Music Lessons in Benton, AR. It's your time.

"My Music background: Been in the church choir as a kid and teen. Love country and pop music. Never played any instrument whatsoever. Always wanted to learn to play the guitar. 2013 summer had taken beginner course at community college.

Lessons with Mr. Jeff: Taking group lessons at the community college, left me yearning for more as well as gave me the strong feeling that i was not learning my basics right. Hence decided to try private lessons. Was looking around on the web for Guitar teachers in/around Edison for couple of months. When i found Mr. Jeff online, and read his profile, I knew i had found my teacher. What impressed me most was:
1. His versatility in different genres of music. The vastness of his knowledge.
2. His specialized focus in finger-picking (My dream some day down the line!)
3. His flexibility in offering lessons - he even offers lessons on Skype.

Its been close to 6 months now. And i have enjoyed every moment in my music journey.

My greatest challenge was to unlearn many of the bad habits from the past. And Mr. Jeff has been greatly patient about it and has given me so many different options and tips/tricks to help me get better. He has a close eye and a sharp ear. There is not one note that i can slide under wrongly without him noticing. Right from handling the instrument right, finger positioning, to appreciating the playing of the instrument itself, he not only tells you how to do things right, but always backs it up with logical reasoning as to why he suggests certain ways. He never forces anything on you, but allows you to make your own choice - which i think is great, because since you are not forced to do anything that you are not convinced about, you have greater conviction to stick to it, because it was your choice.

While we follow the Hal Leonard's book for theory, from the very second lesson, i was encouraged to try playing songs that i liked - an effective approach to learn chords in parallel. And since i love to sing and play, (it was quite a challenge - which i didnt realise earlier), i couldnt just download the chords for a song from the net and start playing/singing right away. Mr Jeff puts a lot of effort in making the right chords for me, in the right scale that suits my voice and is in a comfortable range so that the end result is melodious to the listener. And given that am neither a great student (practicing regularly always a challenge!) nor a great singer, he has had to make so many versions in order to help reach my goals. Am honestly motivated by the fact he does not give up on me when i struggle with a song, but constantly finds ways of how I can conquer it. Maybe not how it is played in the actual record, but to an extent that gives me the satisfaction of being able to play that song within my capacity as a beginner. It is a great feeling when you play a song to tune for the first time.

Apart from being a keen observer, he is also very good with knowing the mood of the student and the student's perception to a particular music piece. He knows exactly what I think even before I can say it out loud. He clearly knows my strength and my weakness. This tells me that he is able to relate to me at my level and not from thousand feet high where he is. He is quick to appreciate when you do a good job and motivates you to stick on and persevere when it is not a great day at the lesson.
He also always remembers what was discussed in the previous lesson and the areas of improvement, so there is no escape. :) This has struck me most because, i know he is connecting to me as an individual student and that am not yet another student on the line.

He has also been most obliging with last minute schedule changes and has always accommodated me.

His home, where he gives his lessons is also very nice and warm. No awkwardness or discomfort of any sort. Thought i will mention this, because this was one of the thoughts in my head when i was searching for a teacher.

Overall I am very glad and thankful that he is my teacher. I will greatly recommend him to anyone who wants to start or take their skill to the next level, because he is not only knowledgeable and but "he can" teach. Hearing him play a piece, is motivation enough to persevere. I only wish I do him better justice by putting more time into practice.

Thank you very much Mr. Jeff."

"Very knowledgeable and patient. I am learning violin for the first time, and she takes the time to help with proper posture and positioning and technique."

"singing

Milton has done wonders with my daughter. I definatly recomend him and appreciate everything he has tought her. Thank you!"

"Darren has been a great instructor to my son Terrill. He's learning a lot and getting much better thanks to Darren. I wasn't sure how online sessions would work but they are going great. I'm glad I chose Darren."

"Megan is very patient and accommodating. Recommend for beginners!"

"I love listening to music. I took each of my sons to music lesson starting at age 4. Music and singing come natural to them now as adults.
My favorite times are listening to them and I would love to join in but I am always self conscience and don't want to embarrass them.
When we recently retired I decided to take some classes for enjoyment and also to push myself to conquer some fears..I was going to go to a local music teacher to inquire about singing lesson, but somehow I happened on takelessons.com and was matched up with Mr. Farobag. Lucky me!! I have been taking lessons on Skype for over 6 months now! Farobag is the kindest and the most patient teacher in the world..really, really..he makes me feel like I can keep a tune and that I am capable of improving.
I actually pleasantly surprised my family by volunteering at a camp talent show over the summer. I might not have been the best but I was given a standing ovation for trying. (and probably the oldest up there!)
..and this is the best..I was taking lessons for more than 2 months when I decided to look up Mr. Farobag on the TakeLessons site..Oh My Goodness! I really lucked out - that is all I will say- as I could go on and on about his talents and cv!
Thank You Thank you Farobag for your encouragement."