Singing with Steven H.

I'm a songwriter, composer, musician, performer, and educator. I graduated from ASU in 2005 with an emphasis on jazz guitar. Then I lived in Brazil for a little bit and fell in love with samba, bossa nova, mpb, and chorro. I went back to Arizona for 2 years then had the rare opportunity to teach in Bermuda. While there I conducted a jazz camp, recorded a jazz duo album, played 'The Full Monty' musical, and taught private lessons and group lessons at the high school. Since moving to NYC in early 2009 I've been playing out at several clubs and bars with a wide variety of groups. I also perform every summer with a street theatre group that plays in all the parks around the city. As a guitarist I've shared the stage with such jazz greats as Joey DeFrancesco, Scott Wendholt, Rich Perry, Sam Pilafian, Gunther Schuller, Mike Crotty, Mike Kouker, Papa John DeFrancesco, Regina Carter, Quincy Davis, and several others. I've opened and had my tunes performed before Alicia Keys, UB40, and The Neville Brothers. *** Lesson Details *** On our first lesson we will discuss what your musical interests are and the goal for your lessons. I like to gear lessons towards what you want to learn. Most students have an iPod so I'll ask them to play me an artist they like. If the song isn't too difficult I'll figure out how to play it and then teach them as much of it as I can in the time we have. Being able to play a song you like is great motivation to practice. If a song is really hard then I will break it into chunks for the student so they learn a little each week. I then use the song to explain music theory, rhythm, history and other concepts. I've found over my long teaching career that having a song as a point of reference makes it easier for people to grasp new ideas. I'm very laid back but I have high expectations of my students. If I give you a task I want it to be done by the next week so we can learn something new. That being said I have so much to teach that if you had a busy week and didn't have time to practice there is always something to work on. Typically, if you're practicing a little everyday you'll be able to play songs you like proficiently within 3 months or less depending on how much you practice. I can teach you pretty much anything you want to learn. The speed at which you excel and master something is up to you. It takes a lot of effort to make something seem effortless. *** Studio Equipment *** Music room with guitars and amps. *** Travel Equipment *** They must provide their own guitar. I will have my own guitar. It helps when there are speakers to play some music through. *** Specialties *** Bossa nova, samba, blues, jazz, chord inversions, theory made easy.