Ukulele Lessons in Hollywood, FL

ok my imagination to new places and enabled me to express myself in ways I didn't know were possible. I grew up influenced by the classic rock guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Duane Allman, and used their techniques to springboard me into developing my style. I am also influenced by some of the great guitarists of today, such as Satriani, Vai, Bonamassa, etc. I am fluent in electric and acoustic guitar, slide guitar, open tunings, modal playing, and guitar synthesis. I also can play and teach mandolin, ukulele, banjo, bass, and also harmonica and folk harp. I am working on the bagpipes now. I also give lessons on music technology, audio recording, and music software such as Sonar, Reason, and Finale, to name a few. Music is the passion that feeds my soul, and a decade ago I started teaching, to have a chance to give back to the next generation and share what I have learned along the way. I love bringing out the soul of each new student I meet.

*** Lesson Details ***
When I take on a new student, the first thing I do is to sit down and talk to them and find out a bit about them... their personality, what their influences in music are, what artists they like, and what they are looking to be able to accomplish on the instrument. Each student is an individual, so depending on what they like, I will frame my lessons around the styles and artists that they like, and will incorporate the fundamentals and the exercises around the music that they enjoy. I will use the artists and the songs that excite my students to frame the lessons that we work on. I use music software to create custom grooves for each of my students to practice to, and also sometimes use a video cam to film my student working on a particular lesson that they are having trouble with, so that when they go home, they have an example of themselves playing the lesson, so they can study it at home to get it right. I am a firm believer in learning all the rules. I am also a firm believer, when you know the rules, to break them all. You have to know the rules to be able to break them. I will provide you with everything you need to shine on your instrument. My teaching technique is something that I developed myself, is quite unique, and, if you follow my program, you will progress REALLY fast. But keep in mind, anything good is worth working for, and if you REALLY want this, you will grow in leaps and bounds. Most of my students have been with me on an average of 4 to 5 years, some 9 or 10 years. I look forward to meeting you and helping you make magic with music! Ciao!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic 6 &12 string guitars
Electric Guitars
Electric Bass, Fretless Bass, and upright Bass guitars
Mandolin
Banjo
Ukulele
Baritone Ukulele
Guitar amps
Reason Software
Sonar Software
Video Equipment
Hard Disk Recorder

*** Travel Equipment ***
Everything necessary for my lessons I provide
My student needs an instrument and amp, if needed

*** Specialties ***
I have developed a curriculum that combines my knowledge of music software with my teaching technique. This enables me to create musical templates tailored for each student according to their musical interests, what they would like to focus on, and what their ultimate goals are. For example ...lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar accompaniment to their voice, etc. which ends up making for an exciting experience as my student learns their instrument framed around the styles of music that they enjoy.

azz Combo, Jazz Improvisation lessons, Jazz Pedagogy, online Jazz Appreciation, private saxophone lessons, saxophone quartets, private oboe lessons, and group guitar class.

Carl completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He graduated from Harrah High School in 2002, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was a 5th-12th grade Head Band Director at Fairview Public schools. He is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Jazz Education Network, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has held previous memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.

While at KU, Carl was also a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio and jazz studies program. His responsibilities included Assistant Director of the KU Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles II-III, directing Jazz Combo III-VI, directing Saxophone Quartets II-III, teaching private saxophone lessons, assisting in saxophone studio class, and teaching the music education woodwind methods course. His Lecture Recital Document, A Performer’s Analysis of Selected Jazz Works for Saxophone Quartet, featured an interview with Bob Mintzer. Carl was a member of KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Saxophone Quartet I, and KU's Helianthus New Music Ensemble. As a member of KU's Jazz Ensemble 1, Carl has performed with Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Owen, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Clint Ashlock, David von Kampen, Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley, Roger Shew, and Brian Hamada, Brandon Draper, Rich Wheeler, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, and Matt Otto. In July 2014, Carl went on a European tour with KU Jazz Ensemble I featuring Steve Leisring and Deborah Brown. Together, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and performed in several cities in Germany. Recordings by this band resulted in KU winning the DownBeat Student Award (Graduate College Large Jazz Ensemble Division) in 2015.

While at OSU, Carl was a GTA for the saxophone studio and music theory programs. His responsibilities included Music Theory I-IV tutoring and grading, sight-singing grading, piano labs, classical and jazz saxophone lessons, saxophone quartet coaching, saxophone studio Webmaster, and saxophone studio class. Carl was a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1. He had a regularly performing jazz trio and played in OSU's X2End saxophone quartet. The X2End quartet performed locally at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., at the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and has won the state and division rounds of the 2010-2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The X2End quartet went on to win the 3rd place prize at the national final round of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. They also were the Division II Chamber Ensemble winners at the 2011 Hubbard Music Competition where they were awarded the 2nd place prize in the overall finals. Carl's final degree paper at OSU was a study of composer/performer collaboration. He traveled to Texas, Michigan, and Ohio to interview saxophonists and composers including David Dees, Peter Fischer, John Sampen, Marilyn Shrude, Joe Lulloff, and Charles Ruggiero. He has presented his lecture at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and the 2012 OSU Single Reed Summit. As a member of OSU's Jazz Ensemble 1, he has performed with Bob Sheppard, Conrad Herwig, Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin.

While at SWOSU, Carl performed as a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, Jazz Ensemble A, saxophone quartet, and his own jazz combo named Five-Seven. As a member of SWOSU's Jazz Ensemble A, he has performed with Dan Haerle, Bob Bowman, Jack Mouse, Fred Forney, Janice Borla, Eddie Daniels, Pamela York, Lynn Seaton, Carl Allen, Dr. Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dave Hanson, Drori Mondlak, Delores Williams, Byron Stripling, Frank Wess, Kenny Drew Jr., Dennis Mackrel, Bill Watrous, Rich Eames, Jennifer Leitham, and Randy Drake.

Carl's primary saxophone instructors have been Vince Gnojek, Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert, Dr. Ann Bradfield, Dr. Keith Talley, and William Rodney Hull. He has had additional instruction in lessons and masterclasses from Gary Foster, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Dr. Michael Cox, Bob Sheppard, Johnny Salinas, Dr. Kimberly Goddard Loeffert, Dr. Geoffrey Deibel, Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Dr. Griffin Campbell, Dr. James Laughlin, and Dr. David Dees. Carl's jazz directors have included Dan Gailey, Bob McCurdy, Dr. Jonathan Martin, Dr. Keith Talley, and Dr. Terry Segress.

Carl enjoys recording several instruments in his home studio and composing new music. His compositions that have been performed include his big band arrangement of Cat Battles by Joshua Redman, September in the Refrain (alto saxophone and electronics), Funk-o-matic (jazz combo), Smooth (jazz combo), and The Deadline Arrives at Dawn (alto saxophone and electronics). As an advocate of new music involving the saxophone, he has participated in a commissioning consortium for Alone Together by composer David MacDonald through Kick Starter. In 2013, Carl performed the premier of Cuento #3 by Nelson Ramirez Diaz. During summer of 2014, he recorded selections from Dr. John Walker's "The Alto Saxophone in the Attic," published by Carl Fischer. At the 10th Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival in 2015, Carl directed SDSU Jazz Ensemble I's premier of Dog, Tired by David von Kampen.

Carl is a Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist. He hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA) Conference at South Dakota State University on March 17-18, 2017. On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Carl performed Dreams in the Dusk by David Biedenbender with South Dakota State University's Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jacob Wallace. On Monday, February 6, 2017, Carl performed the premiere of Lhotse for alto saxophone and percussion by Steve Danyew with Dr. Aaron Ragsdale. In April 2017, Carl performed solo tenor saxophone and orchestral clarinet in Ethan Bortnick's national PBS Special called "Generations of Music," which featured special guest, Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary.

idual desires and needs of each student. Fun "family-style" lessons with parent(s) and young children are also a new option.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitars, ukuleles, bass guitars, strum-sticks, various percussion instruments, ProTools Digi002, Garageband, Kurzweil 2500, Mac Pro Desktop computers, various keyboards, synthesizers and music composition/production software and amps.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Teacher brings instruments/supplies/books as needed, and can arrange to provide instruments for students as well.

*** Specialties ***
Individual or group instruction in folk, jazz, blues, rock, guitar/vocal performance coaching, songwriting, lyric writing, instrumental improvisation, digital media production/composition, iMovie, Garageband, "beat-making" and therapeutic music for youth, adult and special needs students. Tutoring/homework help in English, mac computers and basic academic subjects for K-12 and adult students. Technology (geek) help/support with computers, digital gadgets (especially Apple) for "non-techies".

e things for my students to make their learning as easy and effective as possible.

In addition to freelance work, (weddings, jazz brunch gigs, etc.) I am the lead guitarist for the Funk/R&B band Water Seed and the soul project RetroFit. I attended Indiana University for jazz guitar and have studied under jazz greats Dan Miller, Corey Christiansen, and Oteil Burbridge.

I teach all kinds of stringed instruments from guitar and bass to mandolin and banjo! If you have any questions about my teaching methods, skill level in a certain discipline, or anything you can think of I would be more than happy to answer you!

Musically yours,
Grant

to suggest songs that they care about. Good technique(s) can be applied to any repertoire!

s well. Looking forward to meeting you and making music!

ged instruments.