Mead, CO Ukulele Lessons

olero and Bossa Nova.
I have performed all over the US and toured many countries including Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, England and France. I have recorded more than 100 CDs for many artists (as well as my own original music) as a pianist/keyboardist, singer, guitarist and music producer. I have won many awards including most recently the Best Blues Band award as the pianist, guitarist and singer for the Lionel Young Band at the International Blues Challenge (the largest competition of blues bands in the world).
I have taught music through my whole career. Many of my students have gone on to study music as a career and have become successful professional musicians.
I am very comfortable teaching all levels from professional musicians to very beginners at any age.
I currently lead and perform with my group. We perform concerts, private events and some club work. My life as a professional musician has given me a lot of knowledge to share with my students.

*** Lesson Details ***
I adjust my approach based on what you want to learn, always with an emphasis on learning as much as possible while making the lessons fun and enjoyable. If you are a beginning piano/keyboard or guitar student I can teach you the basics of how to read music and how to play chords in the first few months and then we can decide whether you are interested in playing written music or more improvisational styles. I use different method books depending on the student and sometimes I use just my teaching materials if you are only interested in improvisational styles like Rock or Blues guitar or piano (for example). If you are a voice student, I teach with a combination of learning songs you like and using a CD/MP3s of vocal exercises that help develop good vocal technique. Whatever your instrument and musical preference you can be sure we'll have fun and you'll be making music from the very start!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a Yamaha upright piano and keyboards. I have acoustic and electric guitars, bass and amps. I have Shure Sm-58 mics to teach microphone technique with.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student must have his/her own instrument and metronome (or equivalent) must purchase course book(s) if needed..

*** Specialties ***
I teach different styles depending on the students goals. I can teach a traditional classical style for those interested in classical music and I can teach more practical approaches for popular music such as learning by chords (for instrumental students- not voice obviously) and learning improvisation through scales, arpeggios and music theory.

earn from prolific, passionate and talented musicians from all over the globe. With my students, I love to share my experience, appreciation for eclecticism, nuance and groove while also emphasizing the importance of a theoretical foundation in music and comprehension of aural skills (hearing music in a theoretical context) as a means to fluent apprehension in any genre. Ultimately, this makes me a very flexible and expeditious teacher. What would you like to learn?

If you have any questions, or would like to chat, please feel free to call me at three O three 5032572 or message me via my Take Lessons profile. I look forward to it!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide most necessary lesson materials, however it is necessary that students have their own instruments on which to play and practice. I may request that students buy some materials such as tuners (for stringed instruments), lesson books, or music applications, but these are optional purchases.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I can teach in my home studio in South Boulder if that is your preference. The studio has keyboard, bass, drums, guitar, ukulele and vocal microphones. Students should bring their own instruments to the studio lessons (drums and piano provided in the studio) Parents may attend the lessons if they choose.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Reggae, West-African Highlife, Funk, and Soul

***Some additional background to my experience***
I grew up "noodling". I avoided the difficult task of learning to read proficiently until I was almost 18. Looking back I realize that for me, music was a way to relax and pause internal dialogue. I would create music, especially on the piano that was entirely my own, and based solely on intuition. I got by in piano lessons and choir for so many years as kid by relying on an intuitive ability to aurally recall music and "play by ear". Eventually, I was turned on to the necessity of being able to read when I was accepted into a nationally competitive choral program at Fairview High School under the direction of Ron Revier. Shortly after that, I picked up a guitar and discovered music theory.
Realizing that reading, and theory were inherently different things allowed by to accelerate quickly at music theory which opened so many doors for me creatively. Suddenly, my ability to improvise in context and write my own songs was born.
I realized that every note I sang or played was part of an essential structure, whether or not I was paying attention to it. This is why I particularly enjoy teaching aural skills, sight reading, and music theory in conjunction with whatever repertoire or skillset a student wants to learn. These things facilitate becoming one's own teacher which is the most important thing I can pass on to a student. If you can contextualize everything you hear, you can more easily pursue whatever type of music inspires you.
Understanding theoretical things like musical modes creates a structure around the seemingly elusive nature of musical improvisation. It comes naturally to some, but is stubbornly avoided by others. I assure you, anyone can do it with some guidance. Through the years, I have developed a handful of shortcuts and tools that allow elementary musicians to start creating their own music that is not necessarily oriented in genre or style, but can be applied to all of them. I look forward to sharing my passion with new students!

ich I walked away saying "Man, I never KNEW that!" and it's my goal for you have that experience, too. Whether its how to play that chord or write a melody, how to get the best sound out of those stomp boxes, or when genres like shoegazer and post-rock were invented and what they sound like... there's something to be learned in every lesson.

The most important benefit of taking lessons from me is my experience. I started teaching casually as a teenager and have followed every opportunity since. My passion for music has allowed me to teach private lessons (10+ years), middle school guitar class (including a guitar ensemble), and college-level music theory classes. Extensive experience in writing, recording, and performing has only helped that passion to grow. I've developed a method to blend theory with practice every step of the way, and make the journey fun!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music stand, Guitar picks, Amplifier, 1/4" cable, Footstool, and paper hand-outs provided for Students.

Lounge area, Kitchen area, Restrooms,and Parking provided for Parents

*** Specialties ***
guitar, acoustic guitar, music, songwriting, classical guitar, electric guitar, music theory

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.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Large studio space with a piano and plenty of room to make noise! In fact, our room just got a terrific upgrade with new carpet and paint, so it looks great, feels great and sounds great.

*** 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.

the entire guitar staff which included Scott Henderson, Allen Hinds and Norman Brown.
The staff was encouraged to gig so I toured from California to Nashville with a variety of bands and visited the Caribbean Islands aboard an actual love boat playing jazz and birthday songs! The rock band Exile took me to the Scandinavian countries with a side trip to Switzerland. My dream of letting the music take me places was working out!
Moving to Boulder in 1996 gave me the opportunity to start my own teaching business while also meeting future songwriting partners.
Dennis Wanebo and I produced our 3rd Martian Acres cd €œIII at my Oilpan Studios during 2013 as well as his €œRunning on Gravity cd. Songwriter Lisa Bell and I toured Italy for 3 weeks in 2010 that inspired a co-produced The Italian Project€ cd in 2013.
My songwriting passion is currently being nurtured by working with the Lincoln Avenue Songwriting Society a group of 7 local songwriters who also perform locally and lend support to the art of writing.
I live in Boulder Colorado with my son Max and my wife Kelly. I love to perform, teach, write, record music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Starting from where your knowledge and technique run out I will take you on a path of discovery that will reveal an easier way to play a difficult lick or unlock the secret of what scale to use. Every player is at a different point in their development and my goal is to know your playing well enough to make the next step easy and painless! I have hundreds of PDF files with diagrams and can easily create video of any lick, technique or idea we work upon to help you understand and master.

*** Studio Equipment ***
apple, gibson, fender, apogee, focusrite, neumann, dr. z, taylor, logic, joe barden, seymore duncan, dimarzzio, akg, audio technica.

*** Travel Equipment ***
gibson, taylor, fender, ken luker.

*** Specialties ***
slide, finger style, open tunings, looping, recording guitar, logic production, lap steel, improvisation.

m sheet music addictions to be able to have fun and confidence out at jams. I also can give a good foundation in music theory as it applies to one's actual playing and have it be fun and make sense.

ce from many avenues including band, private lessons, choirs, and musical gigs. I taught music theory and ear training at an after school music and arts business for 1.5 years and worked with a variety of students ranging from 6 years old to twenty years old. As a music therapist, I am required to be proficient on my main instrument (flute) plus on guitar and piano. I am also required to be proficient in the creation and implementation of goals and objectives, people skills, and to have an empathetic, understanding, and positive approach in all I do. I believe these skills contribute greatly to the effectiveness of my teaching. I am also qualified and willing to teach adaptive lessons for students with all types of disabilities. This includes mental and physical.

PSYCHOLOGY:
I am currently pursuing a masters in mental health counseling and have a minor in psychology. I have completed a practicum at a behavioral health hospital and an internship at another behavioral health hospital.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Education experience: I taught music theory for 1.5 years in Tallahassee, Florida. I am currently a certified substitute teacher in Volusia county Florida for elementary through high school and I teach flute sectionals at local middle schools and high schools. I have also been a teachers aide in two kindergarten classrooms. This job required me to teach students individually and in small groups. I also provided music groups with the kindergarteners once a week. Prior to this I have been a regular dividend in a kindergarten classroom for a semester, have lead flute choir and flute sectionals, and have volunteered often in an elementary art classroom.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
My teaching style is organized yet laid-back. I am sympathetic and positive in my approach. I am understanding of your busy schedules so am very flexible although my schedule is quite limited and it may be difficult to reschedule lessons.
I have access to lesson books/textbooks and can make suggestions for you based on your needs and desires. If you are a beginning piano student you will need to purchase your own book. (It's about $6.00 on Amazon.)
Our first lessons will be based around assessing your strengths and weaknesses. From there I will create a schedule customized to your specific needs. Your input is important to me as I am always willing to be flexible based on your personal needs and preferences.
Learning music is FUN so I will make sure you are enjoying the lessons as well as getting the most out of them that you can!

PRICING INFO:
Flute, piano, and guitar lessons are $25/30 minutes and ukulele is $20/30 minutes. This is a set price. I do not haggle. I do provide sibling discounts!

usic? Will this be a hobby for you? Whatever your goals are, I am excited to know your story.

't hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, pies-you-want-to-throw; I'm game for all of it!

Looking forward to hearing from you!
- Jake