Paul Challenger 

About Me

I have been playing guitar since the age of 12 (60 years), and only started playing because I saw the Beatles on TV and decided “that’s for me!”

I learned by ear, using the methods described above, on a very beat-up, very old Spanish classical guitar that actually played very well.

I have small hands, and I’m left-handed, neither of which have been a particular problem. In fact, I worked out a long time ago that being left-handed was a distinct advantage, since when beginning the hardest thing to do is to fret the strings. Being naturally dexterous with the fretting hand must have helped me learn so quickly.

I started by helping to form a school pop/rock band, covering Rolling Stones and Beatles hits. Since the 1960s I have played in all sorts of bands and groups, from formal ‘dance bands’ where the requirement was to wear a bow tie/dinner suit and play waltzes/quicksteps/foxtrots etc.; hard rock pub groups playing covers by Deep Purple, Zeppelin et al; slick covers bands playing Top 40 hits in Mecca ballrooms, West End hotels and society weddings; pub jazz groups for no money but immense gratification; and serving 6 years before the mast in a 7-piece band on two very nice cruise ships during the 1980s. While doing all this, I taught myself to play classical guitar to a reasonable standard, to read and write basic music, and to understand theory. But my main attribute, which has helped me secure and retain so many excellent musical jobs, is my ability to play almost anything by ear after only one or two listenings.

During large chunks of my musical career I was forced, like most musicians, to supplement my music income with various “real jobs”. e.g. office work, van and truck driving, factory management, and finally ending up in education.

I became a full-time guitar teacher at various local schools in the early 1990s, eventually settling in one excellent state school after being invited by them to teach guitar (all styles) and A-Level music technology, as well as to contribute guitarists and groups to successful school shows and local borough events. After 28 very enjoyable years in this job I retired three years ago, and decided to start this website to help others discover the utter pleasure of playing this amazing instrument.

Email

info@paulchallenger.co.uk