When learning a new instrument, there often many places a student can begin focus on, depending on what music knowledge they are coming with and what they are interested in. My teaching philosophy is to primarily teach what my student is interested in learning. With many lesson-providers, motivation to keep playing (“practicing”) and learning can often times dissipate when their student starts to feel bored or overwhelmed with a particular element of learning their instrument. As I see it, part of my job as an instructor, is to tailor my teaching approach to the individual. If the individual remains intrigued and excited by the instrument and the type of music they are learning to play then the student will stick with it and succeed.
One-on-one, private lessons provide the opportunity to inspire, motivate, and enhance the learning process. For example, I will be encouraging you or your child to focus on the feeling that underlies the playing of a song. Counting out beats per measure and such – can be explained before and/or after their musical attempts and executions, (not during). I also teach my students how to teach themselves, so that they will have the capacity to continue growing with their musical ability at the conclusion of our instruction time together.
What I Teach
Basic Instrument Tech, Construction, and Background: Types of guitars. Parts of the guitar. Stringing and string removal. Tuning methods. History of the instrument.
Theory: Chords (open and barre chords. Beginning level jazz and inversion chords.) Modes, scales, and arpeggios. Standard notation sight reading (using Hal Leonard's "Guitar Method" books, grade 1 and 2).
Playing: Various genres (of the student’s choice). Play by ear and/or tablature. Play by sight-reading standard notation (up to intermediate level). Picking techniques (both finger-picking and plectrum picking; various approaches). Rhythm Guitar (strumming). Lead Guitar (solo/melody lines).
Life-Application: Discussions on topics such as:
1. Goal setting; what to do with your musical ability once attained – for hobby (open mics, garage bands, making recordings for fun and friends, the enjoyment of playing for self, etc.) or for professional practices (solo and band gigs, recordings for profit, concerts, competitions, etc.).
2. Practice approaches and practice routines.
3. Resources; books, recordings, and website recommendations for supplemental studies.
4. Branching out to and prep for additional schools/institutions/advanced instruction.
Theory: Chords (open and barre chords. Beginning level jazz and inversion chords.) Modes, scales, and arpeggios. Standard notation sight reading (using Hal Leonard's "Guitar Method" books, grade 1 and 2).
Playing: Various genres (of the student’s choice). Play by ear and/or tablature. Play by sight-reading standard notation (up to intermediate level). Picking techniques (both finger-picking and plectrum picking; various approaches). Rhythm Guitar (strumming). Lead Guitar (solo/melody lines).
Life-Application: Discussions on topics such as:
1. Goal setting; what to do with your musical ability once attained – for hobby (open mics, garage bands, making recordings for fun and friends, the enjoyment of playing for self, etc.) or for professional practices (solo and band gigs, recordings for profit, concerts, competitions, etc.).
2. Practice approaches and practice routines.
3. Resources; books, recordings, and website recommendations for supplemental studies.
4. Branching out to and prep for additional schools/institutions/advanced instruction.