As heard on BBC1's Only Child series soundtrack (Episode 1 and 6). Leading professional harmonica tutor with over thirty years' experience. In person or online - lessons, workshops, team building.

Find out more about Richard

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  As a school boy I took classical piano lessons, sang in church and school choirs, and performed in scout gang shows. As a teenager this gave way to ragtime, rock’n’roll and boogie-woogie piano styles, and eventually the blues. That’s when I heard the blues harmonica and recognised my musical calling! It is now the instrument I play and teach in local schools, privately, in workshops and at festivals.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  I am comfortable listening to any music that has a strong melody and rhythmic hook, followed by lyrics where applicable. This primarily means blues, soul, reggae, kwela, zydeco, Cajun, rock’n’roll, rock, metal, classical, some jazz and pretty much anything Cuban. I’m not at ease listening to bebop, rap, drum and bass, disco, kpop, death metal, Pet Shop Boys or Barbara Streisand.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  The most difficult course? Might be a harmonica blues that involves depth of tone, accurate intonation with bent notes, good phrasing, dynamics, rhythm, and expression. A thing of beauty. Not necessarily something played at great speed or a with large quantity of notes. An example might be Double Crossed & Blue by Steve Baker, or Misty performed by Jerry Portnoy. But it could equally be an Irish Ballad such as Fields of Athenry. Whether or not a course is riveting is subjective. Enthusiasm shared between a teacher and a student makes any course, or study piece, exciting and rewarding for both partners. Those ‘light-bulb’ moments when a student discovers a new skill, or new level of agency, are what make everything worthwhile.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Many instruments are accessible at first, but there comes a point when we realise that time and dedication to learning are necessary if we want to become proficient. This process can be as daunting or fun as we choose to make it, but it is a journey that should remain enjoyable despite the hard work that is required. Personally I am mesmerised by the co-ordination and musicianship of good drummers and would love to be able to do what they do. Rhythm is a cornerstone of music and it is easy to overlook the importance of a good drummer or percussionist.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  Never forget the power of ‘yet’, believe in yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and treat others as you would like to be treated.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Willie Dixon, because he was instrumental in writing so many of my favourite Chicago blues songs and worked at Chess Records. Gary Primich, because he wrote some great songs and applied the blues harmonica in an original way. And J S Bach because his music is pure genius.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  So many anecdotes through teaching and playing – especially in school. Only today a child insisted she was playing a piece in 3:4 time called Emily’s Warts.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  Treating each of my students as individuals. Identifying their goals, understanding their expectations, knowing what is musically meaningful to them, finding their preferred learning style, scaffolding musical challenges, celebrating success and keeping it all fun!