Cristopher E.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

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• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: Yes
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Guitar, Classical Guitar, Music Performance, Music Theory

Education

North Coast Alternative High School - HS Diploma - 2000-2001 (High School diploma received)
Mira Costa Community College - General Ed - 2001-2004 (not complete)
UCSD - Music/composition - 2004-present (not complete)

Lesson Details

I want the student to have fun with music, and rather than focusing on scales and tedious exercises, I have my students learn technique and music theory more from the actual music (Not to say that learning and practicing scales isn't important, but it is much more useful in the long run to have actual musical melodies and riffs that you can play, and that you know how to take them and use in different musical situations).

I try and be as flexible with the student as possible, as I know we ... all have different goals and amounts of time that we can dedicate, but I believe that even if someone just wants to learn some basic guitar playing, that a little understanding music theory will help them go a lot further.

Regardless, the student should be able to learn the music they want to play, and I will go out of my way to try and find/learn the music you want. I will even transcribe or write my own arrangement if I can't find a suitable one, or to make a simpler version that the student can learn. I believe the student should be able to access and interact with the type of music they want to learn early on, as this will help keep the student interested while at the same time teaching him/her the elements of music and guitar.

As I want the students to be able to interact with the music as early as possible, I will always try and find ways that we can play together, and I will even make recordings so they can practice playing with someone even when they are at home. I also will periodically record the student so that they can not only get the experience playing and recording, but so that they can also look back on their progress, as well as having something they can show their friends/family.

While I mostly play classical, rock/metal, and jazz, I can help students with a large variety of styles, including blues, r & b, and pop music. I also believe that learning different styles and how to take the elements from each that you like and make them your own will lead to a greater mastery of the instrument, regardless of which style you prefer to actually play.

I recommend that my students practice at least thirty minutes a day if they want to see consistent progress, although in the beginning they may not be able to practice that much until they develop calluses on the fingertips. Of course, if they can practice more, that would be great, but I understand that with everything else going on, it isn't always possible to practice every day or for everyone to put the same time into it.

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About

I began taking piano lessons when I was six years old, but switched to guitar lessons at age ten. Ever since then, my passion has been playing guitar and songwriting. I am a music composition honors major at UCSD.

Whether you want to learn to be a guitar virtuoso or you just want to be able to play some songs for your friends and family, I want to provide you with the best information and tools to help you accomplish your goals. I believe in trying to get the most out of the minimum - I ... want you to get the most benefit out of the time you spend, regardless if you are practicing for thirty minutes or for eight hours.

My background focuses mostly on classical, rock/metal, and jazz, and my specialty is the electric guitar. I can also help you learn classical guitar on a nylon string guitar if you prefer, including some flamenco.

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