer, large PA, various ethnic instruments & what not…
Plays since : Since aged 4 years old i.e. 1979
Current band : none
Previous bands : Wound, Lithomancy, Dea Discordia
How’s learning with Malcolm? Excellent guitar tuition method! I asked specifically to learn the basics of guitar (I already knew music theory & piano) in the direction of improvisation and Malcolm put me through the paces in a structured way, starting from exercises to strengthen the fingers and achieve correct positions on the guitar, through scales and arpeggios onto advanced techniques. If you’re willing to back up each lesson with a few solid hours of practice, the Cool Gool method is definitely the best way to get you playing what you want to play!

Name : Conrad Aquilina
Age : 22
Listens to : pure death fucking metal, anything with good guitars, and above all music delivered with passion
Guitar/s owned : Tanglewood TW-360, Fenix by Young Change (Strat Copy), Parker Nitefly
Dream Axe : Parker fly
Other gear : Marshall Valvestate 40W amp, Zoom 3030 Fx, good old metronome for those lonely days, picks, fast fret, and the like!
Plays since : 1996 alone, 1999 formally
Current band : none
Previous bands : Extorted (for life)

Name : Johann Montfort
Age : 14
Listens to : Black Metal
Guitar/s owned : Fender Squire
Dream Axe : BC Rich Warlock
Other gear : Nil
Plays since : 2002
Current band : Diabolical Carnage
Previous bands : none

Name : Peter Gange
Age : 26
Listens to : Metal, thrash, death, anything heavy & fast. But also other styles.
Guitar/s owned : Jackson Randy Rhoads, Aria Acoustic, Yamaha Acoustic, Dean from hell Razorback, Fender acoustic.
Dream Axe : I already got the Jackson, it fulfills my dreams
Other gear : Marshall Valvestate VS 100, 2 4 X 12” Quads
Plays since : A teen, but only really studied theory when I met Mal in 2003.
Current band : Void in my life I need to fill.
Previous bands : Jamming with different musos in garages.
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm is the greatest teacher and friend. He come to Australia back in 2003 and I only had the pleasure of meeting and learning from him half way into his stay here. He made sure I understood the theory he laid out before he left. What he taught me is so beneficial and I’m forever grateful for it.

Name : Sebastian Cachia
Age : 14
Listens to : Metal
Guitar/s owned : Currently some shitty acoustic
Dream Axe : ESP 207
Other gear : none
Plays since : October 2001
Current band : Deface

Name : Mike Sledge
Age : 49
Listens to : 60s & 70s Rock n’ Roll, Alternative rock & some country music
Guitar/s owned : Fender Stratocaster Electric & some cheap acoustic
Dream Axe : Eric Clapton Fender Stratocaster
Other gear : Vox Valvetronic tube amp
Plays since : June 2009
Current band : none
Previous bands : none
How’s learning with Malcolm? Malcolm has been a great help! An awful lot of work but my playing is light years ahead of where we started. Good clean fun!

Name : Stephen Mikulic
Age : I do not answer rude questions 🙂
Listens to : The many styles of Metal, especially Power Metal and Doom
Guitar/s owned : Jackson Kelly, Fender Stratocaster Yngwie model, Ibanez Destroyer ll
Dream Axe : Still searching, I have many yet to play
Other gear : Zoom 9050 FX, Marshall Valvestate (for now), considering buying a Reynolds Sledgehammer amp
Plays since : First played guitar at 10 years of age, have been playing on and off since
Current band : Lycanthia
Previous bands : Dungeon

Name : Reg Barber
Age : 28
Listens to : Glassjaw, One Minute Silence, Hell is for Heroes, Coheed and Cambria, Finch, Soad, Amen, Thrice, At the Drive Inn, Lost Prophets, Million Dead, Thursday
Guitar/s owned : Yamaha Drop 6, Yamaha Image Custom
Dream Axe : PRS McCarty
Other gear : TSL 100, Super Phaser, Cry-Baby Wah, Super Chorus
Plays since : 1996
Current band : Animism
Previous bands : Crypto Sporidium, The Garden, Gnomes, Harpic Thrush, Fathom, Icarus

Name : Quan Tran
Age : 28
Listens to : Classical, pop & karaoke
Guitar/s owned : Ashton CG- 44 Classical guitar
Dream Axe : Jose Ramirez Classical guitar
Other gear : My fingers
Plays since : On and off since 1996, with Malcolm for 2003
Current band : My room in Sydney
Previous bands : My room in Vietnam

Name : Troy Cook
Age : 31
Listens to : Metal, Metal, Metal
Guitar/s owned : Washburn Dimebag Signature Series 333, Ibanez RG 570 , Washburn electric/acoustic
Dream Axe : Washburn Dime 3
Other gear : Zoom 9150 digital effects, metalzone distortion
Plays since : 7 years
Current band : Zeitgeist (Gothic Metal)
Previous bands : Kavorka (Death Metal), Wasted Angels (Glam Metal)

Name : Mario Cachia
Age : 27
Listens to : All types of rock and guitar-related music
Guitar/s owned : Explorer
Dream Axe : not yet dreaming 🙂
Other gear : none
Plays since : 1 month only
Current band : too soon for this
Previous bands : n/a

 

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