First News

How old were you when you started to play the guitar?

I started to play the ukulele when I was about 6, but always wanted to learn to play the guitar. At my school you had to learn the recorder to prove that you really wanted to learn music before you could play anything more interesting like the guitar. I spent my summer holidays learning how to play the recorder one year and was finally able to start on the guitar when I was 9.

What sparked your interest in music?

To be honest, I can’t remember a time before I could play an instrument! My parents say even when I was a baby I’d run over to pictures of guitars or the TV if someone was playing guitar on screen.

Did you come from a musical family?

No – my dad could play The Entertainer on the piano and played it every Christmas and my mum could play the clarinet – but I never heard her play it. My nan used to play the organ at church. Does that count?

Did you like music lessons at school?

No, I hated them. We had a really strict and miserable teacher. He used to cane us if we misbehaved! He would only teach us classical music, nothing modern, so I used to spend all my spare time practising all day every day with the idea that if I practiced a lot I would get better than the teacher! I learnt many songs and started to learn to use my ears to work out pop and blues songs off the radio and LP records.

What would you say to a reader who wanted to learn music but didn’t have a good teacher?

You need to find a way to learn. The internet has lifted barriers, I wish it had been around when I was learning! I have over 2,000 subscribers on my website (www.justinguitar.com) who have gone from never seeing a guitar before to learning how to play after using my free lessons.

Your website has had over 58million hits. Have you always been interested in computers?

Yes. When I was very young my dad used to buy my sister and I books of code – not programmes on disc. My sister and I had to hand code computer games. We’d work for days and end up with Pong (an old game where you shoot a ball across the screen a bit like table tennis. But less fun).

I decided to set up Justinguitar.com because I wanted a website to advertise my teaching. When I learnt how to see who was watching me I got buzzed at the idea that 400 people had seen my website, then 400 a day, then 40,000 a day!

What’s the easiest song to play?

Hmmm.. Wild Thing and Hey Ya are pretty easy. It’s always easier to play music that you like.

My favourite song to play? I have no idea. I just like playing. I really like playing my own songs. Maybe From Katie’s window (see below). I just like playing guitar

Do you find it hard to teach?

No, it comes really naturally. I started teaching when 12. I used to teach neighbourhood kids stuff I’d learnt for dollar. When I saved up enough money I’d use it for real lessons.

When I finished college I was accepted to The Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music to study classical guitar. At that point I started teaching at Elisabeth College (where I had been a student the year before).

What is the best part of your job?

I do a live show 6-7 on Ustream every Friday night (www.ustream.tv/justinguitar). 500 people per week show up and it’s interactive. I answer reader questions eg. what do I think of certain types of guitar strings, then maybe do a lesson. It’s up to the viewers. I love interacting with people who use the site.

How many instruments do you play?

I play the guitar, bass guitar, the lap steel guitar, keyboard, piano, clarinet, ukulele, mandolin, harmonica, and I’d say the computer too. When you are recording your demos you can use the computer to add other instruments like drums.  

What advice would you give someone who wanted a cool job like yours?

What I didn’t know as a kid was that it was all down to practise time. Professionals practise 8 hours a day! The more you practise, the better you’ll be. It’s almost like cheating! It’s the one thing that will give you the edge over your friends.

Justin Sandercoe is releasing a new album Small Town Eyes, out on February 28th 2010 (which you can pre-order on iTunes or buy from HMV).  

Justin Sandercoe has teamed up with First News to offer one lucky reader the chance to play the guitar with him and record their session in his West London recording studio where stars like Kylie have recorded their albums. Stay tuned for more details… but in the meantime, we will be featuring one of his FREE guitar lessons every day. Watch the video of Justin playing his favourite song From Katie's Window below.