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our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference
checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's
employment with us.
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Levels: Beginner to Advanced
In-Home Lessons: Yes
In-Studio Lessons: Yes
Ages: 5 & up
Subjects Taught
Guitar, Music Theory, Saxophone, Songwriting
Education
University of Maine at Augusta - Jazz and Contemporary Music - 09/2007-05/2009 (Associate degree received)
University of Southern Maine - Bachelor of Arts in Music - 09/2009-05/2011 (Bachelor's degree received)
Specialties
I specialize in rock, jazz, extreme metal and modern "classical".
Lesson Details
For all lessons, we will set up a curriculum that allows you to improve at your own pace. Music is a joy and although I will encourage you to reach your potential, I intend these lessons to be a fun and stress-free experience.
Here are some specifics about the different lessons I offer:
Guitar:
I usually begin guitar lessons by helping the student build a repertoire of songs. Learning music by ear is critical for electric guitar players, so there will be a heavy focus on ear
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training. We will also work on reading notation, scales/technique exercises, and improvisation.
Saxophone:
At first, we will work on making your saxophone sound like a saxophone. Sometimes this is a daunting task, but with some practice we can overcome this obstacle without too much difficulty! We will work on sight reading, technique, amassing a repertoire and improvisation.
Music Theory:
Whether you're learning the basics of music theory or building on a strong foundation, there is an infinite amount of insight to be gained by looking to the music of the great masters. For beginners I will teach scales, chords and how to read music. For more experienced students we will learn how chords function and examine works from the masters to put theory into context. Above all, I will make sure you understand the connection between “theory” and the music that you love.
Songwriting:
We will look at songs that you love, and figure out what the "secret ingredient" is. We will talk theory a bit but will focus on developing your instincts for writing. If the student wishes, we can talk more about composition and how to write for strange instruments. I will guide the student but allow them to develop their own independent style.
Jordan is a guitarist, saxophonist, composer and music teacher/scholar from Portland, Maine. He is interested in most every form of musical expression but specializes in rock, jazz, extreme metal and modern "classical". He holds his Bachelor of Arts in Music (saxophone and composition) from the University of Southern Maine as well as his Associate of Science in Jazz and Contemporary Music from the University of Maine at Augusta (guitar).
He began his musical endeavors at the age of 10
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when he received his first alto saxophone. Since then he has gone on to study with notable saxophonists David Wells and Tim O'Dell, winning the “Louis Armstrong Jazz Award” for excellence in jazz performance during his studies.
Jordan began playing guitar at age 12 and has studied with Pat Keane and Bob Thompson. With his band Falls of Rauros, he has performed on recordings that are currently selling all over the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, and France.
As a composer, Jordan has written for chamber ensembles, piano, and operatic voice. He studied composition extensively with Daniel Sonenberg, a member of the acclaimed South Oxford Six. Jordan plans to continue his studies at the graduate level, and continues to compose regularly and refine his style.
Jordan's status as a member of a internationally known metal band has allowed him to perform all over the eastern US and Québec, including performances in Chicago, New York City, Louisville, and Montréal. They plan on touring the west coast in the fall of 2011, following the release of a new album.
