California, KY Songwriting Lessons

nd inspiring. I like to do creative and interactive lesson plans, vocal exercises, and work on any music projects or endeavors that you may have. You want me as your teacher because I can coach you into the vocalist you've always dreamed of becoming!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect student to provide a piano or keyboard, cd player, paper and pencil,
I will provide sheet music, cd's, and lessons plans.

*** Specialties ***
Genres: Gospel, Contemporary, Pop
Vocal Arrangement
Music Theory
Songwriting
Music Performance

a structured practice routine and working knowledge of music and their instrument, but it has to be fun. I have students who learn Classical, rock, and Jazz. Each lesson is different. Some people just want to be able to play their favorite songs by a camp fire, and others want to go on to perform at Carnegie Hall. I enjoy teaching both lessons and put forth the same enthusiasm for each one. You get out of the guitar or bass what you put into it in terms of learning and practicing. The level of achievement is up to you, I will help guide you to meet your goals regardless of how large or small they are.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Spare music room: guitars, amps, bass; computer with recording software, ProTools seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have all the equipment necessary. I would like the student to have an instrument, but if not I can provide one for the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I'm really pretty versatile. Over 18 years of teaching anywhere from 80 to 100 students a week will do that.

singer and guitarist. I've played shows all over the Northeast including (but not limited to) Xfinity Live, Wells Fargo Center, Hard Rock Cafe, The Tin Angel, Borgata AC, Ballys, Tropicana, and Seacrets in OCMD.
I love music and the role it has played in shaping my life. I value the experiences and wisdom passed on to me by my music mentors and instructors, who not only had a meaningful impact on my music career but also immensely influenced my development as a person.
I look forward to having that same positive impact on any student I instruct :)

*** Lesson Details ***
I like lessons to be, first and foremost, an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I try to create a laid back and comfortable learning environment for all my students. Music is fun, and I guarantee that there will be plenty of good times while taking lessons!
Now, let me also clarify that my positive attitude and laid back demeanor are not excuses for students to be undisciplined and uncommitted. I promise to work hard toward your development as a musician to make you the best you can be, and I appreciate the same commitment from all of my students.
Music should be enjoyable, but also rewarding and enriching to your life! I don’t want to sell that short!

Below is a basic rundown of what a student can expect to learn while under my instruction. I would first like to preface this information by saying that I fully recognize that every student is different; therefore, I tailor lessons to fit an individual’s needs and goals. Because of this, the priority of certain skills tends to vary from one student to another, as does the order in which this skills are taught. I also want to note that I tend to use some self-made resources (charts, explanations, etc) in addition to published books. Taking into consideration the aforementioned variables, here is the basic rundown of the material I try to cover with students, in the general order it is taught:

-Understanding of guitar parts (anatomy of the instrument) and basic terms (ie note, chord, etc).
-Names of strings (E-string, B-string, etc.) and corresponding numbers for strings (1-6), and which fingers are given what numbers.
-Tuning of the instrument
-Basic technique (how to finger a fret board, hold guitar, hold pick, etc).
-How to find notes on the fret board/chromatic
-Basic rhythm concepts and counting (whole notes, quarter notes, time signatures, etc)—usually involves clapping exercise, single note playing exercises, reading rhythm charts, and learning what different note values look like.
-Basic concepts of “keys”
-Basic major and minor scales (especially for “warming up”)
-Chords (mostly basic open chords)
-Strumming
-Learning songs to put concepts together
For more advanced students, we will likely get into the following:
-Power chords, bar chords, and complex chords beyond majors and minors.
-Scales beyond basic majors and minors
-Music theory (chord construction, modes, etc).
-Knowledge of gear (for those guitarist who wish to branch out to electric guitar)—bass players will already have to know some of this before moving to more advanced work since they already require an amp.
-How to play with other musicians and instruments (collaboration, listening, understanding each instrument’s part, etc).

[To give students a basic timeline for these skills, one can expect to be playing open chords within three months and probably their favorite songs within 6 months]

SONGWRITING TEACHING METHODS:
-Review slides about basic song structure and anatomy of songs (verse, hook, etc)
-lyric and vocal phrasing
-finding your voice as a writer
-exploring environments and conditions that foster one’s creativity for writing songs (preference for outdoors, quite secluded spaces, etc).

LIVE PERFORMANCE:
-Breathing/relaxation exercises
-Movement/watching footage of self
-Watching footage of others
-Acting/stage exercises to get out of your head and into your body
-learning common problems with live performances and becoming comfortable with fast, on-the-spot trouble shooting (and how to avoid some problems before they begin).
-Finding your stage voice, both in singing and speaking.
-Developing your stage persona

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room
Equipped with guitars, bass amp, guitar amp, guitar cables, and tuner.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Student should provide his or her own guitar (and amps when applicable)

*** Specialties ***
I'm currently a professional musician that sings and plays guitar and bass for pop and rock music. We perform in front of thousands of people each week so I'm very comfortable giving live performance instruction as well.

d Canyon University. I teach Suzuki piano and violin. I am an accomplished composer/songwriter with many published and recorded songs and instrumental works through ASCAP. I endeavor to make learning fun, and enjoy teaching students of all ages!

Online student requirements: A fast, reliable COMPUTER; HIGH SPEED INTERNET (at least 400 kbps); SKYPE software; WEBCAM (preferably HD); MICROPHONE (most laptops or tablets have mikes built in). Be sure your camera is focused on you and your instrument, if applicable.

ely,
Phil S.

Some press:

Phil's compositions showcase a variety of ideas and are quite effective at setting up the soloists to explore the various permutations suggested by his tunes. His compositional originality is matched by his incisive playing which ranges from "inside" lyricism to hard edged, riff based, screaming rock and satisfying surreal textures aided by his intelligent use of electronics."
- David Kane, Cadence Music

"With demonstrative technique, Phil is cognizant of the tradition but thinks outside of the box."
-Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz

no when I was 14 years old and I haven't looked back! I've performed all over the world as a singer, and have always incorporated my piano as much as I can. I have had a joint number one in the UK, as well as other singles in the charts and have done arena tours throughout the UK and Europe. I have masses of performance experience and a lot of industry contacts as well.

Get in touch and we'll go from there! I'm excited to meet you and chat about what you want to achieve.

I can aid in your music theory skills.

My method stresses the importance of ear training and recognition with sound, connecting what you hear with the theoretical concept in written form. I will teach you scales, how to make chords, voicing chords, voice leading from chord to chord, and how to use all of these skills while reading a lead sheet.

If you wish to expand your jazz skills and improvising, we will take all of the previously mentioned skills and learn how to improvise from the knowledge that we have of theory, returning to the ear to draw connections with what we hear and understanding how to recreate the sounds we hear.

I hope aid you in improving your skills on piano, trumpet, guitar, or bass, through music theory and get all of the creativity inside your head out onto your instrument!

a student needs to be to get where they want to go. I look forward to helping you get there!