Name: Challenge 5- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star On The First String
Uploaded: 2023-11-16T19:45:34.052Z
Duration: 5 min

Sometimes we just want to have a little fun with a song! In this challenge we learn Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the first string only. This song will help us to learn the higher number frets on the guitar. It will also give us a chance to take what we've learned so far and apply it to a real piece of music. The exercises/challenges are very important in developing the correct playing technique but we have to mix in some fun music to develop the appreciation and love for making music as well. This balance is key in long term enjoyment and development.

Guitar

I have been teaching the guitar for over 25 years and studying all styles of music for over 30 years with multiple college degrees in guitar/music. My classes focus on playing technique which means playing correctly, teaching songs and styles tailored to the individual student's musical interests, guitar/vocal arranging, music theory, note/tablature reading, song-writing, and everything in between. I hold two public recitals per year for students who have an interest in performance. My clean, spacious, and quiet studio is a much more comfortable place to learn than a noisy music school where you may hear drums, piano, and vocal all at the same time while you are trying to concentrate. Signing up is super easy and there are no binding contracts. It's very simple, if you enjoy the class you can keep coming back for as long as you like.
My classes are based on each individual student's needs and interests. I hold the student's progress and joy of learning above all else. I believe in not only teaching someone how to play, but also cultivating in them a passion for music. The environment I create for each and every student is one of patience, care, and most of all, fun. Getting to know my students and enjoying the process of learning music with them are the most important things to me as a teacher and a student myself.

Challenge 5- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star On The First String

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Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.9

Winner of the County College of Morris Grant Recipient Program

Performed in Masters classes with Christopher Parkening, Judiceal Perroy, and Dennis Azabagic

Owner of and Guitar, Vocal, and Bass teacher for Guitar/Vocal Lessons With A Heart

Choral Director for the City Center Plaza Vocal Group in Oakland, CA from 2015-2018

Guitar and Vocal instructor at Pleasant Hill Music Studio in Pleasant Hill, CA from 2005-2007

Guitar, Bass, and Vocal instructor at Starland Music Center in Alameda, CA from 2005-2020

Guitar, Bass, and Vocal instructor at Melody Acres Music in Lantana, FL from 2002-2005

Guitar, Bass, and Vocal instructor at C# Music Center in Wellington, FL from 2002-2004

Guitar and Bass instructor at SG Music in Waldwick, N.J. from 2000-2002

Guitar and Bass instructor at Ritchie’s Music in Denville, N.J. from 2000-2002

Guitar and Bass instructor at Olde Towne Music in Glassboro, N.J. from 1998-2000

Tutor of music theory and music history at the County College of Morris in Morristown, N.J. from 1996-1998

English

With 25+ years of teaching experience and multiple degrees in music I offer guitar/bass or guitar/bass combined with voice classes that center on learning songs, developing technique, growing repertoire, tab and/or note reading, ear-training, music theory, song-writing, etc. I try to combine all of these areas into a fun and enjoyable learning experience or focus on one or more areas depending on what the student is interested in learning. I teach all ages, levels, and music styles acoustic and electric. I teach at my comfortable, spacious, and quiet home-studio equipped with all music equipment needed for any style of music. Most importantly I find out what the student is specifically interested in learning and tailor the classes to the goals, interests, and experience level of each individual student. I also offer 2 in-person and zoom recitals each year for students interested in performing and introduce different students who are interested in starting bands together.


Will is a talented musician and a skilled teacher. He has connected with my son for the last four years through respect, clear instruction, and a perfect combination of praise and constructive criticism when appropriate. Will is organized, always on time, and clearly loves teaching and guitar. His online recitals have been so well orchestrated and I'm very grateful for his support in instilling what will likely be a lifelong love of guitar for my son.

I have been taking guitar lessons from Will for approximately a couple of years.  I have taken lessons mostly in-person but I have also taken several lessons online due to Covid. Both the in-person and the online instructions have been very positive.  Will has always been a patient and supportive instructor. If you are an adult or teen that is interested in learning new musical skills or if you are a parent that wants your children to develop their guitar skills I would definitely recommend Will as a premier instructor.

Will is a fantastic guitar / vocal instructor. He has a wealth of knowledge and answers all my questions thoroughly. He always gives quality feedback and really pushes me to be the best musician I can be. I recommend lessons from Will for both new and experienced musicians alike.

We love Will. My daughter has been a student of his for years.  He is encouraging, kind, open-minded and knowledgeable.  I highly recommend him.

I have been taking guitar lessons with Will for two years. Will is highly knowledgeable about both his guitar playing skills and teaching abilities. When I first started, I was a complete beginner, yet I was able to play a song after my first class. I've learned many guitar techniques that have helped me easily adapt. He never puts pressure on me, allowing me to learn the guitar at my own pace. He is one of the most outstanding music teachers, which can be hard to find. In addition to learning guitar, I've also developed my skills as a performer, singing while playing the guitar, and delved into music theory.

After 2.5 years of studying classical guitar with a different guitar teacher, I'm very pleased I switched to Will.  Lessons are richer, clearer, more in depth in every way, and more motivating. I now understand the difference between studying with an instructor whose education and early performances were rooted in classical repertoire and an instructor with a modest interest in classical pieces.  Will's teaching is individualized, not homogenized using graded repertoire books where one size fits all.  As a result, I'm playing original compositions which we select together, given my skill set, interest, and need to stretch.  In addition to learning technique, I'm also learning music theory at a comfortable pace to develop greater context for playing.  Practice sessions don't get derailed as Will detects and clears up confusion early in lessons.  His approach takes extra effort, respect, and superior listening skills, which create a great learning environment.  As a former school teacher, I know what good teaching looks like and I know I'm in good hands.

A recording session done in my music studio.

Goin Down The Road

In this challenge we continue the holiday spirit by playing a beautiful melody called Silent Night. As always it's very important that we not only play the right notes but also use the right fingers as well as play the correct rhythm of the song. All of these elements must be right to master the challenge. I have incorporated the use of the pinky finger (4th finger) of the fretting hand which is a feature of this particular challenge. We must learn to get comfortable with the pinky finger if we want to reach our full potential on the guitar. We only have 4 fingers to use and we need to learn to use them all effectively. The only way to do this is of course by using it and this song presents an excellent opportunity to do just that. Enjoy!

Challenge 8 - Silent Night On The First String

With the holiday season here we are learning Jingle Bells in this challenge. With extra time off of work and school why not learn a new song? If you are really feeling inspired share the song with family and friends at a holiday gathering. This is the most difficult song challenge of the 3 we have done so far and will certainly take patience and practice. Once again the right note, the right fretting finger, and the right timing are all needed to master the challenge. Pay special attention to the proper fretting fingers in order to get the notes to flow smoothly. I also include a new tip about finger lifting, or more accurately, finger leaving, that is a very important point in fretting hand technique. Good luck with this challenge, you may need some! (But mainly practice)

Challenge 7 - Jingle Bells on the 1st string

In this challenge we learn a true classic, happy birthday. Learning this song can bring joy to family and friends alike and what better way to express your appreciation to someone on their birthday than by playing a song for them! In this video we again play the song entirely on the first string but we now introduce the importance of using different fretting fingers when we play a song. Using different fretting fingers is key to playing songs smoothly and in the correct timing. Completing a successful challenge consists of 2 parts, playing the right notes and playing those notes in the right timing. Replicate not only the notes I play and the fingers I play the notes with, but also the timing of the notes to master the challenge. Enjoy!

Challenge 6 - Happy Birthday on the 1st string 

In this challenge we explore looking in different places when we play the guitar. By using the finger exercise from challenge 2 or 3 we first play the exercise by only watching the fretting hand, then only watching the picking hand, and finally looking at neither hand by closing our eyes or looking towards the wall or ceiling. By developing flexibility with our eyes we learn a greater mastery over the guitar by honing our senses of touch and perhaps most importantly our sense of hearing. Also, by trusting our hands more we have greater ability in keeping the perfect beat or rhythm, the cornerstone of all successful music playing.

Challenge 4- The No-Look Challenge

Build from the previous challenge by now adding a very important but often neglected fretting finger, the 4th finger or pinky. In this challenge we again aim to get all of our notes sounding perfectly smooth and I explain in detail how to do this. By timing our picking hand at the exact same moment as our fretting hand and counting with a solid beat or rhythm, we can master all aspects of this short yet highly efficient exercise/challenge. 

Challenge 3- The 4 Fret Challenge

Enjoy learning about the fretboard, fretting a note correctly with the proper hand position and finger placement, getting comfortable with the different fretting fingers, and playing the 3 fret challenge. Each challenge gets progressively harder and teaches more about playing technique in short yet focused format that allows students to focus on playing all elements of the technique correctly!

Challenge 2- The 3 Fret Challenge

Have fun learning the correct way to identify the strings, hold the pick, and pick the strings. The video culminates in what I call the open sting picking challenge, a fun and easy exercise to master while developing a solid and accurate picking technique.

William H.

Challenge 5- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star On The First String

William's Guitar videos

Goin Down The Road

Challenge 8 - Silent Night On The First String

Challenge 7 - Jingle Bells on the 1st string

Challenge 6 - Happy Birthday on the 1st string