Fenton, MO Songwriting Lessons

ptionally good lesson.

Making music is a skill which can bring lifelong joy to the musician as well as everyone around them. While I can easily ensure that my students enjoy music-making while they are taking lessons, my ultimate goal is that students continue to want to make music throughout their entire life, even after they stop taking lessons. I firmly believe that my job as a teacher is to train my students to be independent and self-sufficient musicians. Many teachers teach by rote, playing a passage to a student and then having the student play it back. Though this method is helpful in some situations, students who are taught in this manner often find that they are only able to play the songs taught to them in lessons, and that to learn a new song they must have a teacher by their side showing them how the song goes. In my lessons, however, students are taught to learn their own music through sight-reading, ear-training, music theory, and listening to and critiquing their own playing. Over time, this allows the student more and more freedom to make music without a teacher.

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My students can expect professional, expert advise from a working performance artist. One of my main philosophies is a focus on fun. If music is fun, then students will practice more - which leads to accelerating returns. My students can expect lessons tailored to their specific goals. First I will discuss with the student musical influences and genre preferences, then I will assess the student's current abilities and we will begin designing a weekly regimen of practice and study. As a product of the Internet generation, I recommend using all the tools available to my students including the Internet to further their goals. My students will also learn to perform with other musicians, so we will typically have a segment of each lesson dedicated to jam time. Whether my students aspire to be professional performance artists, impress their love interests, or just rock out in their bedrooms, I work with my students so that they can do exactly that.

*** Studio Equipment ***
one bedroom apt...hardwood floor...central room for studio...music stands, room parents to sit, chairs...

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring a music stand, an acoustic guitar, my handout literature, and any other equipment (mic, stand, vocal amp, electric guitar, guitar amp) based on what my students want to learn. I expect my students to own whatever instruments they want to learn.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching acoustic and electric guitar and stage performance. I teach using handouts that I customize for students and have lessons made up around different concepts such as - learning to identify what key a song is in - how to use 3 chord combinations - learning scales and when to use them - these type of things. I usually teach based on how I learned, which includes - using the Internet to learn songs - how to figure out how a particular song is played - getting into good practice habits - etc. My genres of specialty are Blues, Rock/Classic Rock/Southern Rock, and Acoustic Singer/Songwriter. What I like to do is ask a student what kind of music or songs they would like to learn, then build them up to the level they need to be to play those songs or that style of interest.

acting, I've been fortunate enough to work in some fantastic music programs in New York City. I taught voice, guitar, and piano as School of Rock NYC (yep based on the movie) and now currently teach at the musical theatre teen conservatory 'Applause'. I am looking to build more into my private studio and hope to find students that not only want to take lessons, but participate in masterclasses, and given enough people, put on live singing events at cool, and hip venues in the city! I want my lessons to be something everyone can not only learn from, grow, but also experience by doing it. Your level of experience, musicianship, and age doesn't matter. Come to class willing to learn, and I promise you will get the most out of your singing lessons!

Masterclasses Taught:
University of Maine - Preparing the Audition
Penobscot Theatre - Singing with Power
School of Rock - Songwriting 101
School of Rock - Vocals for Any Decade

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.

guitarist Peter Leitch.

In 1993 he started St. Louis SoundWorks with Grammy nominated Adam Long and Mark McClanahan that specialized in mobile recording, and composing music for films and commercials.

As a musician, David has composed over 200 pieces for various instruments and combinations from small chamber ensembles to full orchestra. He was bandleader of two creative ensembles that focused on alternative notation compositions and improvised music, and later co-founded the avant-garde influenced rock band Diverted Course which released two CD's.

As a teacher, David has taught classical guitar and musicianship as an adjunct faculty member at Meramec College and Webster University. He has given seminars on the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Anthony Braxton. He has been teaching privately for 23 years and many of his students have gone on to successful music careers and performed all over the world.

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach students of all ages in a fun and positive manner. I am flexible and will tailor the lessons to satisfy your own individual goals. Whether you are a beginner that wants to gain a foundation in technique, sight reading, and basic theory or an intermediate or more advanced player that wants to increase their knowledge and polish their skills, I will devise a plan to meet your needs. I encourage regular practice and like my students to keep a journal to monitor their progress.

I teach a variety of styles including classical guitar, blues, rock, jazz, and avant-garde.

Ultimately, I believe everyone needs a creative outlet, a way to express themselves, and has something unique to say, and I aim to help those students find their own voice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Extra guitars and amps at both places. Mixing board at the studio. Only has a upright piano at his home address but has a keyboard at studio

*** Travel Equipment ***
Expect my students to provide the guitar. Amplification is optional.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, jazz, rock, blues, and avant-garde.

ests, festivals, and self confidence for life. The techniques for singing that I use are to create a sound, healthy, and free voice. Hope to study along side you!

several times. Justin was also a part of the New York Youth Symphony Jazz Band, playing lead and the solo chair. He has performed nationwide and has had the opportunity to perform in clubs such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Birdland, Smoke, FatCat, Cleopatras Needle, Starland Ballroom, Highline Ballroom and Symphony Space. Justin has also toured with the International Vans Warped Tour all over the country and in parts of Canada. He has worked with people such as John Pattitucci, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Randy Brecker, Charles McPherson, Arturo O'Farril, John Pizzarelli, Joe Lovano, Maria Schneider, Eddie Palmieri, Peter Erskine, Brian Lynch, Luis Bonilla, Jason Rigby, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Joe Magnarelli, Pete Mcguinness and Mike Holober.

ld including many caribbean islands like Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Kitts.

I offer lessons to people of ALL AGES! I customize my lessons to focus on the things YOU WANT TO LEARN. My favorite thing to teach is how to play by ear! I can teach you the system that all professional musicians use to be able to play songs instantly after hearing it once. It really is possible with a little practice.

I do also teach the classical repertoire if that is what you are more interested in. For most students, I teach a combination of playing by ear and learning music theory, as well as some classical repertoire.

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