Brentwood, MD Music Theory Lessons

signed around the needs of each student. The first lessons is always spent testing range, knowledge and abilities already known by the student. Then the student weighs in on what kind of music they would like to learn and what they hope to gain from the lessons. Theory and ear training are incorporated into the lessons. We work on breathing, technique and style. Generally we start with English or Italian. We work on vocal performance from a classical standpoint but Jazz and Broadway can also be taught if desired by the student. Scales and exercises are given each week to be worked on until the next lesson. A recording device is encouraged if the student cannot play the piano. Also, a voice note book to take notes during the lesson to be used during practice during the week.

*** Specialties ***
classical voice and jazz voice.

as possible.
In a few months a student should be able to read music and play simple melodies and chords.

*** Specialties ***
I teach classical as well as pop, providing a broad foundation that allows the student to play any style of music.

ears. His students generally range anywhere from 4-70+ years old and come from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of proficiency, from basic beginners to advanced. Some of his students have also gone on to pursue careers in music, others have just learned as a hobby, and some have been somewhere in between the two. All are welcome!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in living room with couches, chairs, cables/amps, as well as extra guitars (acoustic and electric) and a bass guitar, if needed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide amps and stands, etc if needs be. However, if they are already provided for the student's sake/in terms of the student (i.e. I'll bring the equipment needed for myself), this would be ideal.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, rock, jazz, blues, classical, metal and funk.

y and excitement into each lesson as possible. Even if there are no signs of progress, the most important thing is to encourage the student because getting better at your instrument is exponential and will usually start off sluggish.

My first steps into getting to know the student better is to begin with having them choose a style of music that they like and play along with some of their favorite artists, in order for them to loosen up and get excited for learning. When I feel the student is fully comfortable and ready to begin our learning process, I will also have them play along with a style more complex, or out of their comfort zone, if you will. This establishes a sub conscious goal that they will want to reach every time they pick up their instrument which result in long-term commitment, respect and understanding of music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Before taking lessons with me, there are only 2 things you need to know:

.You are REQUIRED to express your creative side with 100% honesty, there will be no holding back in creativity in my classroom!

.Keep in my that though we want you to be as open as possible, I will often have strict guidelines for the benefit of your musicianship. It may seem like I may push you sometimes and it may seem to get boring and pointless.. but your musicianship will improvement exponentially with each lesson!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Drums/Percussion:

.Roland TD-9 Electronic Drumset
.DW-4 piece Acoustic Drumset
.Pearl 6 piece Acoustic Drumset
.Bongos
.Remo Roto Toms

Audio Production:

.General DAW's (Audio Software)
.Komplete 8 Ultimate
.M-Audio M-Box Interface
.Ibanez Electric Guitar
.2 Acoustic Guitars
.Midi Controller/Interface
.Baby Blue Bottle Microphone
.2 KRK 6's Studio Monitors

w/ sound proof insulated room to amplify the clearest sound possible.

*** Specialties ***
My drumming personality derives from Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Metal, Rock, Electronic and Pop. I have extensive live performance experience in such genres.

ks better than the spoken word because it doesn't have to be understood to be effective."

In some instances, music works better than the spoken word because it doesn't have to be understood to be effective. Although many musicians agree that music is a "language" it is rarely treated as such.

Many of us treat it as something that can only be learned by following a strict regiment under the tutelage of a skilled teacher. This approach has been followed for hundreds of years with proven success... But it takes a long time. Too long.

Think about the first language you learned as a child. More importantly, think about how you learned it.

"You were allowed to make mistakes."

You were a baby when you first started speaking and even though you spoke the language incorrectly you were allowed to make mistakes - and the more mistakes you made, the more your parents smiled!

Learning to speak was not something you were sent somewhere to do only a few times a week. The majority of people you spoke to were not beginners, they were already proficient speakers. Imagine your parents forcing to only speak to other babies until you were good enough to speak to them! You'd probably be an adult before you could carry on a proper conversation.

To use a musical term, as a baby you were allowed to "jam" with professionals.

If we approach music in the same natural way we approached our first language, we would learn to speak it in the same short time it took to speak our first language.
Proof of this can be seen in almost any family where a child grows up with other musicians in the family.

Here are a few keys to follow in learning guitar or bass:

In the beginning we embrace mistakes instead of correcting them. Like a child playing air guitar there are no wrong notes.

Allow young musicians to play and perform with accomplished musicians on a daily basis.

Encourage young musicians to play more than they practice. The more they play, the more they will practice on their own.

Music comes from the musician, not the instrument.
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2) RockSmith 2014 becomes your personal accomplished musician or band for you to play in a daily basis as it monitors how you play, dynamically adjusts difficulty to your skill level, then slowly introduces more notes and phrases until you're playing your favorite songs note-for-note. Lead Rhythm and bass lines.

Rocksmith 2014 teaches you fast and effectively by letting you plug any real guitar or bass directly into your Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system, Windows PC or Mac.

The Rocksmith Method will first make sure you can PLAY the instrument.
You will play your favorite songs.
You will learn a new technique every month.
Rocksmith is designed to match the way your guitar is laid out, so there's no need to interpret tablature or learn sheet music to get started.
Have strings on your guitar? You'll see strings on the screen....

You'll need a game console, a screen and a electric guitar or bass. It's non negotiable.

If you don't have it. I will provide you with a loaner system until you catch up.

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3) A dedicated and passionate Teacher to tie everything together and keep you on track.

The early you start, the better. Kids age 6 or up are my best customers. They don't have adjust to anything other than to get their little fingers around a guitar appropriate to their size.
For young adults and people that tried play the guitar the old fashion way, here's my advise:

You will need to take a step back... or maybe two steps. Let me show you a better way.

These 3 things changes everything in how to learn or teach guitar. This is just to start the journey. I won't even mention custom songs or our musician club for you to perform your songs.

"If music is a language. You should never stop talking."

Remember that a language works the best when we have something interesting to say.
Many music teachers never find out what their students have to say. We only tell them what they are supposed to say.
A child speaks a language for years before they even learn the alphabet.
Too many rules at the onset will actually slow them down.
In my eyes the approach to music should be the same.

After all, music is a language too.

Let's Play & Grow Together.

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Private guitar and bass lessons are designed for students to progress at their own pace. Private lessons will follow the same RockSmith Journey structure. In a private guitar or bass lesson, the teacher has the opportunity to help the student individually for the entire lesson time, and structures each lesson personally for the student depending on their skill level and goals.

The Essentials/Techniques Plus:

Tuning
Strapping up
How to hold a pick
Plucking strings
Accents
Slides
Chords
Power chords
Double stops
Barre chords
Arpeggios
Notes Chords Scales

Shifting
Fretting
Sustains
Palm mutes
Slides
Bends
Tremelos
Hammer-ons
Pull-offs
Natural harmonics
Strumming patterns
Unpitched slides
Fret hand mutes
Improvising and jamming
Vibrato
Scales and modes
Changing strings

Additional Bass Techniques:

Fifths
Roots
Slapping
Popping

Advanced Players:

Double stop, Oblique, and Compound Bends
Two hand tapping
Articulation and phrasing
Pinch harmonics
Extended harmonies
Hybrid techniques
Advanced chords

have fun!

Sarah believes it's never too young to start an instrument, and especially enjoys working with beginner adults.