Private Guitar tutoring lessons Studio City, CA.

ter the second CD, I was biographied for AMG (All Music Guide) the internet's first source for music information. Here are excerpts from the AMG bio:

... there are also elements of Jimi Hendrix (arguably the first true heavy metal/hard rock artist), Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan in her playing, and she clearly has a strong appreciation of jazz--not only jazz-rock fusion improvisers like John Scofield, Larry Coryell and Mahavishnu Orchestra founder John McLaughlin, but also, straight-ahead bop favorites such as Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass.......eclectic outlook is one of her strong points; her ability to move from a tough, aggressive blues-rock groove to a more cerebral, fusion-minded approach to the occasional soul-jazz/hard bop number has made for some very unpredictable albums.

I have been teaching full-time for the past 15years. I have taught all ages and popular styles. In 2008, my blues guitar method was published and distributed through Amazon.

*** Lesson Details ***
I incorporate a tailored curriculum to help people achieve their personal goals. Learning music is not a "one-size fits all" proposition. I can show you the songs that you want to play. I can also teach you music theory, technique, improvisation, reading and more. I adjust your course of study according to your areas of interest. If you are dying to learn a Led Zeppelin tune, or are planning on auditioning for a college level jazz guitar program, I can help you achieve these goals. I have taught hundreds of beginners along side more advanced students. My students have gone one to study music at GIT, Fullerton College, Pasadena City College, Berklee, Cal State LA, and USC.

Most of all, I am extremely patient. The ability to playing a musical instrument is measure on a calendar, not on a watch. I often work at a slow, systematic pace. I am generally very laid-back. On the other hand, if you learn very quickly, I can readily show you the skills you need to meet your goal. I have fast-tracked many individuals that were seeking admittance to an academic program.

My teaching studio is computer equipped. This allows me to incorporate computer software that enhances learning. One such program, Band in a Box, generates accompaniment for students so that they can work on their soloing skills. Another program can slow recorded music down so that the student can practice slowly with it. Also, I often give out play-along practice CDs for improved learning.

The aspect of performance is often not addressed by many. I am able to work with my guitar students while accompanying by performing live bass or drum parts, or work with bass students while playing the guitar or drum parts. This allows the student to understand his or her roll in an live band.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Dedicated music room room w/ guitars, bass, drum set, pa system, and seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
I teach all popular guitar and bass styles.
I am a expert in Jazz, Blues, and R&B. (degree in Studio/Jazz guitar)
Great with theory, technique and reading.
Have given recording lessons with CUBASE.
Now teaching drum kit to beginners

erformance savvy.
She relishes the chance to put her skills to the test in a wide variety of musical genres. In addition to writing and performing, Jen keeps busy as a private instructor to dozens of aspiring guitarists. She also has done over 1000 online instructional videos totaling up to more than 40 million views for YouTube and Mahalo website. Her various Mahalo website "Learn Guitar" apps have over 300,000 downloads and has had an itunes #1 ibook on how to play guitar.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students can expect a very patient supportive atmosphere. Lessons are catered to each students individual needs. The lessons are laid back but also with the understanding that if you work hard you can accomplish any goal that is set.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Apartment extra guitars, computers, music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect that the student has his/her own guitar. Any other specifics can be decided on after the first lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching blues, rock, and folk.

e "computer chip" in my head and put it in yours, we would do that. Study with me and you will get the next best thing!
4.If I say something that isn't clear, or isn't useful to you, I will ALWAYS re-explain, or say it a different way, until it is useful to you and something you know how to use for your benefit on your instrument.
5. If you have a practice schedule set up with me, and for any reason you do not have time to practice or get an assignment done, I GOT IT! You can always tell me, because I've been there and I know. Music Lessons are NOT school, and I will never act like they are.

OK, now for the credentials:

MY EDUCATION

I learned how to read music at 4 years old, before I had even learned to read English. If I can do that, anyone can do that given the right set of elements.
1. I started singing at three, piano lessons at nine, began teaching myself guitar at twelve and I have never stopped playing and learning since then.
2. I earned a B.A in Music from Towson University and graduated Magna cum Laude with a Major in Jazz/Commercial Piano Performance and a Minor in Opera.
3. I made my stage performing debut in a solo role at six, and I have never stopped performing since then. I wrote my first song, all by myself, at eleven and have composed over 1000 pieces since then.
4. I have studied brain science and practical neurology for fifteen years as part of my continuing education.

MY EXPERIENCE

In addition to my extensive study of the piano, I have had many other valuable experiences as a musician and teacher, including but not limited to the following:

1. I have been a choral singer for twenty three years, and during that time toured Italy, sang at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles for fifteen of those years, and worked on mastering just about every form of sacred choral and gospel music.

2. As a soloist, began performing professionally in 1988 and have done numerous performances of my own compositions around Southern California. I also have had songs of mine pitched to major artists in Nashville and currently compose both contemporary music and feature songs for film and television.

3. I developed a method of curing tone deafness, and authored a course that teaches this to anyone whether they are a trained singer or beginner. I also authored a second course specifically for karaoke singers to learn stage presence and better performance skills.

4. I have been teaching for twenty years, working with students from 3 to 78 years old at every level of musical experience. I have taught not only music performing and instrumental technique, but song-writing, arranging, and the tricky task of singing while playing an instrument to accompany one's self. Believe me, this is a skill that DOES take a separate set of lessons to master, but every student who studies it with me does!

In short, if it's music, or even music-related, I've done it and I can teach it and I can figure out the best method to have your brain master it!

My Specialties:
Working with kids and young people in a SAFE environment to learn their instrument
Rhythm, and understanding why it is your ticket to musical mastery
How to use your own brain to be your own best teacher (when I'm not there in a lesson with you!)
Pop, Classical, Gospel, Rock, Musical Theater,

Education
B. A. Music

Subjects Taught
piano, voice, guitar, music theory, song writing/composition, arranging

*** Lesson Details ***
Your BRAIN is your greatest musical asset, and I have spent the past twenty-five years learning how to make the musical brain easy for everyone.

I've been a musician since I was in the cradle, and I
learned to read music before I could read English! Over the past twenty years of teaching piano, voice and guitar I have learned how to use your brain, and the basic musical skills you ALREADY have to help you turn yourself into a great musician and performer.

If you can tap your foot along with a song, and you can recognize Mary Had a Little Lamb, you've got what it takes. My specialty is taking these simple skills you already have and using them to teach you EVERYTHING you want to know how to do on your instrument. I also teach combined
lessons so that you can learn more than one instrument in your course of study if that is what you choose.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student provides piano in their home for piano lessons. Voice students provide a recording device to record their lesson for their practice. Guitar students provide their guitar, any amps, cables, anything else they need for their rig. All students provide any CD's or mp3's they are working with during study. They pay for all books needed.

*** Specialties ***
Beginner level through advanced in kid songs, pop, rock, gospel, contemporary Christian, Broadway and classical. Emphasis on rhythm and technique. Lessons specialize in using knowledge of brain neuroscience practical applications in hearing, learning, reading, practicing and performing music.

e. There I kept studying vocal technique, solfege, classical guitar and music harmony.
I moved to LA 11 years ago and attended Musician's Institute earning a diploma in Vocal Studies and Vocal Performance and then I attended a Composition & Songwriting Program at UCLA for 2 years. I refined my vocal technique studying at Berkley College of Music for a summertime in a special program for Jazz Vocalists and I have been an Alexander Technique's student for now 10+ years.
I am a performing artist, I sing and teach privately for a living and, on the side, I help an Opera Touring company promote their tours. I have performed all over the country in some beautiful venues such as the Getty Center and Pantages Theater to name a few. Guitar is my second instrument but I accompany students with my piano during vocal exercises. My personal style of singing is modern, not operatic, I love many kinds of music but especially pop, jazz, and musical theater.

***Lessons Details***

**Singing: Teaching Adults**
There are two sides of singing that I like to work on with my students.
The first is vocal technique, which is first and foremost the study of how to use our instrument, our whole body, in the best and most useful way to avoid strain ad create beautiful sounds. I believe that when we relax and use the right posture, meaning the most natural one, then our bodies and our breathing mechanisms act as they are supposed to, and singing magically happens at its best. When we learn to use our bodies without strain, the right "singing" muscles are automatically engaged and exercised and we feel at ease. So I try to encourage a non-forceful way to use diaphragmatic breathing, which I have learned by studying Alexander Technique, which is a technique that teaches people how to stop using unnecessary levels of muscular and mental tension during any activity, especially during an artistic performance of any kind.
I try to notice bad singing habits the student may have formed throughout his/her life, (hopefully none!), and gently help them correct them. The vocal exercises I use are drawn from the Bel Canto tradition, a classical tradition, but I mix them with more modern vocal exercises to develop popular techniques like "belting" for example.
The second side of singing is simply to pay attention to song interpretation, to convey the message we would like to convey. I encourage the student to choose songs to work on they truly love, and I welcome any style of music. I give the students vocal exercises CDs to help them practice at home.

**Singing: Teaching Children**
What I described above is also true for teaching children, however I like to teach them "by ear" with simple vocal exercises and vocal games at the beginning of the lesson and try to ease them into the sound they naturally make. I like to create a positive environment in which the student can feel successful about even small achievements, whether it is standing in a relaxed way or having practiced the beginning of an exercise or part of a song. To help the student practice at home and keep the motivation alive without feeling overwhelmed I record each lesson (or let them record it) and give them the accompaniment for the song of their choice so they can have fun at home.

*** GUITAR ***
I teach young children using fun songs, games and classical guitar technique. I also teach adults and specialize in contemporary guitar. I welcome many styles of music, pop, rock as well as folk genres of Latin America. I emphasize good posture, tone and musicality, and always a high level of enjoyment with the process!

*** RECITALS ***
I plan and host 2 wonderful Recitals a year, one in January and one in June. I encourage all my students to participate, no matter how they may feel about their instrument level and preparation. Working towards a performance is one of the most effective ways to solidify your ever growing skill!

*** Studio Equipment ***
For students who come to my home studio, there is private guest parking right outside my building, in a gated complex of buildings and in a safe neighborhood just north of the 101. My studio is conveniently located just a few blocks from the freeway entrance. I have a comfortable sofa for parents and siblings to attend the lessons and a keyboard to use for accompaniment. Also, I periodically offer my students the chance to record one song in my studio, equipped with nice microphones and a professional recording system.

*** Travel Equipment ***
For singing lessons I bring my small and light master-keyboard and laptop or I can use the student piano/keyboard. For children's lesson I ask my students to bring a notebook to keep track of practice assignments.

*** Specialties ***
Music theory and Songwriting. Stage performance and how to feel comfortable on stage. Additionally I teach vocal jazz improvisation, Broadway singing and Italian song repertoire.

ate long term constructive relationships. Worked as a Music coach with kids in the spectrum (Asperger Syndrome).

have fun, so the learning is reinforced with good natured thoughts. This will set up the student to actually want to practice!

As a musician I've been in a couple of groups, and starting to get a jazz group together recently. I also try to utilize the computer to produce when possible so I can learn about that aspect of music. My passion is improvisation/composition, because I hope to one day leave songs behind that people can play forever and be influenced by them like so many have influenced me.

tive style and creativity over the past 20 years has established him as one of music’s foremost composers/guitarists.
A depth of credits, including multiple Emmy noms, begin at age 15: Sam was pulled from high school to accompany Maynard Ferguson at a show in his home town, he toured as lead guitarist for NKOB, and later upon graduating Berklee College of Music, Sam was hired by Michael Jackson to write music for the HIStory project. Perfect timing – he had only moved to Los Angeles 3 days prior!
Sam went on to compose music for such iconic television shows such as Sightings, Modern Marvels and Biography as well as top level brand advertising for Nike, Lexus, ESPN and many more.
Testimonials lauding Sam’s talent include kind words from William Shattner, Ben Deily (Lemonheads), execs at Disney, directors and producers from network shows on HBO, CBS, NBC and many other industry players.

my personal website. There can be found a full biography, bands I have worked with, examples of my playing, and current news. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Personal Website:
OnTheWingsOfDragons.com

May the rest of your day be fun, and productive!
-JD McGibney