Phil B.

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

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: No
• In-Studio Lessons: No
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar

Specialties

I teach guitar from a self taught position, stressing chord knowledge, ear training, reading skills, techniques and learning to improvise. Drums and bass are more for beginners.

Lesson Details

We will learn what it will take to get you to where you want to go. One thing I realize is that many students have different expectations out of their music, some are more casual and some more driven. Some want to play a few nice chords around a camp fire, and some want to be active in bands and even to the idea of becoming a studio or professional musician. I try to figure out your desires early, and approach your lessons that way.
For you beginners, I usually start out with learning basic ... body, arm, hand and finger positions, to relax and be comfortable with your guitar. I usually then will give you a few easy "exercises" that will get you going, usually something fun like an easy rock riff or other song the student might be familiar with.. I usually always start off in a guitar method book, because I think learning to read and understand formal notation is very important, to learn about basic music knowledge, ie, notes, timing, pitch etc., plus the exercises in the book, while often not that exciting at first, are good ways to start off. After a few weeks, if you practice, I will begin to teach you more complex chords and scales (usually the blues pentatonic). There really is a lot to learning to play any instrument. The physical technique, timing, pitch recognition, ear training, the idea of improvising, and also band skills including care of the guitar, tuning, and equipment. I will try to get the student to be able to work on all these things, and get the student used to having them as part of their practice schedule and thinking process.
I find myself often teaching local working players who come to me asking how they would like to expand their knowledge of chords and scales and modes and get out of the "box". Many are fine players looking for new cool scales and ideas to add to their arsenal. The more you know about music, the easier things come to you. It's fun for me too, because often as a lesson, we will sit and jam and experiment with chords progressions. Don't forget, this is gonna be fun!

Read More »

« Read Less

Phil's Photos

Average Rating