Chappaqua, NY Guitar Lessons

aving been reared in one of the richest and most diverse musical scenes in the country, NYC. This enables Matt to teach and perform in a broad range from the traditional classical guitar/piano to experimental.
As an educator, Matt is different from other teachers in his ability to inspire and motivate. Learning to play and master an instrument is challenging and can be a very frustrating experience. Matthew has techniques proven student after student to be successful in overcoming learning obstacles so that the student is able to meet his/her individualized goals. Matthew also has experience teaching individuals with disabilities ranging from Autism to Cancer patients. This ability has helped Matthew become a teacher with over 15 years experience.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are provided in a private studio in Astoria, NY or your home. Once, a location is established I work with each student to identify his or her goals and objectives both musically and personally. Students are assessed to determine where their individual ability is at the time of assessment. From there, I work in partnership with the student as we begin mastering the guitar or the piano in a fun and supportive environment. Whether you are interested in learning to play the blues, classical or jazz guitar or any other genre or just learning how to play songs on the piano, I can help. If you are a beginner, don't worry it won't all be scales. In fact I guarantee you will be playing a song within your first lesson. If you are an advanced or intermediate student, I can help you master your skills. We (you and I) will revisit proper right and left hand techniques; utilize exercises to improve your speed and accuracy. You will learn new methods to strengthen your improvisation abilities. In short, you and I will make sure to build on your strengths and undo any bad habits that are hindering your ability to grow as a guitarist or pianist.

*** Specialties ***
music, Guitar and Piano
I begin with meeting the student where they are in relation to their musical experience. After establishing trust, through encouragement I empower students to recognize their potential with out pre-determined expectations or limits. I am comfortable in various genres from classical to punk.

and HER sound, a challenge which continues to manifest itself even today in a variety of ways. Kathy is now a singer/songwriter and performs often with her own band in which she sings, plays guitar, writes her own songs and arranges them for intricate backup harmonies and multiple instrumentation. A variety of influences are apparent in her music, including the musical genres of folk, pop, jazz, and yes, even hip hop. She has recorded three albums of her music and all have been received to critical acclaim.

She sings as a professional cantor at St. John the Baptist Church in Manhattan, and teaches private voice, guitar and piano lessons throughout the city of New York. She served for a time as the general music teacher for St. Dominic's School in the Bronx, where she was responsible for Pre-K through 8th grade music classes, and, true to form, she is often called upon in a multitude of situations to perform in a variety of musical genres. She is always pleased with the ever-changing musical scenery around her.

*** Lesson Details ***
A lesson with Kathy equals half of the allotted time being used to learn good technique (i.e., learning healthy vocal habits, singing vocalizes, learning to read music, playing scales, etc.) and the other half of the time singing and playing repertoire. The repertoire includes both pieces chosen by Kathy (always approved by the student) which excite and inspire the student's particular musical tastes while providing a new challenge in technique to be conquered, and also pieces brought in by the student; for example, if a student is working on music for a specific performance, etc., or if they just really like a piece and want to learn how to play or sing it, Kathy is always ready and willing to lend a hand and an ear!

Vocally, Kathy believes good basic technique is the same for every genre of music. Therefore, great emphasis is placed on learning to breathe and support your sound correctly as well as maintain good posture, rid your body of unwanted tensions, etc.; musical styles beyond that basic technique change only in small stylistic ways, and Kathy is knowledgeable in quiet a variety of most musical styles.

With guitar, Kathy focuses on learning to read and play musical notation and chords without using guitar tablature. Again, a variety of musical styles are used for instruction, including everything from classical to punk!

And with piano, Kathy focuses on learning to read and play musical notation as well as mastering scales and chord progressions, inversions, etc. She loves opportunities to combine voice lessons with guitar lessons, or voice lessons with piano lessons, as one instrument feeds into the other in interesting and helpful ways.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I travel with my travel guitar and music for lessons. I expect guitar students to have their own guitar, and piano or voice students to have some sort of keyboard, even a small one.

*** Specialties ***
all-levels voice, beginning guitar, beginning piano
I specialize in a classical voice method, which I believe is a good foundation for all styles of singing. I have experience with classical singing, music theatre (I have a minor from my undergraduate education in Theatre) and folk. I'm an experienced songwriter and am able to guide students in that area.

I teach notes and chords for my guitar students. I don't teach guitar tablature; instead, I teach basic guitar music on the staff.

Also, I teach beginning piano, including basic music theory, note spelling, etc.

ic obviously requires preparation outside of lessons, I consciously avoid asking students to practice. Instead, I incorporate the music and styles that appeal most to the student and use them as vehicles for teaching concepts.

I strive to make learning music fun, regardless of age, style, and ability. I organize an annual recital to showcase my students' talents and hard work.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide all music and instructional materials, and ask that students provide a clean, quiet area to hold our lesson, ideally with a music stand. I also ask that a student provide their own instrument. If providing an instrument is not possible, I ask that the student notify me so I can provide an instrument for them in the interim.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in a wide range of styles on the acoustic and electric guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass.

I explain music theory in a fun, clear, and articulate manner and show its benefits and application in song writing, learning music, and playing by ear. My extensive background in rock, classical, pop, folk, and jazz allows for a truly cater my instruction to my student's tastes.

I make it my mission to structure my lessons on my student's goals and interests and avoid imposing concepts that don't interest my students.

utes such as the "National Guitar Workshop" in New Milford Connecticut.

Jason has been teaching guitar for over ten years.

*** Lesson Details ***
Do you want to raise your level of guitar playing to the next level? Are you a complete beginner and would like to learn the basics like: chords, scales, and how to read music? Do you want to learn music theory? I can teach you all of these things. I am classically trained as well as trained in a wide variety of other genres of music. I am passionate about teaching you what YOU want to learn. I have taught students as young as three years old and as old as sixty! I can teach all levels of players from beginners to advanced . My goal is to find what you most enjoy about guitar playing and music and help you to develop it. I encourage my students to find their musical voice through their own personality, aptitude and individuality.

I teach various methods, which depends on what the student wants to learn. I am a firm believer in building proper technique. This is crucial for the Rock player as well as the Classical player.

*** Studio Equipment ***
lessons in studio with music stand, books, acoustic guitar(s), Electric guitar(s), amplifier, Cords.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide Music, Staff Paper, Music Stands. Will bring travel amp if necessary.

*** Specialties ***
I have experience as well as training in Suzuki method. I have experience teaching Classical/Rock/Metal/Pop/Folk

for just a few people, and in stadiums for 60,000, he believes in not only teaching technique, but also how to tailor a performance for the appropriate situation. It's this combination of technical training, and performance experience, that Steven brings to his classes as a teacher.

*** Lesson Details ***
Voice - emphasizing proper breathing techniques, vocal exercise for improving tone and range, while working on songs (both traditional and popular).

Piano - proper technique, music reading, exercises, basic music theory, and material including popular songs.

Guitar - technique, reading (either standard musical notation and/or tabs), understanding chord charts, finger exercises, while working on learning new songs.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Roland 88 key weighted action keyboard
Full Logic Studio with all instrument samples
Taylor, Breedlove and D'Angelico acoustic guitars
Fender Strat
Guild S100
JBL Monitors

*** Travel Equipment ***
Acoustic and/or electric guitar(s)
Small portable keyboard

g with different rhythms.

Learning theory can be a turn off for some people in the early stages of guitar playing, but as soon as you express interest in understanding why and how the chords in your classic tunes sound so good together, I’m great at explaining to people with all different learning styles. Visual learners, especially, will greatly benefit from the fact that I am a left-handed player. When one righty tries to show another righty something on guitar, the student has to take the extra step of inverting the finger positions being shown to him/her by the teacher. With me, however, our guitars will align in a mirror image. The second you see me play something, it will be much easier to process what I am doing than if you had to flip it.

I have a great deal of experience teaching complete beginners of all ages and find it extremely fulfilling to bring someone who has never held a guitar before the incredible joy and liberation that comes with learning how to play along. Study with me, and you will connect on a much deeper level with the music that you have been listening to your whole life.