Clyde brings real-life experience and advice to his teaching garnered from over 30 years in the music industry as a professional guitarist and teacher. He has mentored many hundreds of students during this time and has seen many go on to achieve their dreams, in Australia and overseas.
Always on the lookout for an opportunity to perform, Clyde welcomes contact from anyone with interesting musical projects or ideas. Composing music and playing the guitar are intrinsically linked to his identity and are transcendental art forms to Clyde. As a composer, arranger and performer, he has a solid background in helping artists transform ‘their idea’ into ‘their sound’.
Queensland Conservatorium of Music trained, Clyde is an AMEB examiner in contemporary music, workshop facilitator, a respected teacher of teachers, composer and arranger, and a guitar tutor. His extensive live performance application comes from years of touring throughout Australia and includes cruise ships, outback tours with Australia Council and AUS Music, gigs in city pubs and clubs, interstate circuit work, backing artists, panic guitarist, recording session guitarist, and distribution contracts.
Now based in Gympie on the Sunshine Coast with his wife Janet, Clyde teaches from his home studio and is involved in the SEQ music scene with various musical projects. For many years his music commitments required residing in Sydney and Brisbane. Every couple of years he travels to the UK where he spends time soaking up its folk/fusion/jazz/prog roots. It is a time to mix with the music fraternity and be inspired by the vibrant, experimental and diverse British music scene, and to guest spot at various outlets where he plays with his Celtic brothers.
“Apart from teaching, my focus is once again on performing and gigging. I also look forward to doing more composing for film.” Clyde believes the Sunshine Coast has the perfect dynamic for open-minded experimentation which will suit his multi-stylistic interests.”
Teaching is an honour for Clyde. He is passionate about his craft and seeks to instil a love of music, curiosity and creativity in his students- thinking outside the box, escaping from the predictable, taking the road less travelled. Above all, Clyde encourages people to be the best guitarist they can and want to be.
Qualifications & Affiliations
- Qld Conservatorium of Music (Assoc Diploma Jazz)
- B Arts (Sociology)
- AMEB Examiner (Contemporary Guitar)
- APRA Full Member
- Blue Card (Suitability to Work with Children)
- Australian Institute of Country Music (AICM) – Rock Band Mentor
- Qld Rock Awards judge (1993-1995)
- Virgo 7 Studios – session guitarist (1989-1993)
- Composer, Arranger, Performer
Clyde Schipke 