Niall Ransford

Guitar, Theorbo, Lute

Niall is a passionate musician who has experience playing and teaching in many styles. After earning a bachelor degree in music performance and composition at Bard College and winning the prestigious Presser Award, Niall began his music career playing as a soloist across the Seattle area.

Niall has been teaching guitar and music for more than 5 years, both privately and in the classroom. He began teaching at a non-profit in Salt Lake City that aimed to expand music education to under-resourced communities. Niall also worked as a paraeducator, helping students with different educational needs in public schools. Niall understands first-hand the potential for music to impact lives and works to expand music education in whatever way he can.

There are three pillars to Niall’s teaching philosophy: hand mechanics that lead to relaxed technique, efficient learning practices that help students improve quickly, and most importantly, fostering enjoyment and fun – without which none of us would play music. Niall is an approved teacher of the Scott Kritzer Method, a method developed in partnership with a hand surgeon to create a method for relaxed and sustainable playing. Niall also stays up to date on recent advances in educational psychology and neuroscience. Niall is full of tips and tricks to help students learn quickly and overcome obstacles.

Specialties: The Scott Kritzer Method. Applied neuroscience and educational psychology. Physical ergonomics of the hand and arm.

Levels: Total Beginner to Early Advanced. I have worked as a paraeducator and would love to work with students with different educational needs.

Ages:  6 +

I enjoy working with adult beginners and have the most experience with elementary and middle school age students.

Rates:  $55 for 30 min, $65 for 45 min, $75 for one hour

Availability: Tuesdays – Saturdays including Wednesday evenings

Online/In-Person:  Both

“...beyond any search for perfection.”

When were you first introduced to music and what got you “hooked”?

I first started playing guitar when I was 15 years old. What first got me hooked was playing the Robert Johnson blues song “32 20”. Learning that song introduced me to some of the unique colors that only the guitar can generate. I learned about the theorbo by playing in the Baroque Ensemble in college. When I first played in the Baroque Ensemble (on Bach’s Trauerode Cantata) I felt overcome. I was completely enveloped by the music of the wonderful musicians that surrounded me. To be a part of that creation was an amazing feeling.

What is one of your most memorable experiences as a performer?

While I was preparing for my degree recital I was asked to play for a funeral. I felt the incredible importance and the emotional impact of each piece I played. To have been a part of creating a healing atmosphere showed me just how meaningful music is, beyond any search for perfection.

Do you have any good practice tips for music students or musicians in general?

Take small 10 second breaks in between practicing difficult passages. Studies that have examined “microbreaks” and motor learning show that the majority of improvement happens in these small breaks. Also don’t feel afraid to practice in your head, with or without the notes in front of you. You’ll get tired less quickly and mental practice is just as important as physical practice.

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