Guitar with Chris K.

I've been playing guitar for 20 years. I got my first guitar when I was 10 (with some quick deducting skills, you can figure out how old I am. I believe my ability as a teacher will help you unlock the fretboard, just as easily as it was for you to figure out my age. It's all in how you deliver the information...) Since then I've received my BA in Music Performance from SUNY Oneonta, played on several TV shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live, toured the entire US, and parts of Canada, recorded and performed with many great artists (partial list below), taught guitar and bass lessons at The Mike Risko Music School as well as private lessons, played major festivals including SXSW, and The Roots Picnic, as well as written songs, recorded and toured with my indie rock band "Lip Talk" (formerly called "Railbird"). I love teaching. I believe each student is unique with their own set of goals. I tailor my lessons to each student's needs and musical interests. I'm not one to make all my students learn from the same curriculum. You can expect lessons to be fun and challenging. Lessons have a healthy balance of what I call "fun learning" such as learning to play your favorite songs, how to use effects pedals like distortion, delay, flanger, tremolo etc, writing songs, the recording process (learning how to record yourself with your computer), learning cool riffs etc... And what I call "disciplined or academic learning" such as scales, modes, theory, reading, rhythm, chord construction / advanced chords, methods / techniques for improvising or taking a solo, etc.. But of course, it's all up to YOU, the student! Whatever it is that you want to get out of your lessons, I have the ability and passion to get you there! Styles include: rock, indie rock, classic rock, hard rock/metal, ambient/sound painting, improvised music, blues, jump blues/rockabilly, country, folk, and jazz. Acoustic and electric guitar as well as bass guitar of ALL LEVELS. Song writing: In addition to being a full time recording and touring guitarist, and am also a songwriter and producer. If you are interested in learning what goes into writing and/or producing a song, I can teach you the methods and practices that I've learned from some of the best songwriters and producers out there. I've been fortunate enough to play with: Gus Seyffert (The Black Keys, Norah Jones) Danny Frankel (KD Lang, Fiona Apple) La La Brooks (original lead singer of the Phil Spector produced group "The Crystals") Susan McKeowen (Grammy award winning songwriter) Sean Rowe (on ANTI- Records) Tony Markellis (Trey Anastasio of Phish, Mike Bloomfield, The Mamas and the Papas) Kevin Maul (Wanda Jackson, the Luster Kings) Larry Clyman (Lonnie Brooks) Sam Zucchini (Kate Taylor) Music is FUN! *** Lesson Details *** Lessons are always fun, challenging and rewarding. Curriculum is based on the individual student's goals and musical interests. I will teach you the scales and modes you need to know to help unlock the fretboard and allow you to be more free when taking a solo or improvising. Reading music and understanding rhythm will give you the ability to play all your favorite songs. Beginners will learn all the fundamentals and of course, songs! I believe the best way to learn how to play guitar is to learn a whole bunch of songs. This will get the student comfortable holding, strumming and....PLAYING the guitar! With my intermediate and advanced students, we will talk about ear training, chord construction, intervals, harmony, etc, as well as work through various method books such as Mel Bay, Hal Leonard, and Berklee Press. The principles and concepts that I use work as well for rock, as they do for the most complex jazz. The reason is because ALL STYLES are connected by the fundamentals of music. Once you've realized that, it's all about how you would like to express yourself! Don't be overwhelmed, you will start connecting the dots right away. *** Studio Equipment *** Music stands, amps, electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, banjo, seating for parents. *** Travel Equipment *** Depending on the student, I will either have an acoustic or electric guitar, or an electric bass with an amp, and a music stand. *** Specialties *** My main instrument is the guitar. I specialize in pop, rock, alt rock, indie rock, ambient/sound painting, classic rock, blues, country, free jazz, finger style, folk, old time, and original composition. My band, "Lip Talk" is an indie rock band leaning heavily on guitar arrangements. I also play a lot of improvised music.