Tolleson, AZ Bass Guitar Lessons

nic Orchestra and Choir, as well as productions of "Cats", "Phantom of the Opera", Sesame Street, and touring all over Australia, U.S.A. and Israel. I have also been a part of the worship teams at Hillsong Church and C3 Church Australia.

I studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and also received my Licentiate Diploma from the Trinity College of London (L.T.C.L.) in French Horn (Teaching) and Licentiate Diploma from the Trinity College of London (L.T.C.L.) in Piano (Performance). So my experience not only comes from an inspiring teacher, but also from hundreds of performances on stages across the world working with the finest of musicians, singers, conductors and worship leaders.

I love music, and more so, love imparting it to others.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students come away from their lessons inspired and excited about their ability to accomplish their dreams. Whether it is to play 'Phantom of the Opera' or an Adele song, Debussy's Claire De Lune or Jingle Bells, I show them how to do it and help them get there. I am very thorough, taking no short cuts, but making it fun to learn an instrument. You will be amazed at what you are playing in three to six months!

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz, Rock, Contemporary Christian

eparatory private charter school and the Arizona Music Academy. I teach all levels of guitar, bass, and drums and tailor every lesson to the individual student’s needs and personality. My annual recitals are live-performance concerts featuring bands and other performing groups formed from among my students along with solo performances. My students also perform regularly throughout the community and are successful in their musical endeavors at all ages. I teach a wide range of genres and styles from classical music, blues, jazz and rock to heavy metal with an emphasis on becoming A-Level lead guitar soloists and song writers. I teach songwriting skills, music theory, and have even helped many of my guitar students be able to sing better while learning their main instrument.

*** Lesson Details ***
I make my lessons fun and informative and have had many students stay with me for up to 7 years. I show you everything you will ever need to know about music theory but in a very useful applicable way. I teach popular songs from any artist and classics that have stood the test of time and show you how to become a great song writer of your own giving you an insider’s knowledge about how to perform and have the audience standing asking for more. No matter if you want to become a pro lead guitar player or just play to have fun I can show you how to sing and play the guitar or piano at the same time or singing songs from church as well as your favorite rock or pop songs with confidence.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Just my own guitar and amp they need their own equipment.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, flamenco, rock, heavy metal guitar. I have also developed new classical guitar techniques that I call the "trem" stroke and the "harpeggio"

roduction & engineering program) Protools, Cubase, Reason, analog/digital recording techniques, editing, mixing, programming and sound design.

I have just completed five years at the School of Rock in North Hollywood/Burbank Ca. and five years at the School of Rock, Scottsdale AZ... Teaching drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keyboards, vocal and Show Direction for ensembles. Live perfomances at local and national venues.

Prior to SOR I was Dean of Curriculum and drum teacher for the percussion department at The M. Gray Music Academy, a state of the art facility founded by Grammy Award winning artist Macy Gray located in North Hollywood Ca.

On the tour front you will find me performing live with Boston hardcore legends DYS.

Al has performed or recorded with John Zorn, Cypress Hill, Soul Assassins, Martin Sexton, Zora Young, Everlast, MC RAI, Screaming Headless Torsos, the Warm Gunns, Zayra Alvarez (Rockstar: Supernova), Avenged Sevenfold, Lance Lopez, Cycle of pain...

As a performer/ writer/ actor, Al has appeared in numerous films, soundtracks and TV shows (B.H. 90210, Zoolander, Girl, Titan A.E., Bride of Chucky, Excess Baggage, Squeeze, Sex and the City, VIP, Daria, Late Nite w/ Conan O'Brien, Pepsi Musica, MTV's 120 minutes (co host), MuchMusic Live, Little Nicky, LATV Live, Loveline (co host).

As a touring musician, Al has shared the stage with Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne/ Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Metallica, Pantera, Cypress Hill, Kid Rock, Pharcyde, Korn, G Love/ Special Sauce, Marilyn Manson, Method Man, Slipknot, Henry Rollins, Snoop Dogg, N.W.A., Limp Bizkit, Primus, Everclear, Slayer, Filter, Static-X, Ozomatli, Juanes, Julieta Venegas, Charo, Los Lonely Boys, Rob Zombie, Incubus, Stone Temple Pilots and tours of North America, Canada, Europe and Japan with Powerman 5000.

"The primary goal is to educate students in the art of music, have a general understanding and be able to create your own grooves, songs and develop your musical voice"

Product Endorsements:
TAMA drums/hardware,
Zildjian cymbals,
Vater Percussion(sticks/tape)
Remo drum heads
E-Pad practice pads /accessories
Rhythmtec percussion.

excited to announce I am available for on-line lessons, and will now be able to work with students from all over the world, regardless of distance or location!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am laid back, but at the same time very goal directed. I like to do technique and/or vocabulary, note reading, and songs every lesson. After six months students are able to to 'jam', (improvise over chord changes such as the blues). They are well on their way to becoming literate, probably a third way through the first book. They probably can play a half dozen songs well, and are starting to strum (comp) chord progressions in a musically rhythmic way. They may even have played in a couple concerts by then.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Office studio w/ guitar, bass, amps, and seating for parents, computer with skype capability.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring my guitar and writing tools, extra picks, extra paper etc. Students provide their own instrument, method book, staff paper, notebook paper. Hopefully they have a music stand and their own guitar picks and other items relevant for the study of their instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, theory/composition, improvisation

mputers with recording software.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Keyboard, practice amp, and/or instrument cords. I expect the student to provide his/her own instrument, and prefer they have an amplifier for electric instruments.

*** Specialties ***
I teach in all genres, but have experience in rock, alternative, pop, jazz, and even music theater.

d reading sheet music, but for just about anything else, the lesson plans will be more customized to the taste of my students and will not require music reading ability in most cases. After the first few months, my students can expect to have a solid understanding of music, their instrument, and what steps to take to reach their long term goals.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I travel with my own guitar and bass guitar, but for piano and drum lessons, the student will need their own instrument and a quiet area to get the most from the lessons.

*** Specialties ***
While I have a degree in classical guitar, I have several years of experience with blues and classic rock, specifically on the electric guitar and drums. Aside from those, I enjoy all genres of music and have plenty of musical experience outside of the aforementioned genres.

Rock, Jazz and Folk Music of your choice. Today's modern new guitars are easy to play and you will enjoy learning Guitar right away. That is how it should be.
When you study there is a basic understanding of Guitar to be learned that allows an ease of use for anyone for years to come. This will help you reach your goal and improve each week. My students learn to practice in a way that feels comfortable and makes sense. This takes all the stress out of learning and gives everyone something to smile about and look forward to each week.

The good feeling of playing along with friends and taking a solo is within every students grasp. I will show you the way there. And with a solid and straightforward approach to the theory as it applies directly to the guitar you will feel confident and unafraid of any music endeavor. We'll cover harmony and fingerboard theory and give you a road map of the guitar neck that makes it a pleasure to play. You learn the basics and much more than you thought possible retaining 90 percent of what you learn!

Having been a student myself I was deeply involved in music since age 12 and played in bands and duos for over 15 years . I can help you to be a well rounded player and performer with a smile, a laugh and a joy for music whether your in a band or a budding solo artist.

*** Lesson Details ***
Most students want to play the Guitar to play their favorite songs and I'm the same way. Music is something we carry with us in our hearts and minds. Students will learn what they wish to learn and work at a pace that is comfortable to them. Whether you are a student, “weekend warrior” or a parent whose child has expressed an interest in Guitar anyone can learn all there is to know about Harmony and Theory for the Guitar and how to play their favorite songs.

We cover theory in an easy and straightforward no nonsense way in the first half of each lesson and then apply it to the song you wish to learn. This creates an atmosphere where you understand and feel at home with the Guitar. You get an understanding right away and because it is immediately fun it allows you to feel comfortable at any level. Music is fun, and songs are the creative expression of what we feel. Combining theory and the freedom to play and sing songs allows us to express ourselves through music. 
After 6 months students will have a solid foundation in theory, and a road map of the guitar fretboard enabling them to advance to an intermediate level if they are ready to do so. Students will know enough that music as it relates to the Guitar, which is the world’s most popular instrument in contemporary music, is not a mystery but is a welcome friend. And they will be able to play songs by popular artists and advance at a pace that is satisfying and enjoyable.
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Student Comments:
What Students Are Saying About ~ James Teaching Style

“James’ patience, knowledge and under-standing made learning guitar fun. I like the lessons. He cares.”
--Rebecca L., guitar
student, Venice Beach, CA 2003

“James taught me to
play pop and rock, and
introduced me to
fingerstyle guitar. I love it!”
--Joseph E., guitar student, Vancouver, BC 2006

“I studied guitar privately with James in 2010. His style of teaching helped me to get
past my blocks. He opened new doors for me. Thanks!”
--Daniel S., guitar
student, Los Angeles, CA 2010
""James is a trustworthy man, great with answering back right away. Always ready to help with new members. I would definitely recommend him." ~ PJ Stover of PJ Stover Voices; Independent Film & Recording voice-over artist
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What James spouse says about working on songwriting with him:

"James is my husband for over 10 years now. Over the years, I have seen James give guidance and counsel to many hopeful musicians of all ages, and inspire others about how music influences and benefits our lives. I would highly recommend James to anyone who wants to learn guitar, voice, music theory, and acting. James is a great talent, and study with him would benefit anyone with the sincere desire to grow as an artist. When we married, I had fallen in love with James’ conversational style, and his vast knowledge of music. When I heard him play guitar, I knew that I wanted to write songs with him, and we released our first album, in 2012 on iTunes."

Regards,
Keri W.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ovation Glen Campbell Artist Acoustic Electric Guitar, Ovation Pacemaker 12 string Guitar, Ibanez PF 5 Acoustic Electric Guitar, Fender Telecaster 6 string Electric Guitar. Korg Mini Pandora III Amplifier/Studio EFX, Toshiba Laptop Satelite Pro with PreSonus Studio One Artist Software, PreSonusUSB Audiobox, HD7 Studio Monitor Headphones, M7 Condenser Mic, PreSonus Studio Producer software with SoundCloud integration, iBook G4 with Garageband 3 and iLife Studio. Godin Summit CT Electric Guitar is the guitar I now endorse exclusively !

*** Travel Equipment ***
Lesson Plans, Godin Summit CT Guitar, Fender and Ovation Guitars, Tuner, Android Smartphone and apps, iPads, Korg Mini Pandora Amp, Toshiba Satelite Pro Laptop. Android LG Smartphone with Tuners, Voice Recorder, and Metronome and Chord Reference Guide, and Guitar Tuner, iPod Touch Pro Studio.

*** Specialties ***
Songs in the following styles: Pop, Rock and Modern Country Music. Also Composition Analysis while learning the song.

itar-helps-you-improve

I look forward to the possibility of helping you reach your musical goals.