Ambler, PA Guitar Lessons

Education

Ian's musical training began with piano at 7, saxophone at 9, self-taught guitar at 11, and finally electric and acoustic bass in high school. He was awarded scholarships to Philadelphia's Settlement Music School and the Berklee College of Music. Finally settling in NYC, Ian completed his B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music at the New School School for Social Research in 2000. Ian has recently completed his PA Teacher Certification K-12 from Temple University 2011.

Why study music with Ian?

Quite simply Ian is a fun, creative, open-minded, and experienced teacher/musician who teaches a wide genre of music styles. He simply loves all music. Jazz, Classical, Funk/R&B, Rock, Metal, and Country are all within the expertise of Ian's vocabulary. Ian teaches with the same intensity and passion that he performs with. Ian truly cares about teaching each and every student the best way he knows.

*** Lesson Details ***
Ian's lessons are a combination of goals set by himself and the student. Whether you aspire to be the next rock god in 3 months or to just play casually with your friends at the next barbecue, Ian is there to understand your musical goals. Every student is different therefore Ian accommodates his style and methods to each the individual. Old-school rigidity are not what Ian is about. Rather, Ian dips from both the traditions of the past and new techniques of today.

Topics Covered

Technique, Song Performance, Harmony, Rhythm, and Music Theory are all important components covered in the lesson plan. Sight reading standard music notation is encouraged but not necessary. Rhythm notation is a mandatory skill every musician must know and is taught from the beginning. Song choices can be tailored to the students tastes however Ian seems fit. Ian has no problem teaching anything from the Jonas Brothers to Jimi Hendrix.

Improvisation, Groove, and Ear Training are areas of special interest and study which can also be taught to enhance a students studies.

Students skills and goals are assessed every few months to ensure student and teacher are on a clear and steady path. Everything from major and minor scales to song retention is logged down to provide a means of assessment.

Practice

As both a teacher and playing musician, Ian honestly believes that it
takes a combination of 20% talent and 80% sweat/hard work to be a successful and
competent musician. Therefore a set practice time length is agreed upon
between Ian and the student to which the student must stick to a practice schedule as
best as he or she can. Learning not just "what to practice" but "how to practice" is an important skill that is acquired through patience, hard work, and repetition. Ian can show you the skills it takes to master the "Art Of Practice".

Lesson Length

Lesson times of 30 minutes and 45 minutes are recommended for beginning students.

60 minutes for intermediate to more advanced students

*** Studio Equipment ***
Casio 88-key weighted keyboard
Fender Telecaster Guitar
Fender Precision Bass
Kolstein Upright Bass
Vintage Ampeg Bass and Guitar Amplifiers
Fostex 8-track Digital Recorder

*** Travel Equipment ***
I always have a bass or guitar on hand , a metronome, CDs, iPod, and music manuscript.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Classical, Jazz, Rock, R&B, and Funk on Upright Bass and Electric Bass.
I teach Beginning and Intermediate Level Piano and Guitar in Classical, Rock, and Popular Music Styles.

work with, and learn from a lot of different musicians. (The Recording Academy is the organization that created the most prestigious
award in music, the Grammy). I am the band leader at my church Montco Bible Fellowship. I have experience as an audio tech in the studio and for a live stage, and have consulted for organizations looking to setup a sound system/studio. I enjoy recording my own music in my home studio, and learning to play new instruments. I hope to pass my love for music to the next generation!

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a very laid back instructor... as you will find out! I understand that not everyone learns at the same rate; however, I am a perfectionist and don't allow students to advance until they have learned a particular skill. I would rather a student take forever to learn a song, and practice it with good technique, than be able to play it right away with poor form and posture! I reinforce the value of working toward goals and celebrate with students when they reach them.  I understand that every student has different interests and reasons for wanting to learn an instrument... I try to focus on the areas that are of interest to the student, because a student who is enjoying themself will excel.  This does not mean that the subjects and skills that are not of interest will not be taught, because I also believe in being a well-rounded musician. I teach both jazz (theory/improvisation) and classical (composed) music.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio is currently not optimal for teaching... I hope to change this soon!!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide lesson books and other learning materials, but expect to be reimbursed. I expect the student to have their own instrument/equipment. Piano students are required to have a piano or a keyboard with 88 weighted keys (hammer-action), a piano bench and a pedal. Guitar/bass students must have an acoustic/electric guitar/bass with a strap or footstool, pick, and cable and amplifier if applicable! Digital audio students must have their own computer, Digital Audio workstation (software), digital audio interface, speakers/headphones and midi controller. ALL STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE A NOTEBOOK (college rule or staff)!!

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical and jazz piano! I am more than proficient at most production software including: reason, fl studio, ableton live... and other editing software such as sony sound forge, audacity, etc...

ous students I love theory and love sharing what I've discovered over the years.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm a very laid back guy but I take my playing seriously. music is my life and there's nothing I enjoy sharing and expressing more. I learned to love playing guitar when I was 12 from the coolest guitar teacher ever. he had a vibe that i gravitated toward and encouraged me in just the right ways to get me believing in myself. I try to encourage my students the same way. music should be fun above all and sculpt my lessons to each students individual needs so that they are better equipped to succeed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect them to provide guitar/bass/piano

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Rock, Blues, Classic, Pop

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.

test virtues of a music teacher are passion, patience, understanding, and communicating. You will experience this in the studio. Give yourself a treat of two months of lessons and I promise you will be playing and/or singing better than you expected.

Member of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs),
NJFMC (NJ Fed. of Music Clubs). MENC (Music Ed National Conference),

*** Lesson Details ***
I am generally easy going and laid-back and will work with you to obtain specific goals such as a piece you would really like to learn. I can be strict if assignments are not followed or if there is no progression; we need to analyze why that is. I use many teaching methods as there are many different learning styles. The series I am currently using are Faber, Alfred, and Celebrate Piano! for pianists. Many singers are in Broadway, Disney, and/or English Reliquary and Italian Arias. There are so many wonderful choices! I can guarantee after three months you will be playing some music you like, and you will be reading music, and able to perform if you wish (starting small). With singing you will have basic knowledge of proper posture, breathing, and increased range. I also so enjoy people and communicating so you will feel comfortable taking lessons, and I believe that is one major factor of success in learning an instrument: the student-teacher relationship And second for children, especially the young, is the parent-teacher relationship .

*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio: Yamaha baby grand piano, Kawaii studio upright and keyboard, Yamaha keyboard, recording abilities, computer software, couch and two chairs, parents can sit in on lesson. Also have computer programs for note learning, composition, as well as giving you apps to download.

*** Specialties ***
Different methods for different students. Piano: mostly Faber and Alfred series. "Prodigy": Aaron/Thompson series. I've also had graduate study in teaching the Adult Beginner! As I was a church music director 1994 till last September, I am very familiar with traditional and contemporary sacred music, learning and performing. If you also wish to combine singing and accompanying yourself on piano or guitar lessons can be tailored.

itar tab
- songs and pieces in a variety of styles
- fretboard knowledge
- scales and arpeggios
- lead guitar playing
- technique
- chords of all types
- finger picking, and pick style
- music theory
- ear training and solfege
- memorizing music
- interpretation and expression
- phrasing
- musicianship
- songwriting

t they have experience playing with other musicians and other styles of music.

guitar and have performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as well as done concerts in the USA, Italy, and the UK.
I have experience playing in many different bands in many styles including: Rock, Reggae, African, Blues, and Jazz groups.

SUZUKI METHOD: I am trained and certified in the Suzuki Guitar Method and spent 3 years teaching Suzuki in studio with children as young as 5. This involves a significant parent-teacher-student commitment and regularly yields impressive results.

ON TALENT: I agree with Shin-ichi Suzuki that talent is irrelevant and a myth. I believe that the potential of all my students are the same but they come to me with various starting skills levels and all learn at a very different pace. I believe that the myth of “talent” really just means that the individual has had a long exposure to music. This is why I emphasize critical listening in my lessons. If you have a large knowledge of music and sounds in your head it makes it easier to make connections and better assess your ideas.