Cabin John, MD Flamenco Guitar Lessons

l be to RELAX, BE PATIENT, and HAVE FUN. Yes, mastering (or even just getting decent at) the guitar takes time and dedicated work, but it should NEVER...BE...RUSHED. Ironically, by relaxing and taking it slow, you'll excel rather quickly and, more importantly, CORRECTLY.

Lessons are based on time-tested methods in guitar pedagogy as well as on up-to-date scientific research in the neurological and psychological processes of skill acquisition and expertise. Key concepts you will learn to incorporate into your practice are "deliberate practice," "spaced practice," "interleaved practice," "performance practice," "mental practice," "conceptual practice," and more. My goal, as a teacher, is to help students learn to practice effectively and efficiently in order to develop the neurological pathways necessary to form, improve, and maintain high-level, musical skills.

CAN ANYONE LEARN GUITAR?

Absolutely! I accept students over 6 years old and at any experience level. Whether you've never touched a guitar before our first lesson, have been playing for a few years, or have your Master's degree in guitar performance, I can and will help you achieve your goals (so long as you do your homework).

WHAT KIND OF GUITAR DO YOU NEED?

For flamenco or classical lessons, you will need a nylon-string guitar (e.g., classical or flamenco), NOT a steel string guitar. If you don't own a nylon-string guitar, you can certainly rent one, but it must be available to you for home practice AT LEAST 6 days/week. For general guitar (with a pick), either a nylon-string or steel-string guitar is fine; however, beginners should use nylon-string guitars.

CAN YOU GUARANTEE RESULTS?

YES! If you follow my instruction and practice plan, I can certainly guarantee results!

Consistent and correct practice are the keys to success. The more consistent you are and the more correctly you practice, the sooner you'll reach your goals. This requires you to commit to practicing 6 days/week for an absolute minimum of 20 minutes/day up to a maximum of 3.5 hours/day; NO EXCEPTIONS! Again, you also MUST be practicing CORRECTLY. I'll show you how, but if you aren't practicing this way and are not consistent with your practice plan, I cannot guarantee results.

d have won high school battle of the bands competitions and recently placed 2nd in BYU's battle of the bands 2011. I was a regional finalist in Guitar Center's "King of the Blues" competition as well.

Jaxon the Teacher: I really love spreading the knowledge I've learned over the years about the guitar, bass guitar, songwriting, music theory, and everything music related to my students. I find a huge sense of fulfillment in seeing my students understand and enjoy learning and making beautiful music. I have a high level of knowledge and skills that I am very willing to use to teach students from the most beginner to the most advanced. Former students of mine have achieved lofty goals ranging from making it into a music program at the college level to winning their school's talent show to being accepted into their school's jazz band.

*** Lesson Details ***
My curriculum is based around YOU. I push my students hard, but I make sure they're always having fun and enjoying playing. I like to get my students playing real songs as fast as possible so they can see results immediately and get excited!

Note: I am trained and specialized in teaching children fingerstyle guitar. I have taught hundreds of kids in schools, privately, and in groups over the last two years. The method I use is proven to give kids the best possible start to music and maximize their potential. If you have children and you want them to learn good technique and music principles through guitar, you don't want to look any further, I promise.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have stools, music stands, and an amp here so all you need to bring is your guitar!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I do not provide any equipment.
Student must have their own guitar and amp if they play electric.
I do have guitars available for rental.

*** Specialties ***
-Children's fingerstyle guitar
-Proficient in Suzuki method
-Specialist in classical guitar, though proficient up to highly advanced in any guitar style (blues, rock, country, jazz, pop, etc)
-Also very experienced teaching songwriting and music performance

best.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar, instruments, keyboards recording equipment, waiting room, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music stand, foot stool, cables.- Teacher
Own instrument, amplifier if needed, notebook.-Student

*** Specialties ***
I have been teaching for about 25 years and am well versed in Jazz, Classical, Rock, Blues and Country genres. I focus on anything from note reading, theory, improvisation and composing.

s of music as opposed to just "picking and grinning", IE learning only "By Ear." I do specialize in music theory, and have many students taking lessons simply for this excellent foundation for songwriting also.

I am a classically trained guitarist that performs both as a soloist and for ensemble in a wide variety of styles. I graduated in 1996 from Schoolcraft College with an Associates degree in Music performance, and then, studying under the tutelage of Brian Roberts went on to receive my Bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance with a secondary in Jazz from Wayne State University in 2004. While at Wayne State and along the way I've performed and participated in several masterclasses with renowned artists: William Kanengiser, John Holmquest, Philip Candelaria, Jason Vieaux, Scott Tennant, and Antigoni Goni. I have also completed the teacher requirements for books 1-a and 1-b for the Suzuki Guitar Institute.

Many of my classical guitar and electric guitar students have went on to study further at the collegiate level, some achieving scholarships. My most recent students are current Berklee school of music graduates now in a band called "Flight of Fire", recently opened for Bonjovi this past summer and are getting air time on local radio stations... well on their way to living the dream! …the bulk of my students become full time professional musicians.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am an extremely patient person who has been teaching for over 20 years. I am laid back so there will be no pressure. With my electric and steel string guitar students, I host a special "Jam Session" 2 - 3 times a year to which will be one of your goals to participate in. This includes playing with a drummer, bassist, singer and another guitar player (usually me) and having it recorded. This should serve as your motivation to practice. This really eliminates the need for me to pull out a "yardstick" and "smack" your hands over the knuckles when not practicing your scales as many old traditional teachers may have done!

At your first lesson I will talk with you and give you examples of music that is played with a Flat-Pick, or music that uses the Finger-Style technique. This will be an important process as it will dictate which direction you will go in as a musician and especially during our lessons.

For the most part, playing with a Flat-Pick is generally used with the electric guitar and with most mainstream styles of music like "Rock and Roll", "Blues", "Rock-a-Billy" "Funk", and playing with the Finger-Style technique is used in styles like "Classical" and "Folk." After a while, I will introduce you to the other style of playing as well, as most great guitar players use both techniques in their playing...musicians (guitarists) such as: “Jimmy Page“, “Brian Setzer”, “Stevie Ray Vaughan”, “Joe Satriani”, “Lindsey Buckingham”, “Paul McCartney”, “John Mayer”, and many, many more.

To make learning the guitar Fun, I make sure to incorporate your main interest(s) first. Whether it be learning your new favorite song(s), learning how to write a song, or just learning some basics that you can use for when sitting around the campfire. This will be intertwined with which style you choose to start with: Flat-Pick or Finger-Style.

Pending on the level that you are starting at, (beginner, intermediate, advanced) I will include tidbits of music theory that will be used in a consistent manner. These will usually be progressive, pending on your level. For example, the songs you learn will be written out in an easy to understand chart that will have the fundamental aspects of theory (IE, chords, key, and rhythm pattern) that all musicians should understand.

With Children learning with a Flat-Pick, I encourage the use of a basic guitar instruction book.
Level One (beginners) :

"Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book One" by Will Schmid.

I will also use as a substitute for Level One:
"Alfred's Basic Guitar Method" by Alfred's Publishing Co.

More advanced players who can read music already (and graduates from book one) I prefer;
"Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book Two"

With Adults, I will ask if learning to read music interests you. It is a vital part of a practicing musician, but sometimes your needs may require a more one dimensional approach as time may be of essence. Again, I learned by ear and educated myself later...so I understand the person who wants to hold off on reading right away.

Students who want to learn the Classical (Finger-Style) approach will be encouraged to purchase a beginners book that I use written by one of my first instructors/mentor. It is a very intuitive book that covers the technique in great detail yet is very easy to understand (along with my help.) I will provide means of acquiring this book at your first lesson.

Students who want to learn the Folk (Finger-Style) approach will usually start in the above book, unless your an adult who just wants to learn some basics.

At your first lesson I will also provide you with documentation that goes more in depth about the various styles of guitar as the above info is scaled down.

*** Studio Equipment ***
-Amps

-Guitars (Electric, Acoustic, Classical, Bass)

- PA (loud speakers so you can Turn it Up! When playing along)

-Band in a Box (to play along with real prerecorded instruments seamlessly interleaved into a band type setting with almost unlimited genre choices...very impressive technology)

- Pro Tools (recording gear for all needs)

- Guitar Pro and Finale (to transpose music into sheet music)

-Skype (for out of town interactivity. Can do lessons via Skype)

-Basement with plenty of seating for parents, and or observers.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, and Acoustic Guitar; Improvisation, Songwriting, Backup Vocals, Fretboard Harmony, Music Theory, Performance, and Recording.

want if your preferences change. As far as music teachers go, I'd like to think of myself as pretty laid back. I understand that most people have lives outside of music, so we'll go at a pace that is most comfortable for you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I combine the styles of music that you prefer with some kind of method book for reading and theory. No purchasing of music is required. Normal lessons start with the previously assigned material, determining what we need to work on, new material, and ending with things to do at home.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Ample guitars, amps, chairs, and music stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a music stand, tuner, metronome, and amplifier if necessary

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical methods - sight-reading, theory, and performance play an integral role in music.

gthen their technique or finally begin that piece they have always wanted to learn.

TSIT.