Gavin strikes the right chord in guitar playing guide

As a self-taught musician University of Teesside Graphic Design student Gavin Bell can hit the right notes when it comes to writing and designing a self-help guide to playing the guitar.

The 31-year-old former professional musician from Murray Street, Hartlepool, has produced Humbuckerr, which technically speaking is a pick up microphone on a guitar, but for the sake of his Graphic Design final year project it's an interactive CD Rom guide to playing the electric guitar aimed at beginners and more prolific players.

Gavin has played for a number of bands in his ten year musical career and is currently performing with Newcastle singer/songwriter Paul Fisher. He sees the project as an ideal combination of his professional and personal interests.

He said: "Being an active musician has helped maintain my musical interest and ability and finance my studies. Humbuckerr is a 21st century approach to music tuition; it's intended as a fun way of relating some of the aspects of music theory on screen that you can then apply to your guitar playing."

Gavin's work will be featured in the Design Degree Show at the University of Teesside's Main Hall which is open from 19-21 June from 9am-5pm. For more details on the exhibition please contact Helen Smith in the School of Law, Arts & Humanities on 01642 384052.

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