"Kids driving you crazy in isolation? Better Call Pav! If you want to know how to keep your kids off their screens and being creative, get them to learn guitar and call Pav.....he taught mine! Pav is an incredible guitarist too! Youth X" Renowned music producer 'Youth'(pictured above) - also known as Martin Glover has produced some of the world's best bands and artists including: Paul Mcartney, Pink Floyd, Primal Scream, Killing Joke, The Orb, The Verve, Embrace, U2, Marilyn Manson, Crowded House and many more.
Learning guitar with Pav is the highlight my week. I immediately feel comfortable whether i’m learning in his awesome studio setup (amongst his impressive collection of guitars), online or at my flat. I had some baseline understanding of the guitar before starting with Pav but he’s really taken me to the next levels. His highly personalised approach meant he knew my ability, the key areas for development and overlaid that with my musical tastes. Pav’s extensive knowledge of guitar and the music industry means that I’m constantly asking him questions to fill in the gaps, which lead to discussions and insights that broaden my understanding of music beyond my playing. Being in this environment means that I’m learning all the time, in a way that never feels arduous. Just fun, creative, mentally challenging and highly rewarding.
Thomas Morrell London SW11
Pav taught my son Nat guitar for a number of years and showed considerable expertise and sensitivity in his approach. He went well beyond what could normally be expected of a guitar teacher and introduced him to the wider world of music learning, including supporting the development of the band he played in and advising on the purchase of the right equipment to allow him to improve his technological understanding. Nat and other friends who were also taught by Pav benefitted considerably from the mentoring they received from such an enthusiast who is himself steeped in the world of music.
Sir Nick Williams London SW12 Principal, Brit School of Performing Arts & Technology (2002-2012) ,CEO, Future Schools Trust and Education advisor to the Department for Education.
“Pav is an excellent teacher with great technical skill and the ability to inspire students. My own 17 year old has studied for several years with him and has always achieved distinctions in his guitar exams. The emphasis on making music in the lessons makes for a very creative ambience and his students all end up with a secure technique and thorough knowledge of the music they are playing. He is very patient and is genuinely concerned for and interested in each student he is working with. You won’t find a better teacher around here.”
Paul Mitchell SW11 -Ph.d M.Mus B.A (hons) P.G.C.E Director of Music Tiffin Girls school London
I can highly recommend Pav to you as a guitar teacher for your children. We have known Pav for the past year and he has ignited my 11 year old's passion for playing, after some boring attempts at school lessons. We chose a more contemporary route to learning the guitar (both acoustic and electric), rather than traditional grades, and Pav has created a wonderful excitement in my son so much so that he is about to enter a school talent show to play and sing a song by The Script. Clearly Pav is a gifted teacher and well -respected and we are extremely fortunate to have found him. It is therefore my pleasure to recommend Pav to anyone looking for a guitar teacher. We are tremendously grateful to him for bringing the sound of music into our house.
Helen and Marlowe Skellett London SW18 3LW
I met Pav when I started working at Emanuel and he is a great teacher as well as a great guy. He is the best in what he does!
Stephan Ellenberger Music Dept assistant Emanuel School London SW11
‘I’ve been wanting to play the guitar for years now but never had the dedication and time to get stuck in. I’d tried online courses and YouTube tutorials and then I found Pav! This has been a game changer for me. His skill and knowledge of the guitar is two fold but it’s also his enthusiasm to pass this onto others which is what gives you the motivation to keep at it.
Since lockdown our lessons have moved to Zoom video chats, which has proved to be just as good as in person. It’s my once a week lessons which have been keeping me sane through this difficult time. Not to mention Pav always being on hand with any of my questions. If you want to learn guitar then Pav’s your man!!!’
Kylie Olson Tv presenter and Music Journalist London
Our family has known Pav for more than 10 years. During much of that time he has been guitar teacher to our son, who was 6 years old when he first started.
Firstly, Pav is a very accomplished guitarist, active in live performance, song writing and recording. This gives him a great deal of credibility with young people.
In our experience, he is very sensitive to his students as individuals and adapts his approach to suit their personality, abilities and needs. He is a very good motivator, able to make learning fun, but he also knows how to instil discipline and sets very high standards.
Pav is more than a music teacher: he really cares about his students and he is a very positive mentor. His students are lucky to have him. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Richard Glassborow London SW12
My 11 year old daughter started guitar lessons with Pav only a few months ago and it is quite incredible how far she has progressed in such a short time. He is a fabulous teacher and his calm, relaxed approach works very well for my daughter who really looks forward to and enjoys her 50 minute lessons each week. Pav totally understands what she wants to achieve with her guitar and having inspired her to learn all her chords, she is now enjoying playing music from some of her favourite artists. I would recommend him wholeheartedly.
Charlotte Knapman London SW11
‘I’m not the most grounded of people to teach as I’m here, there and everywhere at any given moment. Sometimes for a couple of months at a time! However as a student of Pav’s for the past four years, I can qualify that his passion and belief in teaching me to play the guitar has given me another creative skill that I’m able to continue with wherever I go.
Thank you Pav and ‘hello’ Zoom!‘
Sarah Hope-Walker Novelist London
I had barely picked up a guitar before meeting Pav on a recommendation. I had long wanted to play but had never known where to start. Balancing a busy family and career with learning a new instrument seemed an impossible task. Pav changed all that. It’s one of the things I now look forward to every week. His infectious enthusiasm and charm as well as music teaching skills have been fantastic to work with. It's great fun learning with Pav and no two lessons are ever the same. A perfect mix of guitar and music technique with songs and riffs. You just seem to pick up skills and songs along the way, as if by magic. Brilliant and If you want to learn properly and have fun at the same time, he’s your guy !
Rupert Fane London SW4
Pav has been teaching my teenage daughters for several years now. We wanted them to learn a musical instrument for their own enjoyment, without any pressure to learn scales or to take exams which puts a lot of kids off. Pav has made their lessons easy going and fun and as a result they soon learned their chords without any difficulty. He always keeps them enthused and they now enjoy learning new songs and old classics alike.
Linda Flavell London SW11
My son and I took guitar lessons from Pav, me for classical guitar and Ben for bass. We chose Pav because of his abilities with both instruments, but little did we realize how capable he was, both with the instruments and with just the right teaching tone to encourage us and push us further and further with our abilities. His interest in our development was genuine and sparked a life-long friendship that I cherish, even though we are now separated an ocean away. I cannot recommend Pav enough if you are looking for someone to help you or a loved one learn guitar . Doug McMasters New York City
Our 6 year old son, Otto, started guitar lessons with Pav this year on a recommendation from a friend.
Lessons with Pav are always looked forward to. They are fun and inspiring and the 50 minutes is over in a flash. With a little practice thrown in, the improvement shows each week and strumming something cool on his guitar puts a big smile on sons face. We highly recommend Pav to anyone looking for a great guitar teacher.
James, Emma & Otto SW11
"Pav taught me for 8 years from primary through secondary school and in that time he helped me discover a love of music that I had not known previously. Not only a good teacher of the guitar; he was also a friend to me and incredibly knowledgeable when it came to the instrument. Going over to jam at his studio was always a pleasure, and I was quite sad when I stopped lessons before going to university. I would definately recommend him if you are looking to start (or continue) playing the guitar.
Sami Mason SW11
I am entirely delighted to write to recommend Pav. He taught my son Fred for about 5 years and we would gladly employ him again .He is a wonderful man and teacher.He is entirely committed to his pupils and to passing on his very considerable skills.He is gentle calm caring self-deprecating and a very effective and inspiring teacher
Mary Gibson London SW12
"Pav has taught two of my children and has understood both of them with their differing abilities and aspirations for the guitar.
He is encouraging and inspiring with his enthusiastic nature and has built up my son's confidence up when he doubted himself.
Pav thinks about your long term potential, pushing you to attain your potential, whilst making the guitar lessons fun and entertaining. " Fiona Banatvala London SW12
Pav taught guitar to my son Theo from the age of 6 . He empathised with him immediately and encouraged and nurtured his enthusiasm (even through those less exciting scale practices). We saw progress and an increase in technique and ability very quickly; Pav taught Theo for 10 years and it is largely down to him that he is now on the path to becoming a successful, working musician.
David Byrd London SW17
“Pav is an inspiring teacher, Tristan has learned so much in such a short space of time! I never need to remind him to practice as he is now so enthusiastic about learning the guitar. ”
Bianca Rowan London SW11
Pav is a great teacher and I had him for 5 years in which I learnt very much. He has a mix of productive teaching and keeping you enjoying the guitar. I would thoroughly recommend him and whatever personality the student he is teaching, he will accommodate him.
Jasper Davies London SW17
“I was a complete novice when I met Pav. He has an engaging personality and an innate enthusiasm which, coupled with his undoubted expertise, is inspirational. As well as the satisfaction of finally learning to play my first instrument, I positively look forward to each lesson”.
KEVAN BUCKLEY BSc MRICS London SW17
I've played the guitar myself for 40 years and was delighted when my teenage son got the bug too. Now, when we play together or when I just listen to him playing, it is clear my son has better technique than me, plays faster than me with a lovely tone and feel. I didn’t take lessons. Pav is the difference. Pav has shown my son how to play well and properly and it is such a joy to see my son, bit by bit, master this most beautiful of instruments. My son enjoys a bit of the banter with Pav and his confidence, as well as his ability with the guitar, has grown. Pav is a gem, a lovely man and knows where to get a good curry.
John Poorta London SW18
The seven years of lessons I received from Pav helped me to develop a passion and appreciation for music that I still have to this day. As well as his playing skill and instruction, I also benefitted from his first-rate advice when it came to choosing new gear and upgrading my guitar. For a young musician, being able to rely on the knowledge and experience of a teacher like Pav is invaluable.
Nat Williams London SW12
'Pav taught me for 7 or so years, from the age of 11 to 18. Even when I found the content challenging, I always enjoyed and looked forward to lessons with Pav. The fact that I remain friends with Pav today is testament not just to how good a teacher he is but also to what a nice person he is!’
Steffano Hollis London SW12.
Tom has been having weekly guitar lessons with Pav for many years now. He enjoys his guitar and regularly performs in the school concerts. Pav helps give Tom the confidence required for public performance.
Charles Wainwright London SW18
"My daughter and son thoroughly enjoyed Pav's guitar lessons. They both had different needs, my daughter is very meticulous and my son super energetic & active. Pav adapted very wonderfully to their needs, their wrote their own songs, learned famous songs and reviewed performances and iconic guitar history moments - they really enjoyed their lessons and learned their cords without really noticing. “
Karin Cooper London SW12
Before Pav was my guitar teacher, i was limited to one style of play on our vibrant and diverse instrument: extreme fire burning, ell raising heavy metal. so when Pav turned up one saturday morning i was to be introduced to a whole new world of musical playing. his love for music translates into his passion for teaching and bringing out the very best in his pupils, which is shown by the many distinctions he has brought out in me in the RGT series of exams. i am very grateful to have been coached by Balham's finest - Pav Sharda'
Rory Mitchell London SW11
" Pav is a very kind enthusiastic teacher. He pushes you to do things that you think you can't do at first. I really enjoyed learning the chords with him" Oliver 8 years
" Pav is an enthusiastic teacher who really nurture kids enjoyment of the guitar. He is patient and flexible in his style to the child's needs. Our son really enjoyed his lessons with him. "
Carolyn Whiteley London SW11
Pav is an excellent Guitar teacher. He taught my son Freddie for over a year. Freddie was introduced to Pav, as a beginner, and was quickly taught the basics. In a measured but progressive fashion he was instructed on open chords, bare chords and fingerpicking. Throughout all of Freddies lessons I have been impressed by Pavs patience and sheer enjoyment of what he does. His organisation of lessons is totally reliable, and Freddie’s experience of recording his own song “Doctor Roc” in Pav’s studio was priceless. He’s positive and engaging and I noticed Freddies enthusiasm and ability progressed considerably thanks to the teaching of Pav. Simply said Pav, knows what he’s doing, his combined skill, experience and love for music make him a highly qualified guitar teacher. I would not hesitate to recommend Pav to any Parent wishing to introduce their child to guitar.
Tino Persia London Cobham, Surrey
Pav helped and encouraged me through my RGT exams and gave me the confidence I needed to develope my musicality.
Martin Whitaker London SW18
I've been a student of Pav's for around 6 months and as a complete beginner I've found Pav's gentle encouragement combined with his profound skill and knowledge to be the perfect combination. In my late 40's I'm probably one of Pav's oldest students and although I've always wanted to learn the guitar I was concerned that most teachers orient their teaching around children and teenagers - this concern evaporated immediately upon meeting Pav, he's non judgemental, accommodates my erratic schedule, forgives my sporadic practice and always puts me at ease. This calm approach has given me just what I need to fulfill a lifelong desire to play guitar, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone.
Angus Coats London SW17
"Pav is a friendly tutor with an astute ability to advise on the subtleties and intricacies of one's playing. The improvements one makes from Pav's help are valuable and enjoyable.
Phil Andrews London SW12"
Pav has done an excellent job teaching our daughter guitar. He has listened to what she wants to achieve and adapted his lessons and tailored them to her. He is warm , approachable and makes learning fun. She looks forward to going to lessons every week.
Philippa Springman London SW17
"Cannot recommend Pav highly enough both as a teacher and a source of inspiration for my son, Adam; after two rather uninspiring tutors, Adam took to his lessons with Pav with such enthusiasm, it has been a major turnaround in his playing, his skill and the level of his ambitions". Chris Gilleard
Chris. Gilleard London SW16
When I overhear my son Alexander's lessons with Pav, it always sounds like he is playing the guitar rather than practising. He has enjoyed learning the guitar from his very first lesson with Pav and, in just over two years, he is on the point of taking his Grade 3 exam. Pav has a fantastic rapport with my son because he is an engaging teacher and has taken the time to get to know Alexander's personality. We feel very lucky to have found Pav: he is Alexander's primary music teacher and I'm sure that Alexander will remember him as one of the best teachers he had during his school years.