An enterprising south London musician has been promoting his guitar lessons by giving passers-by the chance to take their pick.

Dave Bold has been teaching guitar since the early 1980s, starting when a music student at Goldsmith’s College.

He also worked for 13 years at Croydon’s world-renowned Brit School. After being made redundant from another position a year ago, Bold has concentrated on his guitar teaching business.

And at last month’s Acoustic Guitar Show at Earl’s Court, Bold had a special display outside, drawing visitors by providing some free plectrums, branded with davebold.com, stuck on to the neck of a fake guitars that we rigged up on bicycle locks outside the show.

And from the specially commissioned photographs taken as a result, the appeal of playing air guitar seems as strong as ever.

“We had numerous enquiries on the day, a spike in web traffic since the promotion and many people have since been in touch about potential lessons,” said Bold, who also plays guitar in a range of bands and music settings: from jazz to ceilidh music, and soul bands to solo guitar.

“In all it was a useful exercise, fun to do and definitely a different way to promote things.

“Interestingly this type of promotion is exactly what I was telling the students at BRIT they needed to be doing to promote themselves in the music industry. Funny how things turn out…”

Lessons with Dave Bold cost £25 per hour for one-offs and £20 per hour if booked as a block of six.

For children, Bold offers 30 minute lessons at £10 per lesson.

Bold’s students range from complete beginners to improvers to those studying for RGT grade exams. The lessons can take place at Bold’s home studio in Beckenham, or at your house or office (there may be an additional charge for traveling to you).

• More details, and bookings, can be made via the website www.davebold.com
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