Ipswich, MA Guitar Lessons

guitar, voice training and live performance.

Along with his own private teaching practice Billy also has taught at Governor’s Academy (Byfield), Music Makers (Hampton NH) and is current the guitar and voice teacher at National Music (Woburn).

*** Lesson Details ***
Identify your goals and take over the world! Educate and motivate!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a recording studio in my home.

*** Specialties ***
Blues, Rock, Contemporary Pop, Jazz, Funk

ents at any level, even if you have never picked up an instrument before. I can work with you and get you on the path to being the kind of musician you want to be.

*** Lesson Details ***
I custom tailor my lessons to meet a students individual needs. I am a serious teacher, but I am a laid back person. I am easy going, but I will make sure you learn what you need to learn. I can guarantee after 4 or 5 lessons with me, you will have tripled your knowledge of chords, scales, technique, and song repertoire. I am very patient and am happy to work with students of all ages and skill levels.

I encourage mid to upper level students to bring in CD's or email an MP3/YouTube link of songs they want to learn (if they are at the right level) and I will transcribe them on the spot and go through them with you step by step.

If you want to learn how to play all your favorite songs, I am the teacher for you. I won't make you play music you aren't really interested in, but I will make recommendations for songs to improve your playing and include music theory so that you understand what you are playing and why you are playing it. The point of playing music is to HAVE FUN, after all.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fender Blues Jr. III guitar amp, Vintage Gallien Kreuger guitar amp, Carvin/Peavey Bass amp, Epiphone 1 x 12 guitar amp, custom thin line telecaster, custom solid body telecaster, vintage synsonic electric guitar, breedlove acoustic guitar, Tacoma acoustic bass, Schecter stiletto 5 string electric bass, Ibanez soundgear 5 string bass, custom stratocaster, vintage synsonic single coil guitar, 5 string banjo, , Diamond Head tenor ukulele, u-king soprano banjolele , M-Audio oxygen 8 midi controller, Blue Mic USB microphone, Eurorack mixer, shure microphone, 2011 Macbook pro w/ Sibelius, Pro Tools, Garage Band, Reason. Full lutherie shop equipped to do custom builds, guitar set-ups, mods.

*** Specialties ***
Picked and fingerstyle acoustic or electric guitar, Fingerstyle or picked bass guitar, ukulele, improvisation, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip-Hop, Bossa, recording, lutherie, etc.

than 30 years, I am currently the Director of Worship for the chapel at Gordon College, a small Christian school north of Boston. I'm often involved in city-wide music events in Boston’s faith-based community and in demand as a featured musician for church services, parties, concerts and other events.

I hold a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory in Jazz Piano and am comfortable and fluent in a number of musical styles. In addition to private lessons and performing, I do music transcription, workshops, and all forms of vocal and instrumental arranging. My passions include morning coffee, finding new guitar chords, creating killer PowerPoint presentations, and trying to figure out how to use my smart phone.

*** Lesson Details ***
My priority as a teacher is to make the learning process fun, life-giving, and productive. I teach with patience and humor, at a challenging but not frustrating pace.

Some quotes from my students:
"I absolutely love learning from Bil! I've watched my playing and the playing of others at church vastly improve as a result of his training."

"[Bil] is filled with a large amount of knowledge, so while sitting under him you not only learn about how to play but you learn about music history and theory. Beyond being a good teacher he is genuine and friendly and cares about others."

"I have really enjoyed working with Bil. His patience and wealth of knowledge has helped me come out of my musical shell and has encouraged me to discover my musical voice."

"Bil makes learning theory fun! His deep understanding of music is complemented by his contagious enthusiasm."

"Bil has taken me to a different level. I went from tab and basic guitar chords, to building jazz chords and a far greater understanding of music theory."

There are at least two ways that might set me apart from other teachers.

Firstly, I have honed and developed "people skills". I am an ordained minister and have held positions where I was formally and informally in a mentoring/pastoring role. I bring that sensitivity to my music lessons, understanding that personal and emotional issues can be triggered by the engagement with the music and skills being worked on.

Secondly, I've had a remarkable broad base of experience. My coursework has exposed me to a wide breadth of ideas and tools; my work life has been long and varied; I have had extensive experience in many different cultural contexts, both musically and otherwise; and I work well with many age groups and skill levels.

Regarding my teaching approach:
For beginners, I have a fairly consistent set of topics and skill sets to cover. Generally, in a few months, piano students (particularly those in middle school through adulthood) should know how to play major, minor and seventh chords, how to read simple chord charts and some very basic accompanying skills. Guitar students should know a dozen open chords and have been introduced to barre chords, and to have learned several styles of finger picking as well as strumming. Bass students should know how to find notes on the board and will have begun to learn how to fill out a song with an expressive but non-obtrusive bass line.

For intermediate students, the pace, direction and focus on lessons depends upon the goals and passions of the student along with the amount of time he or she has to practice. My goals for students at this level and beyond is to learn how to learn. I will use outstanding recorded examples of particular skills or stylistic idioms to help my students understand and master each new concept. I often will check in with my student to make sure that we are on track with what they are hoping for.

For advanced students, we will generally target very specific objectives. I also try to add elements of theory, history, culture, and even life lessons to apply to the topics we address. Because of my background in pastoral ministry, I can serve as a mentor addressing the emotional and relational issues of playing music as well as its technical aspects.

*** Studio Equipment ***
upstairs music room: fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, amps, drum set, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
if for guitar or bass, that instrument; I expect piano students to have an available keyboard and for other students to have their own instrument(s).

*** Specialties ***
strong in jazz, rock, pop, gospel, sacred, R&B.

nt specific curriculum. The experience should be fun and educational for the student.
​
Various openings 9am - 10pm
Prices are negotiable depending on location

I encourage students to take one or two lessons per week at a regularly scheduled time. References are available.

"Aidan has been teaching my 12-year old son guitar for the last year. He started with the basics in technique and later worked with him on music appreciation. My son really enjoyed his easy-going and attentive nature and attitude. Aidan was always punctual and respectful of our schedule. I feel my son learned a lot about music and he enjoyed working with Aidan."
-Carol L

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!

y improvisational anchor and ear training.

ar as music tutoring goes, real world experience matters more than degrees.
-Expensive. Teaching guitar is a passion of mine, not a source of livelihood. I have no pressing need to pay bills teaching guitar. Therefore, my prices are cheap and reasonable.