Middle Haddam, CT Ukulele Lessons

ting as hosted a recording clinic at the end of each day.

Jason has host student showcases/charity benefits where his students were able to get on stage and show off their new talent and perform with other musicians. It wasn't mandatory though, if you were just looking to come out and support there was no pressure other than to come out and have fun.

Jason has been transcribing for guitar and bass since the age of 18 and since then has become a master of the craft including both 5 line staff and tablature, hand-crafted exercises and deconstructions to better enhance the students learning. Artists and genres that Jason has experience with range from Classic Rock, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Guns N' Roses, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Pierce the Veil, Paramore, All Time Low, Demi Lava to, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, The White Stripes, Green Day, Old Crow Medicine Show, Taylor Swift, Mumford and Sons, Bruno Mars, Rob Zombie, John 5, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, Van Morrison, the Beatles, AC/DC, ZZ-Top, Bullet For My Valentine, All That Remains, Ozzy, Black Label Society, Sublime, Aerosmith, At the Drive In, Type O Negative, the Black Keys, the Pixies, the Toadies, Black Sabbath, Jason Mraz, Lady GaGa, John Mayer and Journey.

Jason attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage where his degree is in Music and Business. He is constantly continuing his education with music theory courses as well as private guitar instruction. He attends guitar workshops and seminars by artists such as John5 and Kerry King who are known as some of the worlds finest guitar players. He reviews every day from a wide range of over 1000 sources working to become a better musician and instructor.

Another nice feature that you might enjoy from one on one sessions with Jason is learning the ability to craft and record your own songs using state of the art technology that caters to your own unique personality. There are no limits!

Jason teaches all experience levels from beginner to intermediate and advanced as well as artists that are signed to labels.

Local news outlet Fox 5 did a segment with one of his students who overcame issues with ADD and depression as a result of taking guitar lessons.

His students advance quickly, some have released albums, been in Guitar World Magazine as well as its online companion and won awards for their music websites.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are scheduled to best fit to the student'€™s schedule when possible.
Students receive complimentary audio lessons and transcriptions of songs upon their first or second session. Jason is a very patient instructor and understands that students learn at a different pace, after all everyone is an individual.

*** Studio Equipment ***
ESP KH2 "skully" Kirk Hammett signature model Electric
Epiphone Zakk Wylde signature model Electric
Schecter SLS Blackjack Special Edition Avenger with ©Sustainiac
Schecter Blackjack ATX 7-string
Jackson Randy Rhodes V
Fender '51 Pawn Shop Series
Epiphone Banjo
Mahalo Ukulele
Savannah Ukulele
M. Acoustic
G&L S-500 custom Electric
ESP LTD AX-50 "banjo" Electric
ESP LTD AX-50 "guitar"
Fender Squire John 5 signature model
Epiphone 12-string
Nylon Classical
Yamaha Acoustic (left and right handed)
Voyage-Air Guitar Acoustic
Fender Squire Bass
Dean Vendetta Electric
Dean Dime Razorback
B.C. Rich Warlock
Yamaha Keyboard
ProTools LE
Guitar Pro 6
Tascam CD-GT2
KRK Rokits speakers
Line 6 AXSYS212 Amp
Scott Ian Randall Amp
Cry Baby Wah
Digitech Whammy/Bad Monkey/Death Metal/Grunge pedals
Ibanez Chorus/Flanger Delay/Echo
Line 6 Backtrack
Drum sticks and practice pad
Multi-angle cameras for online students

*** Travel Equipment ***
Voyage-Air Guitar (Acoustic)
Laptop with ProTools/Backtrack or Guitar Pro 6
Scott Ian Randall Amp
Various guitars depending on project or mood.

*** Specialties ***
piano, guitar, music theory, music, bass guitar, banjo, songwriting, electric guitar, acoustic guitar,

a.

Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio along.

Philosophy of Learning

Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations.

I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family.

I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!)
Younger students have the "Young Musicians Showcase" every few months where individual students and band classes have a chance to perform and celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family.
Adult students occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well.

Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Skype.
(*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.)

*Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

My studio is equipped with:

*Multiple Music Stands

*P.A. System

*Vocal and instrument microphones

*Guitars, Basses, and a Banjo

*Two guitar amps and a bass amp

*Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set

*A Roland V-Drums electronic drum set

*An electric piano console

*A MicroKorg Synthesizer

*A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, and Flute

*An extensive physical and virtual music library

*A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to

*HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Skype

d music-production extensively. I graduated Magna Cume Laude with a Bachelor of Music-Media from UTA. After school, I spent 9 months interning/assistant engineering with acclaimed musician/composer/producer Brad Nyght at The Bakery Studio in Dallas- whose credits include being the drummer for The Michael Gungor Band and Desperation Band. Then, got hired as an on-staff session musician and music producer at Drive35 Productions. I have also played guitar, mandolin, and bass for multiple pit orchestras and guitar for the North Lake Jazz Ensemble with director Jim Eger.

My teaching style varies from student to student. Music is a wonderfully diverse subject and every student has his own aspirations. I will do my best to cater each lesson to the student's goals and interests. Whether that is classical guitar method, rock, jazz, folk, country, pop or anything in between.

I have an excellent internet connection and microphone set up for online lessons. I also utilize screen-sharing to make the lessons as close to real life as possible.

A few of my favorite artists include: Michael Gungor, Joe Pass, Andrew Bird, Chopin, Led Zeppelin, Glen Hansard, and Radiohead.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will vary significantly from student to student. Not only does every student have different goals in mind, they all learn differently as well. I do my best to customize my lessons for each student's goals and needs. A typical guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano lesson may involve music-reading, chord studies, technical work, scale practice, theory, and of course learning awesome songs!

I consider myself a healthy balance between professional and light-hearted. As much as I want to make efficient use of the lesson-time, my primary goal is for the student to truly understand and enjoy music.

I have worked hard to be a flexible musician and teacher. I am competent in jazz, rock, classical, contemporary, blues, worship, country, and beyond and will be happy to teach any (or all) of these styles to any student.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Drive35 Productions:

-Large live tracking space
- Medium sized dead tracking space
- Pro Tools HD
- External Pres/Compressors/EQ (WARM, Manley, Vintech, etc.)
- DDA mixing console
- Several acoustic/electric/bass guitars (Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, Cort, Ibanez, Gibson, etc.)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- Gibson Mandolin
- Percussion
- Full drum kit
- 4 control/mixing rooms/practice spaces
- Breakroom
- Music stands/chairs
- Princeton Reverb, Vox AC15, Marshall, Ampeg amplifiers
- Several keyboards/controllers
- Rhodes
- Vintage organs
- Neumann U87, Senheissers, several SM57's, Lautin Audio Oceanus, Oktavas, AKG C414's

My at home studio:

- Chairs
- An 88-key Casio Privia keyboard
- Professional grade recording equipment (003r interface, behringer ada8000 with BLA mod, RNC by FMR, and more)
- High speed Internet access
- A printer
- A library of music resources
- Novation Launchkey MIDI controller
- Rode K2 condensor microphone
- Sm57
- Several Naiant stereo pair microphones
- 2 acoustic guitars (Cort and Zaeger), 2 electric guitars (Epiphone CS Custom, Fender Nashville Tele)
- An electric bass guitar (Epiphone Thunderbird with Bartolini Pickups)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- A Savannah Mandolin
- Double input amplifier (vox AC15C1)
- Music stand
- Metronomes/tuners
- Recording studio quality monitors (Yamaha HS8s)
- Large pedal board and pedal chain

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in contemporary, rock, blues, and worship guitar, but have extensive experience in classical and jazz guitar as well. I am also an on-staff session guitar player for Drive35 Productions and can help anyone interested in the skills necessary to play for a studio.

For piano, I teach beginner to intermediate level students in a variety of genres. I use piano on a daily basis for composing, arranging, and performing.

For bass, I can also teach a variety of genres. I specialize in blues/rock/contemporary but have experience in classical and jazz bass as well.

For ukulele, I specialize in pop music adaptation and classical.

For mandolin, I teach basic beginner music skills- reading and strumming techniques.

Etc., Note Reading, the Music Biz, and learning about all the cool new Music Technologies of the day. Rick also loves to transcribe any and all music the student wants to learn but for which they cannot find the sheet music or internet tab. Rick prefers to teach what the student wants to learn, but if they're not sure what that is, he helps them figure that out.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Wifi, Computer, and iPhone. I make good use of technology during lessons. Much used apps include Guitarbots, Slow Down Music Trainer, TabPro, and the Guitar Toolkit (metronome, tuner, etc.)

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music Stand (if needed), and iPhone tech.

*** Specialties ***
Music Theory and Songwriting.

al needs and goals. Always an emphasis on FUN! My philosophy as a teacher is to give you the tools and help you develop skills with them so that you can learn and grow musically on your own! I look forward to helping you reach and achieve all your goals!

z, to rock, to classical music and beyond.