Guitar with Michael B.

To start off, music is my life. I started playing the trombone when I was 8 and have never stopped loving it. When I was 13 I picked up the guitar and it has been a huge part of my life as well. I played trombone in multiple jazz ensembles, wind ensembles and orchestras throughout high school. Recently, I graduated from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music with a BA in Music. While at BW, I studied trombone with Alan Kofsky, who was the primary chair for the Cleveland Orchestra for 39 years. He helped me fine-tune my skills which allowed me to perform in quite a few different ensembles which taught me how to play multiple genres of music. Also, in 2009 I had the opportunity to perform in Carnegie Hall in an Armenian Youth Competition which I ended up being one of twelve winners. Currently, I am playing guitar and singing in a local Cleveland rock band called Don’t Fight, Eat Fudge which I write all the music for. We have played in great local venues such as, Brothers Lounge, Grog Shop, Beachland Tavern, Now that’s Class, and The Purple Shamrock. I also recently opened for the band Reel Big Fish which was a great time. Throughout high school and college I taught students in my free time and during summer. I helped them achieve the skill levels they wanted to achieve, and made sure they enjoyed doing it. I’m excited to meet my future students and help them achieve their own musical goals. *** Lesson Details *** The first goal I want to accomplish with a new student is to make sure they are motivated by creating fun and relaxing environment that will allow my student to be comfortable and not intimidated. Music is meant to be enjoyable; otherwise no one would do it. Let’s make music fun, creative and rewarding. I consider myself to be very versatile in both the guitar and the trombone. With the trombone, I can work in classical, jazz, pop, rock and funk. With the guitar, I work in rock, jazz, blues, folk, indie, pop, hip-hop, and a little bit of classical. Although, if there is another style a student wants to learn, I will accommodate them. Here are some techniques we will learn on guitar/bass: Strumming Patterns and Chords Scales and Modes Alternate Picking Bending Harmonics Fingerpicking, and Slapping Creating Riffs, Licks, and Bass Lines Songwriting Technical Mastery Ear Training Music Theory Improvisation Guitar Maintenance, Amplifiers and Effects Here are some techniques for the trombone: Note Reading Sight Reading Ear Training Music Theory Slide Positions Slide Tuning F Attachment Tone Color/Quality Trombone Maintenance Improvisation Ear Training Rhythm/Melody *** Travel Equipment *** The student should bring their own instrument and if they are playing electric guitar or bass, it would be preferable for them to bring their own amp, but if they cannot bring one I can accommodate them. I will provide a music stand, but they should have their own music books for practice purposes. I will bring my music books for lessons and will help them purchase the right books to get started on.