Gonçalo Oliveira

I’m a Portuguese guitar player based in Den Haag. I teach, perform and compose music, having taught several students of different levels and ages, including children and adults, performed in several venues and been in several musical projects.

I’ve completed two bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Guitar: one in the Lusíada University of Lisbon and the other in the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague and have enrolled into a Jazz Guitar Master degree in Antwerp. In the music I make and perform, I explore different types of music in the several groups I work with, such as alternative punk/rock, contemporary jazz, improvised music, folk/singer-songwriter, etc. I’ve played in several venues like the Hot Club and São Luiz Theater in Lisbon, Korzo Theater in The Hague, WORM in Rotterdam, La Conserve in Leuven, and others.

What I love about the process of making and performing music are the endless possibilities that exist well within the grasp of anyone who really attempts to understand them. Not only this but, while understanding them, still wanting to explore their own interesting form of expression and being able to reach the level of focus and entertainment (both at an intellectual and emotional level) that has the potential to “elevate” our minds and personalities. Basically, Music is true fun and entertainment.The guitar is, for me, one of the most interesting vehicles for musical expression, given that it has immense sonic possibilities and continuously gives us, in so many ways, some of the most memorable, powerful and fun musical moments.

I find teaching one of the most intellectually engaging ways to pass on the knowledge I’ve gathered, while still learning from the students themselves. As I’ve mentioned, one of the things I find most important and interesting about music is the creation of a unique voice. The creation of this unique sound allows us to manifest our own interests and ideas about music and life in general in our playing and enjoyment of music. It is through this very attitude that I get to learn from the students and their personalities, and I believe that it is also something that makes students engage more with their own ideas and perceptions, which in turn makes them progress more.

In class, I always make the effort of understanding what are the goals and interests of all students, as well as their own skills. This way we can address the issues at hand more effectively and make sure the student never loses his/her interest and focus in music and his/her instrument. I believe that an honest and friendly relationship between teacher and student is essential for this exchange of ideas to happen more clearly and fluently, and so I do my best to make everyone feel comfortable enough to share their own thoughts freely.

You’ll learn your favourite songs by your favourite artists, about Technique, Ear Training and all the basic musical knowledge you need, as well as all of the more advanced concepts you’ll want.We’ll transcribe the pieces we want to learn, which will provide you with a more direct connection between the guitar and the music and will also help developing your ear, as well as have them written down and recorded so they can be prepared at home. We’ll zoom in specific areas of the pieces we practice, which will provide you with more technical understanding of your instrument.There are also specific exercises and practice material to be worked on and that’ll help you with your knowledge of both Music and the Guitar.

Also with reference to the music you like, we will analyse the scores, structures and ideas of several pieces, which will enable us to grasp both the most basic theoretical knowledge we need to start with more in depth concepts.From reading music to understanding about the chord progressions and melodies of the pieces we’ll get an overall understanding of the theoretical basis for most Western Music.

For those curious about how to express their own artistic ideas, I can help you develop the knowledge on to how to do that. Music theory will also be taught, as it is also essential for developing this craft, as well as an appreciation on the aesthetics and meaning behind the music. We’ll learn about sound qualities, texture, harmony, melody, rhythm and several techniques for developing a piece.We’ll also talk how to balance your instincts and your craft, since music should be an both honest expression of yourself and a developed composition providing us with an experience that elevates our minds.