Stop guessing what to practise.
Watch a short introduction
You’ve worked hard… but something still isn’t clicking.
You’ve put the hours in, but your playing still doesn’t feel as natural, confident or instinctive as you’d hoped.
Every new tune feels overwhelming.
Opening an unfamiliar lead sheet still feels like standing at the bottom of a mountain.
Theory makes sense… until you start playing.
You understand scales, chords and harmony, but when it’s time to improvise, everything seems to disappear.
You don't have the right resources to practise effectively.
You find yourself searching for exercises, backing tracks or resources, but they are never quite the right fit for your goals, your instrument or where you are in your development.
Everyone seems to say something different.
You’ve watched videos, read books and taken lessons, but instead of feeling clearer, you feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice.
INTRODUCING SOUND KITCHEN COACHING
Start with a clear destination
We define what you want to change and what success will look like for you.
Follow a personal roadmap
Every practice session connects to a clear priority and a larger musical goal.
Bespoke resources built around you
Bespoke exercises, backing tracks and resources created specifically for your goals, your playing and your next steps.
Stay supported as you progress
Get expert guidance and feedback between sessions so you can solve problems, stay clear and keep moving forwards.
90-minute assessment and roadmap session
We’ll identify your goals, understand your current playing and create a clear direction for the next three months.
Six 60-minute one-to-one coaching sessions
Practical sessions focused on developing your playing, applying new ideas and working through the areas that will make the biggest difference.
A personalised practice plan
A clear approach designed around your goals and the time you realistically have available.
Bespoke exercises, backing tracks and resources created specifically for you
Materials designed around your playing that you can keep and continue using long after the programme finishes.
Support and feedback between sessions
Send recordings, questions or practice updates between sessions and receive guidance when you need it.
Recordings of every session
Revisit explanations, demonstrations and feedback whenever you need them.
Only five places available
Sound Kitchen Coaching is built around close, personalised support. By working with only five musicians at a time, I can give each person the attention, feedback and guidance needed to build a programme around their playing and make meaningful progress.
WHY WORK WITH MIKE?
Hi, I’m Mike.
I’m a jazz saxophonist, composer and educator. I’ve balanced a career as a professional performer with helping musicians become more confident, instinctive improvisers.
Real-world performing experience.
I perform throughout the UK and internationally, have released two albums as a bandleader and work alongside many of Europe’s leading jazz musicians.
Thousands of hours helping musicians grow.
I’ve taught musicians at every stage, from students discovering improvisation for the first time to experienced professionals looking to deepen their musical voice.
Both sides of that work shape how I coach: grounded in the reality of making music, and focused on what genuinely helps a musician grow.
RECORDING
Released two albums as a bandleader.
PERFORMING
Perform across the UK and internationally.
LIVE
On stage at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
TEACHING
More than twenty years of teaching.
HOW I TEACH IMPROVISATION
Develop your ears and musical instincts so you can respond naturally rather than relying only on conscious thought.
The goal is not simply to understand concepts, but to make musical ideas part of how you actually play.
Connect notes, chords and ideas together so harmony becomes something you hear and feel.
Focus on the things that create the biggest musical difference before adding more information.
“
Studying with Mike really helped me develop my approach to improvisation, tone and time feel, thanks to his wide-ranging expertise and useful practical exercises.
— Alex
“
My playing developed hugely in my time being taught by Mike. I started to find my own sound. Highly recommend!
— Will
“
Mike always was able to convey points in the best way for my learning and progress as a musician whilst always keeping lessons practical and fun. I progressed so much under his tuition.
— Rhea
Is this the right next step for you?
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All five founding places have now been taken. If this sounds like the kind of support you’ve been looking for, join the waitlist and I’ll contact you first if new coaching places become available.
Join the waitlist
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THE FOUNDING INTAKE IS NOW FULL
All five founding coaching places have now been filled.
If you’re interested in working together in future, join the waitlist. I’ll contact waitlist members first if new coaching places become available.
30-day risk-free guarantee
After your initial assessment and first month of coaching, if you don’t feel that we’ve identified the right goals for your playing and given you a clear direction for your practice, you can request a full refund.
No complicated conditions and no awkward conversation.
Ready to take the next step?
1
Join the waitlist
Leave your details and let me know a little about what you'd like help with.
2
Hear about new places first
If I open further Sound Kitchen Coaching places, I'll contact the waitlist before announcing them more widely.
3
Decide if it's right for you
There’s no commitment. If a suitable place becomes available, we can have a conversation and decide whether working together feels like the right fit.
Join the waitlist
Finding the right fit matters.
I only want to work with musicians where I genuinely believe this coaching can make a meaningful difference. Joining the waitlist doesn't commit you to anything. If new places become available, we'll still have a conversation first and make sure the programme feels like the right fit.
Before starting any new programme, it’s natural to have questions. Here are some answers to the things musicians often ask.
How much experience do I need to join the programme?
Is this programme suitable for all instruments?
What do I need in order to take part?
How much time do I need to practise?
Is this different from having jazz lessons or buying an online course?
What happens during the three months of coaching?
Are flexible payment options available?
When does the programme start?
How does the 30-day risk-free guarantee work?
What happens after the three months?
I have another question that isn't answered here. What should I do?
A note from Mike
If you’re still reading, there’s probably a part of you that knows you want to develop your playing, but you may still be wondering whether this is the right next step.
I’m really excited about this programme. It brings together everything I’ve learned through my own development as a musician, more than twenty years of performing and thousands of hours teaching. My aim is simple: to help you make meaningful progress, enjoy the process and become a more confident, instinctive improviser.
I don’t yet know when I’ll open new coaching places. But if you think this could be the right kind of support for you, join the waitlist and I’ll make sure you’re among the first to hear if new places become available.
There’s no commitment, and if I do open further places, we’ll still have a conversation first to make sure it feels like the right fit.
All the best,
Join the waitlist
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