Private Blues Guitar tutoring lessons Bay Village, OH.

me at school and home. My dad was a piano player and teacher so music has been a part of my life since day one and I want to share what I have learned. Everyone has a unique musical talent and I enjoy helping them find it. I believe that anyone can be an excellent musician. Playing an instrument should be a fun and creative adventure. Whether it's strumming at home, playing out in the clubs, or writing the next big hit, I will do my best to get you there!

My musical life began when I was in 5th grade and my dad bought me a saxophone, which I played for over 12 years. I quickly learned how fast I could improve if I simply kept playing with focus. When I hit my teen years I fell in love with rock music and mowed enough lawns to buy my first guitar. I jammed and wrote songs with many other musicians and several bands over the years. We played countless shows and released a few albums. Now I write and produce music and sound design daily for TV, Film and Trailers for companies like Disney, Universal, MTV, NFL and many more.

I started teaching 11 years ago and found that it is one of my favorite things to do. Helping others grow into great musicians is rewarding and fun. I've learned that from grade school to retirement, each student is a unique and special individual. My lessons reflect that fact so that we can reach all your goals together. *My personal goal is to get my students to understand and write music that will stay with them and encourage them to continue."

All lessons take place in a fully operational Digital Recording Studio and dedicated lesson room. Gaining real world playing experience with current technology is a definite advantage over traditional lessons. This also allows the student to capture ideas when songwriting and provides a unique playing experience. Imagine looking back years down the line, listening to something you wrote and hearing the improvements and your own personal music history. That's what writing and recording as you learn is all about.

*** Lesson Details ***
Everyone is different, and every lesson should be suited to fit the individual. Depending on the type of lessons (guitar, bass, music production, theory, etc.) the style teaching will be adjusted to fit. It's all about YOUR goals and needs.

Each student is going to receive lessons based on their preferences of genre and style of music they desire to play. I expect my students to practice regularly and have a good time as their abilities and knowledge grow. By working together, we can focus on goals and problem solving to get you to the next level of play. Most importantly, we are going to have a blast while we learn to play music!

*We'll start slow and build your knowledge base with each lesson.
*You can expect to understand what you are playing AND be able to write your own music is desired.
*You will be given everything you'll need to succeed including custom made drums and songs to play with so you can improve at home.

Let's start learning and improving today!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Fender Telecaster
Fender J Bass
Schecter 7 String
Schecter 6 string Hellraiser
Italia Modena Electric gtr
Danelectro U2
Peavey T60
Seagull Acoustic
Saxophone
Tambourine
Egg shaker
Line 6 Spider amp
Vox Valvetronix amp
Novation X-station
KRK Rokit monitors
Alesis monitors
Presonus monitor station
Shure SM57
GT55 Condenser
Ableton Live Suite 9
Guitar Rig 5
Superior Drummer
Dozens of Virtual Instruments
Music stand
Guitar stands
Mic stands

*** Travel Equipment ***
I currently do not travel. My studio is the #1 advantage for learning!

*** Specialties ***
*Instruments: Guitar & Bass -Rock, Blues, Metal, Indy, Folk and Americana styles.
*Production: Ableton Live, Recording, Mixing, Mastering, Programming, Virtual Inst, MIDI, Production, Sound Design.
*General Music: Theory, Songwriting, Producing.

ers.

Because of my experience and educational background, I am able to help my students learn what they "need to know" in order to play the songs they want to play. Students will benefit from my unique teaching methods. I won't waste any time learning things that don't apply to your personalized objectives. You tell me what you want to be able to do and I will teach you what you need to know to get there. I have a easy going personality and a user friendly teaching style tailored to the students individual needs.

Here is some more information about my experience and educational background.

I've been a working musician almost my entire adult life. I'm performing around 60 gigs a year in three different bands. Each band I perform in is different and unique. I also perform from time to time as a soloist. When one dedicates their life to music the way that I have, it's not hard to find work. I have more work than I need. I love playing music so much that I now do it for the pure enjoyment. It's really difficult to do all the music I enjoy playing with just one band, that is why I play in three.

I’m am a student of the guitar as well as a teacher. You never stop learning. I'm also a Husband, Father, Son, and yes a grandfather.

Here is a little about my musical background. I started teaching guitar lessons to a few students in my home in 1978. Wow can’t believe it was that long ago. That led me to teaching private guitar lessons at two different music stores as well as guitar class for an adult continuing education program. After a run of 15 years and graduation with a Masters degree in Adult Learning and Development I became a serious student of the guitar studying around the country and in Canada. During this entire time I performed as a working musician in several bands. I am also a singer and songwriter. In 2017 my band Canyon Wind released our 3rd Album of all original music. I wrote or co-wrote all the songs.

*** Lesson Details ***
I can teach a student how to:
Read music and tablature
Form and play chords needed to play songs
Music Theory and ear training
Good Timing
Proper right and left hand technique
Both Lead and Rhythm techniques
Acoustic and Electric guitar
And I can help the experienced player break bad playing habits and advance to higher levels of playing.
I like to incorporate visual and audio aide as well as demonstration when I teach.
I use all or part of these teaching methods and more in order to enhance the learning experience. I always base my instruction on the needs, abilities and goals of the student..

*** Studio Equipment ***
Basement studio w/ guitar, amps, keyboard, pa system, vocal microphones and seating for parents

*** Specialties ***
Country, Blues, Light Jazz, Classic Rock, Motown, Soul, Bluegrass. Acoustic and/or Electric guitar and Ukulele.

The Ukulele is a unique instrument and it's amazing how easy it is to play when you've developed great technique the way I have by playing the guitar. So if you're a guitar player and would like to branch out on the Ukulele I can show you how.
Right and left hand technique is so important. I spend a lot of time making sure you develop great technique. It's amazing how many guitar students come to me with bad technique. I can help you clean up your playing by developing proper technique.

I can teach people how to play both "Lead and Rhythm Guitar, Soloing, Chords, strumming patterns, chord progressions, and a little finger picking. I teach how to use a plectrum, which is also called a pick. I'm primarily a flat picker when playing lead guitar and I love strumming away at playing rhythm. Learning how to play lead guitar is fun but when you think about it 90% of most tunes is made up of playing rhythm. It's so important to learn how to be a great rhythm player. In a band they call it playing in the pocket. but if you are a soloist supporting your own singing or in a duo where you are accompanying a vocalist playing solid rhythm is a great skill to have under your fingertips.

If you write your own music I can teach you music theory. You want to learn how to write your own music. I can guide you and teach you how to develop song structure, hooks and great melody lines to your tunes.

On the guitar most guitar players play by ear but if you desire to learn how to read music I can show you. I coach both singing and playing as well as preparing for performance. Both on vocals and guitar. I have never had just a vocal student but I encourage students to sing while they play. So if that is there desire I can help. I'll show you how to play guitar scales you can use for vocal exercises. While studying voice at Baldwin Wallace I learned how to play the vocal exercises my teacher was showing me on guitar. I can pass this knowledge on to you.

If you play in a band, or desire to play as a duo or soloist. I have the experience to guide you along your path. There is an art playing with others that can't be overlooked. If that is the direction you want to take your in good hands with my guidance.

Some of my students just want to play in the comfort of their own home. Maybe only with their dog or their significant other listening. They find great joy in doing this and have no desire to ever really perform in public. And that is GREAT! When you break it down to the least common denominator, we do this for the love of music. I love music and the joy it brings to my life. You can experience the same joy that I have so why not let me help you? Let's face it.... is there really a better instrument to learn than the guitar? From my perspective there is not. And it's never too late to start.

merican music. The better you understand and are able to play it, the more options you will have created for yourself musically. Once you've gained confidence playing the blues, I'll introduce informal jazz. For more information about my curriculum, you may review my published articles on TakeLesson's Teacher Blog. Please note that I'm available to teach both in-person and online: http://takelessons.com/blog/learning-guitar-without-sheet-music http://takelessons.com/blog/reasons-to-learn-guitar-scales http://takelessons.com/blog/beginner-guitars http://takelessons.com/blog/blues-chord-progressions http://takelessons.com/blog/best-guitar-solos http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-barre-chords http://takelessons.com/blog/learning-guitar-styles http://takelessons.com/blog/expand-your-guitar-solos http://takelessons.com/blog/maximize-acoustic-guitar-lifespan http://takelessons.com/blog/are-you-ready-to-play-guitar-solos http://takelessons.com/blog/blues-guitar-exercise http://takelessons.com/blog/writing-a-song-on-guitar-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/writing-a-song-on-guitar-lyrics-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-tips-for-open-mic-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/preparing-for-bluegrass-guitar-lessons-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/2-simple-tricks-to-play-country-guitar-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-write-a-jazz-guitar-song-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/famous-guitar-players-who-are-not-virtuosos-z01 http://takelessons.com/blog/5-jazz-guitar-licks-z01

e more about a student realizing the positive force that music can be in their lives; music doesn't need to be a stressor.
I graduated from Belmont University in the Spring of 2018 with a degree in Commercial Music, so I have had the "conservatory training" in regards to theory, and music history, but before college I was largely a self taught player and am now a professionally performing musician here in Nashville. My primary goal with any student will be first to help a student achieve their goals, but ultimately to teach each student to think for themselves on their instruments so that they can go on learning for the rest of their lives.

s well. Looking forward to meeting you and making music!

ed the Legendary Shack Shakers and toured in support of their release “After You’ve gone” and appears in the official video for the song “Sing a worried song” from the album. In 2018, he toured with JD Wilkes and The legendary Shack Shakers in support of the release “Fire Dream”, in addition to more touring Europe with Pere Ubu.

House of Blues in Disneyland, University of California Irvine and many other camps across the country helping young musicians learn how to work together in an ensemble and perform. With his own progressive rock band Giantess and other local Chicago funk-jazz bands such as Waxworks, Sunny Apollo, and Friends of the Program he has performed regularly at venues like Buddy Guy’s Legends, Kingston Mines, Navy Pier, Tonic Room, Moe’s Tavern, Elbo Room, Reggie’s Rock Club and the House of Blues as well as performing all three days at the 2013 Chicago Blues Fest. In recent years, he has been an extremely active teacher around the Chicago-land area both in the city and the western suburbs as a private guitar, bass, and keyboard instructor as well as an ensemble director for Stonegrove Guitar, School of Rock Oak Park & DuPage, and also Flatts & Sharpe Music Company in Rogers Park & Norwood Park. As both a private instructor and ensemble director, he focuses on helping students build a relationship with music through a variety of teaching methods including a classical approach of learning by sight reading if needed, as well as incorporating learning popular music styles and any type of songs for a well-rounded music education experience that helps students start playing right away. Most recently, Raleigh has just returned to Chicago from a six month composition apprenticeship with Berlin-based composer and acclaimed guitarist, Markus Reuter. During the six months, he studied complex practice techniques for multiple instruments as well as an intensive course in generative composition and modern improvisational theory.