Costa Mesa, CA Guitar Lessons

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Teaching Philosophy -

My teaching philosophy is built on well rounded communication, explanation and examples. So, that a student can truly understand and learn a topic, surrounded in a very humorous, light and supportive environment.
Along with being provided good information, a student learns better and feels more motivated to learn when there is a balance of positive support and confidence building accompanied by constructive criticism and examples/information that can help a student assess what ever walls they may be meeting in their musical growth.

I understand that all students/artists have different goals they wish to achieve. So it is very important to me to accommodate each individuals needs and wants to help them grow in the fields they wish too; However, In that I have played music for a long time, I understand there are certain things that a student may not have been exposed to yet; It is important that while focusing on a students artistic goals they respect and are open to the suggestion and guidance of their teacher.

I truly believe music has an amazing influence on the world and has the ability to change peoples way of thinking. Therefore, I try and keep an open awareness to all music, so that I can understand all different musical languages utilized to communicate to people, and I don't believe I will ever know them all. I hold it to attention to influence my students somewhat similarly so that they can shape the landscape of how we communicate musically in the future.

I also try and be very patient with my students. Knowing that when I feel rushed, it makes information more difficult to comprehend, remember and allocate. I love watching the gears run in my students head, so I try and provide information that pushes a student but is within their abilities.

HUMOR is very important. I like to break people out of their shell by telling a joke and hopefully getting one back, so they feel more comfortable and free. One of a Artists worst enemies are nerves. Keeping things light-hearted and maybe even a little small talk can be very helpful to a students development and growth on a topic. After all, Art is meant to be fun and we should enjoy every moment of it, in fact we should enjoy every moment in life period.

I understand music requires focus and discipline and I have certain expectation of a student to understand that and practice. You can't buy chops, you can't buy music theory etc. you can get help but eventually your the one who must understand it and play it.

I am here to help you. Based on what I know and what I have extensively studied, I will do all that I can to help you achieve your musical goals. I am here to answer your questions and help you grow. I love teaching because I love sharing knowledge; As long as your seek it, it is here for you. Otherwise, I'd still love to hear some jokes.

Education -

MUSIC
_Bachelors in Music - 2016 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Associates in Music - 2011 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Major in Music - (Academy for Visual and Performing Arts) - 2008
_Garden of Angels - 2003 - Performance Academy

DANCE
_Krump, Pop-n-Lock - 2012 - (Xtreme)
_Break Dancing - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_Traditional Brazilian Dance & Samba - 2014

MARTIAL ARTS
_Capoeira - Current - (Capoeira Batuque with Mestre Amen)
_Wing Tsun - 2013 - (Johnny from the Emin Boztepe School)

ART
_Graffiti - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_General Art - 2008 - (AVPA)
_Painting - 2003 - (Garden of Angels)

Much Love,
Azuri Zen M.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm very disciplined but am also very light hearted. It's important for me to assess things seriously, so that one can understand a topic or piece of information.

I generate my lessons based on the individuals needs and therefore draw from various curriculums, sources and examples, such as : MI curriculum for ear training, Theory, Single string Technique, Reading, Rhythm guitar, Ted Greenes Chord Chemistry, Berklee Guitar Method, as well as The Real Book, other artist books(Eric Clapton, etc.) The Guitar Players Hand Book, Bach pieces and self developed curriculums, relative to the topic at hand and students personal goals, amongst many others.

-Beginning students within three months of consistent lessons should have the ability to solo and playing chords to songs that they are interested in and songs provided in the lesson along with a basic understanding of the major scale and its relationship to all of the diatonic music.

-intermediate students should have an elevated understanding of scale and chord patters along with the theory that explains modal relationships and use of these concepts.

-Advanced students should learn all of diatonic scale shapes and modes assuming they don't already know them in which case their specifically situation will be assessed

-Professional students I expect to have specific questions therefore where they grow should be largely subjective.

Overall, in a short amount of time on a scale of 1 - 10 I expect to in three months at-least elevate a students musical abilities one full point if not more.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio in home in private room with guitars, amps, piano, and seating.
Em's studio is family owned cafe with studio in finished basement with an office, recording equipment, and teaching space for acting and guitar.

*** Specialties ***
As a Musician I try and play as many styles and be proficient in as many as possible and therefore can play most. However, in the fields of blues, jazz, funk, flamenco and Latin I excel.

ns for the last 6 years.

With all of this experience and knowledge, I offer a student a very rich understanding of many styles of music. I can ensure that a student gets on the right track towards a bright musical future, whether they want to become a professional musician or whether they want guitar as a lifelong hobby.

*** Lesson Details ***
When you take lessons from me, you will be taking the fastest route to success: playing a lot of guitar! We will cover everything from music theory to technique to soloing to playing your favorite songs, but we won't be spending the lesson time talking. Everything you learn will be quickly put into a playable, practical context, so that you learn the most, and have the most fun!

I have high expectations for my students, and practicing every day is a requirement. But because my curriculum is personally tailored to each individual student, and involves a lot of the music that the student is most passionate about, I find my students often love to practice! I also use a variety of musical texts to enrich the students learning (including, but not limited to, Practical Theory for Guitar by Don Latarski, Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner, the Real Book series, and various Mel Bay books).

After about 6 months, a new student will have learned most basic chords and scales, the building blocks of playing solos, and a good handful of their favorite songs! More experienced students will have enriched their understanding of guitar and how it relates to the music they love, and music that is new to them!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons will happen in a studio room at the guest house, electric/acoustic guitars, bass and amps are available, it has instruments on the wall, computer with recording equipment, free street parking. In the event that a student in allergic to cats/dogs, the lessons can occur on the backyard at a roofed area.

*** Travel Equipment ***
guitar, amp, any effects if necessary. student must provide guitar (any kind)

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in rock, pop, folk, and jazz guitar styles. I focus on material that the individual student is excited about and wants to learn, and incorporate fundamentals and other pertinent skills necessary to maximize the students ability.

For bass guitar I specialize in rock and pop.

Contemporary songwriting technique is not genre-specific and I can teach any type of songwriting, from hip hop to country to rock. I have been a songwriter for 7 years, and have released 3 full length albums and one EP of my original material. I was also a student in the pilot classes which later became USC's Popular Music degree program. These classes focused on songwriting and were taught by industry veterans Chris Sampson and Richard Smith.

I was trained in advanced music theory as part of my degree from USC. I integrate theory into my other lessons but I can also teach theory alone.

I have advanced skills with ProTools and have extensive experience (5 years) in recording, from professional studios to personal home setups.

ow my students to be as open-minded as possible. I look forward to meeting you and helping you reach your full potential as a musician!