Music Theory, Composition & Essay Writing Tutor | For GCSE, A-Level & Adult Learners | Cambridge Music Graduate

It was my privilege to study music theory under Harrison, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the finest educators I have ever encountered. Throughout my time as his student, I was consistently impressed not only by his exceptional musical knowledge and teaching ability, but also by his integrity, professionalism, and genuine dedication to his students. For these reasons, I am delighted to offer my wholehearted recommendation.

Firstly, Harrison is a man of exceptional character. He is both upright and humble in equal measure. Despite possessing an extraordinarily high level of professional expertise, he has never been one to boast of his accomplishments; instead, he approaches both music and teaching with consistent modesty and grace. Furthermore, he exercises remarkable control over his emotions. Never once did I witness him allowing personal frustrations or difficulties to affect the quality of his teaching or the atmosphere of his lessons.

Secondly, Harrison's professional competence is truly outstanding. To begin with, when teaching music theory, his command of the subject appears effortless. He is able to explain complex concepts with extraordinary fluency, often drawing upon his knowledge seemingly at a moment's notice. What impressed me most was that even in the case of highly specialised or relatively obscure areas of music theory, he demonstrated not merely familiarity but genuine mastery. Moreover, he possesses a strong passion for composition. To my surprise, he is not only an accomplished theorist but also a highly capable composer. This speaks to the remarkable depth of his artistry and the refinement of his craft.

In addition, his instrumental abilities are equally impressive. Although his principal specialism lies in music theory, his instrumental demonstrations during lessons were often astonishingly accomplished. Furthermore, he is proficient in a wide variety of instruments spanning both classical and modern traditions. He is also an accomplished organist and regularly performs in church services and musical events. His ability to perform on the organ, an instrument renowned for its technical and musical demands, further demonstrates both the breadth of his musicianship and the depth of his artistic understanding. He is also capable of teaching singing. These qualities demonstrate that he is not simply a specialist in a single field, but rather a truly versatile musician whose breadth of expertise is increasingly rare and valuable.

Thirdly, Harrison's teaching ability is of the highest order. He firmly believes in teaching students how to think, rather than merely providing answers. His instructional approach is highly Socratic and guided, never relying upon rote memorisation or passive learning. Rather than simply telling me a solution, he taught me how to derive it for myself.

I vividly recall struggling with rhythmic counting during one lesson. At the outset, I found the subject rather confusing. Instead of immediately providing the answer, Harrison patiently explored numerous methods to help me remember the concepts and reason through them logically. As a result of this approach, my analytical abilities improved considerably, and I came to appreciate music theory at a far deeper level.

This method of teaching enabled me not only to acquire theoretical knowledge but also to understand the internal logic that underpins it. As Sir Isaac Newton famously remarked, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." In many respects, Harrison's teaching methodology has been that giant upon whose shoulders I have been privileged to stand.

Moreover, Harrison possesses an exceptional ability to observe and understand his students. It is widely recognised that learning becomes considerably more difficult when one's spirits are low. Harrison has a remarkable sensitivity to the emotional state of his students and consistently succeeds in creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. Consequently, I found myself able to learn with far greater efficiency and enthusiasm during his lessons. In addition, he frequently assisted me in organising my notes, which were always presented with admirable clarity, structure, and rigour.

Fourthly, Harrison makes excellent use of multimedia resources in his teaching. He is exceptionally resourceful and remarkably quick at locating relevant materials. I often asked highly specialised or unusual questions during lessons, yet he invariably managed to find suitable resources with impressive speed. These resources frequently included multimedia materials that allowed him to address my questions from multiple perspectives and in considerable depth.

Likewise, in his singing lessons, he always prepared scores and lyrics with great care prior to the lesson. The materials were not only practical and well organised but also aesthetically presented.

Fifthly, Harrison is extraordinarily prompt in responding to correspondence. This proved especially beneficial to me, as my questions were consistently answered both rapidly and comprehensively. Such responsiveness greatly enhanced my learning experience and allowed me to make steady progress between lessons.

Finally, Harrison possesses excellent organisational skills. During his time working at school, he organised choirs and regularly prepared performances in anticipation of seasonal celebrations and special occasions. His ability to coordinate people, plan events, and bring musical projects to fruition is yet another testament to his wide-ranging talents.

In conclusion, Harrison combines integrity, scholarship, musicianship, and pedagogical excellence in a truly remarkable manner. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been his student, and I recommend him without hesitation to anyone seeking serious and inspiring musical education.

I couldnt have done my music A-level without Harrison. He greatly helped me with my composition work and also essays. He has a deep knowledge of music theory and has helped me greatly with figuring out harmony, structure and counterpoint in my composition work. He was really helpful at discussing music theory with me, making it more understandable and digestible. He worked well with me. Rather than telling me how harmony worked, he helped me figure it out on my own and he's very patient. I would absolutely recommend him, he is a great teacher.

Harrison is an intelligent, kind and approachable tutor with a genuine interest in helping his students learn. His Cambridge educational background really comes through in his approach to teaching since, rather than simply giving you the answers, he guides you through the process of finding them yourself, encouraging deeper and independent thinking. I honestly can’t imagine how I would have managed academically without his support. He is incredibly knowledgeable across a wide range of subjects and particularly gifted when it comes to music. I cannot recommend him enough!