Paul Scheepmaker

Guitar Lessons Hoofddorp

Hi! I'm Paul Scheepmaker, a versatile guitarist and guitar teacher in Hoofddorp. Welcome to explore a wide variety of genres, such as Pop, Latin, Jazz, Rock, Metal, Grunge, Soul, Folk (picking), World Music, Funk, Blues, Hard Rock, Punk, R&B, Spanish, and Classical. If there are other playing styles you'd like to explore, I'll prepare materials to help you get started. 

Advanced – Attention to Detail

Personal attention and tailored instructions ensure you make the fastest progress and can truly delve deeper into your playing. You'll receive clear explanations, background information, and tips to deepen your technique and playing and take it to the next level. I offer weekly lessons.

Your Favourite Songs

The advantage of playing music from your favourite playlist is that you already know the songs you enjoy. You can hear the sound and rhythm in your head and understand the feeling of the song. This allows you to get into the song faster, practise more often, better and with more focus, and play on a higher level and more beautifully! This way, you'll stay motivated! 

Acoustic Guitar - Classical - Spanish 

Explore and discover the most beautiful works from the Renaissance, Classical, Contemporary, Spanish, Baroque, or Romantic periods. Think of music by Dowland, Bach, Weiss, Segovia, Leo Brouwer, Pujol, Carlevaro, Albéniz, Sor, Villa Lobos, or Rodrígo, among others. 

Solo Guitar - All Styles 

A proven way to learn to play good solos is to analyse and imitate solos by your favourite guitarists. I'm going to help you do that. To play guitar solos the way you envision them, you need to master your scales (pentatonic scales) and understand chords. For example, if you master pentatonic scales, you'll soon be able to play a decent solo! From there, you can work on tempo and rhythmic improvisations.

What can you expect? 

During the lessons, you'll develop your soloing skills by improvising with me on accompanying music 

• We'll work on neck positions
• Playing fast, dexterity, timing Harmonics
• Bending, vibrato
• Gear and effects 

This way, you'll get to know your guitar even better, allowing you to express your creativity and create your own themes. Music theory will be introduced at the right time. 

Guitar Lessons for Children 

We use fun teaching materials, and the joy of music is paramount. Weekly 30-minute lessons are recommended for children. Regular practice ensures your child gets the most out of the lessons. Practising 15 to 20 minutes a day is often enough. Child lessons are usually play on acoustic guitar.

Beginners - Reading Music 

You don't necessarily need to be able to read music to learn to play guitar well. However, music notation is essential if you want to learn to play classical music or become a professional musician. 

Solid Foundation 

Many beginning guitarists choose a classical foundation as a stepping stone to other musical directions. Spanish guitar is a great place to start. Lessons last 30 or 45 minutes.

Lesson Book 

We use a lesson book to gradually learn music notation. By playing simple melodies from various style periods, you'll develop a good basic technique. 

Tabs and Chord Symbols 

Don't want to read music and play by ear? No problem! The music is written out using chord symbols or tablature, and you'll train your musical ear. You'll play your favourite music, completely in your own way. You can do this alone on your guitar, or together with others and enjoy the interaction. 

Playing Guitar with ADHD, ASS, Dyslexia 

Based on your goals and needs, I tailor the lessons specifically for you. By highlighting and developing your talents and giving you tools to learn to cope with challenges. With personalised tips, a relaxed atmosphere in your lessons, clear instructions, and music that moves you, you can release the stress of everyday life. Discover the endless source of creativity and musical freedom. 

What can music do for you? 

Making music makes you more alert and happier. Playing guitar improves your capability to focus and offers not only challenge and exertion but also contributes to relaxation and inner balance. It declutters your system, it puts your numbers and zeros in order. You can become Zen! 

Why Music? 

Because playing guitar, dreaming away, and leaving everything behind for a moment gives you energy. Experience what it's like to connect with music, yourself, and each other. 

What do you do in class? 

We'll work on the things you want to improve and the challenges you've encountered while practising. I'll help you find ways how to get the most out of your study hour. As we all know; it's important to practise regularly between lessons. At least half an hour every day, focused and with enjoyment works best! 

What do you bring? 

• Your guitar and your favourite playlist, on your smartphone or otherwise.
• Music paper
• A pick (1mm Jim Dunlop)
• A capo (a clamp that goes around the guitar neck)

 What do you need at home? 

• Footstool
• Amplifier, if you play electric
• A tuner

Different playing styles – Acoustic - Electric 

Depending on the music you play, you choose a specific playing style. Think of rhythm guitar, lead guitar for improvisation, or classical or Spanish guitar. 

Rhythm guitar 

With rhythm guitar, you accompany the melody rhythmically with chords and riffs. You will learn the techniques involved in this through play, using existing songs of your own choice. 

Take a recording home 

I'll make a recording of the guitar part you'll be preparing. Instructions may be included. You can use the recording when practising at home. You'll find this a fun, fast, and effective way to work. 

Trial Lesson 

In the trial lesson, we'll get to know each other and discuss your goals, lesson times, and musical styles. We'll discuss which guitar is suitable for you to start with. If you already have a lot of experience, we'll delve deeper into all the amazing guitars, various pickups, other gear options, and your favourite genres! 

Lesson Days 

I teach Monday through Thursday between 1:00 PM and 10:30 PM. 

No Guitar yet? 

A good starter guitar costs around €150, and an amplifier around €125. Beginner sets are often available, including an electric guitar, amplifier, cord, and gig bag. For children, the classical or Spanish guitar is the most suitable starting point. For very young guitarists, a 3/4 model is useful, as this is a smaller model. From about age 10, a normal-sized guitar can be used. 

Music Theory - Arranging 

Discover how music theory, harmony, or solfeggio can deepen the way you play and increase your understanding of how songs are structured. A good theoretical foundation is extremely useful if you want to compose and arrange your own songs. 

Group Lessons 

Group lessons are for a maximum of 3 people. With group lessons, it's naturally beneficial to learn to play guitar with people of similar age, taste, ideas, and aptitude. Group lessons last 45 or 60 minutes. 

Conservatory Preparation 

I offer a package to prepare you for the entrance exam for a conservatory or rock academy. This preparation consists of theoretical and practical support. Guitar technique is thoroughly trained, and harmony, ear training, and music theory are also covered. The duration of this preparation depends on your talent, level, and pace of study.

• Classical guitar lessons build a repertoire of recital pieces and etudes from various style periods, from the Renaissance to the contemporary.
• Electric guitar lessons develop playing and knowledge to improvise, accompany, and arrange in various contemporary genres.

About Me 

I started playing guitar around the age of ten. Initially as an autodidact, but in 1983 I decided to take guitar lessons. I studied with Jan van der Veen in Haarlem. From 1984 onwards, I studied with Dick Visser, my principal subject teacher, at the Utrecht Conservatory. 

Hilversum 

In 1986, I transferred to the Hilversum Conservatory, where I studied with Frans van Gurp and Lydia Kennedy. I graduated there in 1990 as a classical guitarist, with a minor in jazz. 

Teaching 

From 1989 to 1993, I taught guitar at CKV Pier K and the Bollenstreek Music School. Since 1990, I have had my own guitar teaching practice in Hoofddorp. 

First Album 

While still in school, I made my first album in 1988 with my rock project GUES. This was released on an LP titled "Come Along." I wrote and arranged all the songs, and I played all the instruments. 

Session Guitarist 

I played as a session guitarist for several nationally known artists (including George Baker, Anny Schilder, and Piet Veerman) and performed in all the major theaters (including Carré) and various playhouses. 

Own Label 

In 1998, I decided to focus more on my work as a music teacher, composing, studio work, and my own label, GUEZ Records Ind. 

• In 2002, the heavy album "One" was released, again under the name GUES.
• In 2007, I began recording for my Latin project O FINO DA BOSSA.
• The album "Na Rede Da Varanda" was launched in September 2013 with a performance by the 10-piece band at Amsterdam's pop temple Paradiso.
• In 2019, the remastered and remixed version of "Come Along" (GUES, 1988, LP) was released.
• In 2022, the acoustic album "17" (GUES) was released.
• The follow-up album to O FINO DA BOSSA is expected at the end of 2025, 12 years after the initial release.
• I performed with the rock band "THE OPEN" and various other projects.