Jessie Booth

Guitar, music theory

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Jessie is a multi-instrumentalist and immensely passionate teacher with 10+ years experience, based in Auckland. Working with students from age 7 to 70, she finds great joy in empowering developing musicians with the knowledge to master their performance capabilities and to unlock the theory behind the music they enjoy. She endeavours to immerse each student in an area of music that fuels them. Alongside her private music tuition, Jessie is also an Artist Teacher at the University of Auckland.

After completing her Bachelor of Music, majoring in Jazz Performance, she dove into musical theatre and original rock projects, which lead to performances and tours playing alongside artists such as Villainy, Zed, I am Giant, The Bleeders, Buckcherry, Cherrie Currie (original singer of The Runaways) and Steel Panther. As a session musician she played with Elemeno P for their 2021 High Fidelity Vinyl Release Tour.

+ What I can teach you

Let's demystify the fretboard together. Whether you have a background in music theory, rely more on your ears or by recognising ‘shapes’, you will learn (in a style that best suits your background and learning goals) simple and easy-to-follow steps to open up the entire fretboard.
Analyse the music you love, to develop your own sound and style.
Theory, aural training and song writing.
I can teach you a range of genres: jazz, classical, pop, rnb, rock.

+ My teaching style

The first lesson is a free introductory session so I can get to know where you are and where you would like to be in your playing. We set goals together and the lessons from then on are tailored to your specific goals, background, capabilities and your learning style. When learning new songs, I aim to drop in theory whenever I can in order to develop my students' songwriting, analysis and improvisation. I encourage an open discourse so that we can shape your lessons together, and I love to see your playlists to see what music really inspires you.

+ My first significant musical moment

I was always fascinated by music. From a young age, I had people at home who could play various instruments and I knew it was something I wanted to do. When I was eight years old, my dad was gifted a piano – which was my first hands-on experience with an instrument. I quickly began tinkering away on it, learning simple songs by ear. Once my parents got wind of that, they sent me to piano lessons. Soon after, I had a burning desire to pick up the guitar and, after lots of begging and pleading, I was given my first one at age 12. Although there have been other instruments over the years (drums, flute and bass), guitar has been my main focus.

+ Most enduring influence

The most enduring influence on my work ethic, and what began a deep interest in theory, was my time spent at Auckland Uni. It was an intense degree but it really set the foundation for how I work and study today.

+ Most thrilling gig I've played

It would have to be the first gig I did with Elemeno P at the Artworks Theatre in Waiheke. I grew up listening to their songs, so to be able to play them to a crowd of people was really quite special.

+ Who I'd most like to jam with?

Jam with, or even just sit in on a jam and observe... it would have to be Snarky Puppy.