Newtonville Music Lessons

essary to function within your favorite genre of music. At the same time, I may introduce you to some forms of music less familiar to you. You can then use that experience to bring a fresh approach to your chosen style.

The name of the game is time-keeping and time feel. You will be expected to practice with a metronome, but also with recorded tracks. We will record your playing and listen back. This is one of the best ways to improve your playing.

Double bass and/or double pedal also taught as well as left foot clave, Latin percussion, piano, and music theory.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Two drum sets, full PA, fender rhodes piano, congas, timbales and hand percussion, frame drums, bongos, DVD player, audio recording capabilities. Parents can sit in on lesson.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can bring a practice pad set to the student's home. Metronome, ipod, some lesson handouts, and occasionally DVD's will also be brought.

*** Specialties ***
All styles and levels: rock, jazz, Latin, percussion as applied to drumset. Reading, time feel, counting and singing

ve put down their instrument for a while a seek to pick it back up, and help to hone and refine the skills of the more experienced musicians who are looking for that direction in their practice that they just can't grasp on their own. No matter your experience level, age, gender, race, height, hair color or favorite ice cream flavor, you can always turn to music as an outlet for your creativity and happiness.

A little about myself: I first picked up the guitar after listening to AC/DC pound out those riffs like their lives depended on it and defined rock and roll for me as a young teenager. My dad bought me my first guitar, and after playing my first power chord I haven't left the instrument since. After classic rock was my first musical love, I continued along and delved into more contemporary rock and heavy metal genres later in my teenage years and learned how to play some of my favorite songs. Soon after, I became obsessed with technique and music theory and started shedding to play like the pros. Eventually I realized that music would be all that I really wanted to do professionally, and enrolled at the music program at Hunter College. I have since studied classical guitar and jazz and became obsessed with that music as well, performing several solo guitar recitals, chamber music recitals, jazz combo and big band gigs. I have recently graduated Hunter with a Master's degree in guitar performance and am playing in a couple of full time bands, collaborating with other classical musicians, and practicing and writing solo guitar repertoire.

I have been teaching guitar in a huge variety of styles for a number of years, and have been teaching bass guitar for the last couple of years as well. If you want to learn it, I will teach it to you.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will be friendly and laid back, yet emphasize hard work and practice. You should come to my lessons with both a desire to learn and a desire to have fun. If you are a beginner, at first we will drill the basics and fundamentals, but in new and creative ways that will get you playing real music as soon as possible and as often as possible. I tailor the lessons to your specific interests and goals, taking material from a variety of resources to enhance the learning process. You will learn to play the music you want to, and also improvise and compose music of your own. Technique and creativity will be achieved with hard work, and in time you will learn to play anything you can come up with.

For more experienced guitarists, I expect you to come in and either play something and/or have an idea of what you want to work on, and we'll go from there. We can work on everything from pure chops, to learning specific songs or pieces, music theory, composition, improvisation and everything in between. All I ask is that you bring pencil and paper, a metronome if you have one, and a desire to make some real progress.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Practice Room: guitar amplifier, grand piano, nearly soundproof rooms
Home Studio: guitar amp, bass amp, cables

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will come with my guitar, a metronome, and a cable if my student is studying electric guitar. My student should have a guitar, paper, a pencil, a metronome, and an amplifier and cable if he were studying electric guitar.

*** Specialties ***
I take an approach that is universal to genres and stylistic preferences, using a combination of demonstration and conversation to get concepts across. I then attempt to gauge the student's tastes, goals, and overall skill level, and I tailor the lessons specifically to them. I encourage an understanding of musical fundamentals and an understanding of musical purpose first, and then I get into specific teaching methods; such as the teaching of specific pieces, the teaching of composition, or the teaching of improvisation. I try to incorporate history and musical philosophy whenever I can, and I try to simplify big concepts into their essential points.

I specialize in classical music from all periods with an emphasis on the 20th and 21st century. I play and teach jazz from the straight ahead standards to free jazz, which I also specialize in. My background comes from blues, rock, and heavy metal playing, and I am adept at playing and teaching those genres as well. I also am beginning to study Eastern European, Central Asian and Eastern Asian music, and I find that many practices in those styles apply to western music in many ways.

ills that can be beneficial in every aspect of our daily lives. Whether you are new to the cello, picking it back up after some time off, or at a more advanced level, I hope to hear from you! If you have any questions at all, please send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

BIO:
Born in Minneapolis, MN, Victor Mooney began playing cello at the age of 7. While in Minneapolis he studied with Tom Austin, former member of the Minnesota Opera. Victor completed a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Iowa State University, where he studied with George Work. Upon graduation he was awarded the Outstanding Senior in Music award, the highest honor the Music Department at Iowa State gives. While in undergrad he also received a scholarship for excellence in performance. Starting in the fall of 2015, Victor will be pursuing a Master's of Music in Cello Performance from The Boston Conservatory, where he will be studying with Andrew Mark. He has participated in master classes with Anthony Ross, Tanya Remenikova, Narek Hakhnazaryan, Hong Wang, Bruce Uchimura, and Joshua Koestenbaum. Since 2013 he has played with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. While at Iowa State University he had the opportunity to sit Principle Cello in both the Iowa State University Symphony Orchestra and the Iowa State University Chamber Orchestra.  He has been teaching privately in the Des Moines area since 2012 and is looking forward to building a studio in Boston. Outside of music, Victor enjoys reading, watching hockey and soccer, running, and visiting with family and friends in Minnesota. 

understanding of rhythm, sound, breathing, technique, interpretation, and expression.

rently I teach from my home studio in Boston, and I'm also available to come to your location.

I look forward to helping you reach your goals!