A mobile guitar school has started offering lessons over the internet.

Chris Poole of Rutland Guitar School made the move in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the need to social distance.

His business began three years ago and claims a large student base across all Rutland, including Oakham, Uppingham, Cottesmore, Ketton and everywhere in between.

Chris teaches students of all abilities and age-groups, ranging from 6 to 86, from absolute beginners to advanced students brushing up on technique.

The 28-year-old came from Peterborough to Oakham 14 years ago and began learning to play the guitar when he was ten.

Chris told Oakham Nub News: "I've always wanted to be a music teacher, ever since I was at school. For most my working life I always worked in pubs and bars, so had no chance of teaching guitar."

However, when he and his wife had their second child, the unsociable hours of the hospitality trade led him to launch a Facebook page, aiming to teach guitar in the evenings.

Chris said: "I wasn't expecting much but man I was wrong. It took off and lead me to leave my daytime job to start teaching full time. So as of July 2018, I was teaching guitar full time in and around Rutland.

"I have been going from strength to strength ever since. I have started teaching in schools, a bit further afield and getting involved and starting different projects."

The coronavirus epidemic has now made face-to-face teachin difficult, so Chris has begun teaching online only.

He continued: "Just for the safety of everyone, it made sense to go for Skype/zoom/FaceTime lessons only. And the feedback has been fantastic. Most of my students have been up for online lessons and I've also gained a few more students too from this little online venture. It isn't my ideal way of teaching but it's great for the current climate we are in.

Chris has also started doing some daily online free lessons.

"On my Facebook page, I have something for everyone to get involved in. While the kids are off school and people aren't at work, I had the idea to run some free lessons. The guitar is a great distraction from everyday life and what better time to learn while stuck inside. We are into our second week and they've been a real hit. I have had some awesome feedback from it all."

Outside 'work' Chris plays in a function band called "Funked Up", with two brothers and two others he says are like family anyway. The group mainly plays at weddings, parties, functions, festivals and pubs.

He added: "I'm looking forward to getting back to normal so we can get our gigging again and I can resume face to face teaching but I'm so happy at how the online lessons have gone so far. And hope it goes from strength to strength over the coming months.

Chris can be contacted at chris@[email protected] and on 07415346043