I was born in Alicante, Spain, in 1973 and started playing guitar at the age of 13.
Music has been a huge part of my life ever since.
I embarked on my musical journey by picking up a nylon string guitar, and very soon, an electric guitar joined my collection.
Initially drawn to Rock and Pop, my fascination for music led me to explore diverse genres like Blues, Metal, Folk, Classical, and Jazz.
School performance with my first band
At the age of 15, I embarked on my Classical Guitar studies at Alicante's Conservatoire, immersing myself in a diverse curriculum that extended beyond the fretboard. Alongside mastering Classical Guitar techniques and repertoire, I delved into a comprehensive array of subjects, including Solfege, Harmony, Acoustics, Transposition, Music History, Music Aesthetics, Pedagogy, Chamber Music, Ensemble, and Choir.
During that time, I was a member of the Conservatoire's Choir for four years as a tenor.
Performing with Alejandro Ruiz, a great fellow Conservatoire student in 1996.
I finished my studies as a qualified Guitar Teacher and Instrumentalist, and my degree is comparable to a British Bachelor (Honours) degree standard.
While studying at the Conservatoire, I also played guitar in several local Rock bands and was involved in various projects as a musician.
Playing covers around Alicante, in the company of great guys and musicians.
Rehearsing with the Alicante Symphony Orchestra in the mid-1990's, bajo la dirección de Joan Iborra.
I was initially self-taught with the electric guitar, but I was lucky to have great musicians around to inspire me and teach me. My first Electric Guitar lessons were with the exceptional guitarist from Alicante, Paco García. Later on, I studied Electric Guitar and Modern Harmony for several years with the esteemed master, Thierry Laforge, originally from France but fortunately based in Denia, Alicante.
I also attended several Master Classes with prestigious Spanish Guitarists, including Salvador Domínguez, Porty, Jose de Castro "Jopi," Francisco Simón, and Chema Vilchez.
With the legendary Spanish guitarist and Popular Music scholar, Salvador Dominguez, and the esteemed musician, educator, and promoter of music culture in Alicante, Jose A. Bornay.
I have been teaching guitar privately for 20 years and have taught other subjects, including Modern Harmony, Computer Music, Songwriting, Reading Music, Music Theory, Home Recording, Electric Bass, and Ukulele.
I have also taught at the Villena Culture Centre, "Áula de Música y Técnicas de Arte," and "Da Cappo Schola" in Alicante.
In 2000, I moved to Madrid, where I pursued advanced studies in Modern Electric Guitar and Harmony. I had the privilege of learning under the guidance of the talented Jose Manuel Lorenzo, at the Musicians Institute, and I also studied at 'Escuela de Música Creativa,' where I learned with the great instructor Pablo Fernández-Arrieta.
Continuing my quest for excellence in Jazz, I dedicated two years to studying at the 'Academia Jazz Ateneo' under the mentorship of Félix Santos, a wonderful and revered Jazz educator in Spain.
And in 2002, I moved to London, where my degree was recognized, and I received a "Qualified Teacher Status."
Since then, I have worked as a self-employed private tutor full time.
Great times teaching my student Victor in London at Ritz Music in Richmond.
And I have always combined my job with various collaborations as a musician.
During this time, I was involved in the soundtrack for the movie "Body Armour," as a composer and guitarist.
Recording guitars for the movie "Body Armour" at Sphere Studios in London.
I had the privilege of collaborating as a songwriter in James Keo's first album, produced by Martin Hoj, where I contributed the music for the song 'Of Poetry.' It was an extraordinary experience, as Martin graciously invited me to write this piece for the album.
And for a little while, I played bass with The Black Jack Quartet, founded by a very talented former student of mine, Nick Childs.
Apart from my private lessons I also worked as a visiting tutor at Clifton Lodge School, in Ealing (West London).
During my time in London, UK, I delved deep into exploring the graded system of music education, consistently striving for new insights and experiences. I dedicated myself to nine successful exams, achieving Distinction in each endeavor. My accomplishments include Grades 1 to 6 in Classical Guitar with Trinity College London, as well as Grade 4 in Classical Guitar with Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
Additionally, I pursued Grade 8 certifications in Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar with London College of Music and the Registry of Guitar Tutors. I also achieved a Distinction in the highest available examination for Ukulele at that time, which was Grade 3.
Throughout this journey, I also had the opportunity to share the examination experience with my own students, offering them my unwavering support and gaining invaluable insights into the assessment process.
In 2014, I became a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors, an internationally acclaimed institution dedicated to guitar instruction. I am proud to continue my membership today.
As a full-time online guitar tutor, I am a firm believer in the power of remote learning. Embracing this dynamic approach has opened doors to incredible educational opportunities, allowing me to further enrich my musical journey.
One of the most captivating experiences I had was undertaking the Music Production Course with the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Not only did this course provide me with invaluable insights into the world of music production, but it also showcased the remarkable potential of remote learning.
Another highlight of my remote learning journey was the Jazz Improvisation course, where I had the honor of studying under the guidance of the legendary Gary Burton at Berklee College of Music.
These courses taught me more than just music; they reaffirmed my belief in the immense potential of remote learning.
I also completed a course with the University of Edinburgh on the "Fundamentals of Music Theory."
And when the pandemic hit, I created the Joe Moreg & Friends B@nd during the lockdown period, to keep me busy and motivated collaborating remotely with musician friends from Alicante, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, London and New York.
We recorded 19 covers in total, and it was a great learning experience for me. To this day, I am extremely grateful to all 51 musicians who accepted being part of this project.
Currently, I am available exclusively for online lessons, teaching Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, and Classical), Ukulele, and Electric Bass.
To find out more about me and my lessons, please get in touch via WhatsApp (07742 611 680) or through the contact section of my website.
© Joe Moreg 2024