Miami, FL Country Guitar Lessons

ian and I'm proud to call him and his manager my friends. His new album coming out is nothing short of amazing.

In fact everyone I've mentioned above are pro all the way and great guys as well. I"m honored to have played with them.

I challenge my students to view music more than just as a "skill", but also a tool to communicate effectively and to combat life's obstacles.

I have had many guitar teachers myself including one true Famous Rock Star legend here in Pacific NW. Congrats Rog. U Earned It, & inspire myself, & others everyday.

You got to know the rules 1st, before you can then break the rules. This is how you develop your own unique style. And it's what separates the Pro Players from the rest of the pack.

But even if you don't want to play professionally, maybe you just want to learn a few chords, licks, songs, for yourself, or to impress friends. That's okay too!

I welcome every level and style. I always learn something from my students.
That's what music is all about. Learning & trading tips and licks from other musicians.

Bottom Line Is... I can help you learn and progress on your instrument faster...

Let me be the Music Coach to get you there!

*** Lesson Details ***
The most important thing in a lesson with me is to learn while having FUN! I am a very laid-back teacher who wants to focus on music making you smile. We will choose material and a pace of learning that will keep you excited to rehearse and return the following lesson improved!

PERSONALIZE your guitar lessons by learning techniques used by your favorite artists in "their" songs.
FEEL FREE learning in a comfortable atmosphere where you can excel successfully as a musician!
CONQUER shyness and insecurities by unleashing the dynamic performer in you!

Most All Styles/Genres/Experience Levels Taught - We go over everything systematically. Music Theory, Songwriting, Chords, Scales, Determining Key Of Songs, Performance, etc

After 3 to 6 months, you should expect to be playing some of your favorite songs and artists accurately

Be sure to check out some of my you tube demos. Let me be the Music Coach to get you there!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a Sound Proof Pro Recording Studio, PA System, guitars, basses, amps, drums, recording gear, mics, mic stands, strobe & lights, fog machine, seating for parents.

Sorry No Disco Ball Yet.. You Can Bring Your Own If You Want Though.
I've Got Some Bell Bottoms Somewhere Around The Studio Here.

*** Travel Equipment ***
*** Brand New*** Now Offering Music Lessons Online (From My Recording Studio To Your Home via Skype)
I'm really excited to add that to offer lessons online through TakeLessons! It's a great thing to get to work with students all over this country and I'm looking forward to help pioneer the future of music lessons!

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.

My Unique Specialty - is teaching students the rudimental basics 1st, & then how to copy your favorite artists off the CD, radio or iPod, almost note for note. Believe me, it can be done. You just have to know what to listen for..

Brand New - MEASURE your success by recording your music progress along the way. I do own a recording studio, so we can record students progress via audio or video and then post to my YouTube channel.

to the craft of making music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am experienced in most major genres of music: classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, folk, metal, acoustic fingerstyle/slap, instrumental rock, "shred," pop, world music, electronica, etc. & feel comfortable conveying the techniques, approaches & idioms to a student by breaking them down into digestible components, while making these new ideas relatable to material they are already familiar with.

In the end, I want the student to learn what they're most interested in learning. I'm here to answer any questions they may have & with my experiences, I feel confident that I will be able to either answer these questions or point them in the right direction. Some topics covered:

Scales/modes
Ear training
Instrument-specific techniques (ie bending, tapping, sweep picking, etc.)
Songwriting & Composition
Arranging & Orchestrating
Sight-reading
Improvisation
Chordal theory & how to read charts
Practice routines & approaches
Instrument maintenance
Instrument-based gear (guitars, amplifiers, effects, picks, slides, capos, etc.)

The student will learn at the pace they set for themselves & can only get out of it the amount of effort they put forth. I expect my students to practice on a regular basis (however brief each session may be). Consistency is key for progress to be made, & if they hold up their end of the bargain, the payoffs will be quite substantial!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Practice amplifier, tuner, music stand(s), guitar picks & cables.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide guitar neck paper. I expect the students to have their own instrument & any materials they may need to achieve the goals they've set for themselves (such as a weekly notebook).

*** Specialties ***
Progressive rock, classic rock, blues, jazz, funk, disco, classical, acoustic fingerstyle/slap, flamenco guitar; music theory, sight-reading, composition, songwriting, film scoring, music production.

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

actice. They are then empowered by experiencing the connections between inspiration, work, and pleasure.
He performs, as a solo entertainer, an unusually wide ranging repertoire because of his versatility on guitar, piano, and vocals. Being an accomplished arranger with a vast library of charts also allows him to lead a ten piece orchestra as competently as a trio or quartet. He has performed extensively in New York, Chicago, Cape Cod, and Florida.

*** Lesson Details ***
I always try to make lessons as comfortable and enjoyable as possible yet challenging enough to maintain interest. I build lessons around the student's individual interests (specific songs or styles) so that he or she can learn the technical fundamentals in a relevant context.
My own curriculum is supplemented by the following:
Guitar: Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Aaron Shearer Classical Guitar Method
Piano: Alfred's Basic Piano Course , John W. Schaum Piano Course
Voice: Jeffrey Allen's Secrets of Singing, Nicola Vaccai Practical Method

*** Studio Equipment ***
Hardman baby grand acoustic piano
OptimusMD1600 electronic keyboard
Crate TX50D guitar amplifer

*** Specialties ***
- Singing lesson time is generally divided 50/50 between voice building and repertoire. I accompany vocalists on both piano and guitar, teaching the melody notes as they are sung along with the piano. Then, once the melody is learned, I often switch to the guitar with just chordal backing. The acoustic guitar is also softer than the piano and lets the singer hear their own voice better. For voice building, I use my own concepts plus approaches of famous voice teachers like Jeffrey Allen, Seth Riggs, and Anthony Frissel.
- I am very experienced performing all styles of guitar and can cater to the student's specific area of interest, whether it be rock, folk, classical, or jazz.
- With piano, I work on fundamentals of reading and technique. Learning basic harmony and chord construction starting with triads (3 note chords), the student can soon read single stave lead sheets (a form of music notation widely utilized by professional musicians) as well as the grand staff. This approach trains the ear and makes learning how to play popular songs much easier.

rning something new and exciting every time We meet for the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a Mac and a PC Computer with recording software... All types of effects processors, Guitar Amps and Microphones.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have all the equipment needed for Electric or Acoustic Guitar, and Bass. I also have some books as well.
I want the student to have a Guitar or Bass depending on the instrument they want to learn.

*** Specialties ***
Along with being able to read Music. I also encourage the student to learn a song by hearing it. First by listening to each instrument separately, then playing what they hear.
Also, when I think a student is ready I will help them compose a song from the beginning. They will write each part separately, Vocals, or Lyrics, Guitar, Drums and so on, record each part on the computer. Then put them all together to complete the Song.

itar and start singing." -- Angelina, age 16

*** Lesson Details ***
Each lesson will begin with tuning the guitar and warm-ups. Then we'll move on to either our practice books or a song or piece you have chosen to learn and study not found in the books.

If you are beginner, we'll start with how you handle the guitar and any technique issues. Then we'll work on note and chord recognition, the ability to sight-read and play from memory.

*** Studio Equipment ***
2011 Apple iMac;
MXL 910 microphone;
Yamaha Nylon-String Electric-Acoustic Guitar;
Yamaha Steel String Guitar;
Gibson Les Paul Special Electric Guitar;
Esteve Spanish Classical Guitar;
Roland Cube 80 electric guitar amplifier;
Ibanez T80 acoustic guitar amplifier

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music Stands;
Foot Rests

*** Specialties ***
Song Transcriptions - Use your ear to learn and notate song melodies and the guitar parts

acements in film and television. Whether you are looking to just begin learning an instrument for fun or would like to take your skills further and move towards becoming a professional musician, I have the skills and expertise to help you along every step of the way. I tailor each lesson to meet the needs of the student, teaching them exactly what they would like to learn and having lots of fun doing it!

*** Lesson Details ***
For the first lesson, we will discuss what you are hoping to achieve, what kind of structure you would like for your lessons (theory, performance etc) and I will assess your skill level. Then I will tailor exercises, lessons and study to suit your needs.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fender Rhodes Piano
Doric Vintage Organ
Microphones and Stands
Pro Tools
Fender Amp
Jaguar Bass
1968 Hagstrom Bass
Gibson Les Paul Guitar
Dan Electro Guitar
1950s Burns Bass
Fender Acoustic
Yamaha Mini Acoustic
Small Boss Keyboard
Flutes, Harmonicas, Percussion
Ipod, cd player
Various effects pedals for voice and guitar etc

*** Travel Equipment ***
Can bring guitars, mics, stands, practice amp and small keyboard

*** Specialities ***
Specialising in rock, pop and soundtrack music, I can also teach performance and acting stage skills and voice projection.

ram with honors from USC in 2005.

After graduating, Donovan has been active as a professional musician in the Southern California area, with several recording and live credits, including some of the top venues in Southern California.

In 2010, Donovan completed a master's degree in Guitar Performance (Jazz Studies) from the Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, studying 7-string guitar with Ron Eschete. While at CSULB, Donovan wrote his master's thesis on the life of music of Michael Hedges entitled "Michael Hedges and the Re-Invention of Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar"

Donovan has been very active as an educator, and currently holds faculty positions teaching guitar at Concordia University, Irivne and Golden West College in Huntington Beach. In 2008, Donovan self-published a guitar method book entitled "The Practical Guitar Method: Real-World Instruction for the Beginning to Advanced Guitarist"