GUITAR

Alan first picked up the guitar in his teenage years after receiving his first electric guitar at 16. Initially influenced by the Britpop movement during the 90s, he became interested in Rock, discovering guitarists such as Slash, Jimmy Page and Keith Richards.

Alan studied at the Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford, UK and graduated in 2002. While studying there, he discovered new musical genres and developed a keen interest in Jazz and fusion, particularly the guitar styles of Larry Carlton and Scott Henderson.

After completing his studies, Alan discovered he had a passion for music education and, as a result, took up a full-time teaching position at Your Music School in Canterbury, Kent, where he still teaches to this day. Alongside his teaching commitments at YMS Canterbury, Alan can also be found teaching at local Secondary schools in South East Kent.

In 2011, Alan co-authored his first book ‘Learn To Play Electric Guitar’ followed by ‘Learn To Play Blues Guitar: An Introduction to the Guitar Styles of the Three Kings' in 2014. In 2015, Alan co-founded 6stringbooks.com.

Alan can also be found performing in many groups and function bands across the UK and Europe and is a full-time member of the Hell Yeahs, TD4 and Light Years.

In May 2020, Alan was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree with first-class honours in Guitar Performance with Dime Online Falmouth University and would author two further books: Blues Fusion Guitar Licks and Rock Guitar Soloing for Fretboard Publishing.