Chester, PA Songwriting Lessons

nterested in lessons please feel free to contact me.

's degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The master's program was an intense submersion in music performance that shaped me into the musician that I am today. I was lucky to study with Don Glanden, Mike Kennedy, and Kevin Hanson.
I am also well versed in computer recording software and DAWs. I teach students how to use software programs such as Logic and Reason as well as notation software like Sibelius and Finale. With some basic training in these programs, I can teach a student how to effectively record and produce professional quality recordings so that a student can write, record, and produce their own music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Because I've studied with some legendary teachers who have taught some legendary students (like John Mayer), I'm able to pass on to my students the same knowledge that these incredible teachers passed on to me. I guarantee that I will be unlike any guitar teacher that you've had before. Along with instrumental training, I offer extensive lessons in music theory and ear training. My family is full of educators and I've experienced the teacher-student relationship from a young age. I am fully committed to developing lesson plans based on the route that a student wants to take, whether it's just learning the basics and playing along to your favorite songs or engaging in serious study and preparing for college auditions. I am available to teach at any location within the Philadelphia area.

*** Stylistic Focus ***
I specialize in jazz and blues. At Berklee, I was able to take instrumental labs that spent an entire semester focusing on the playing style of certain guitarists. I've taken the Wes Montgomery lab, the Pat Martino lab, the Jimi Hendrix lab, the John Scofield lab, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan lab.

tes toward straightforward rock, blues and folk.

Scott's guitar playing and songwriting has landed him features from American Songwriter, CMT, and more. He holds a BFA in Studio/Composition, with a minor in Jazz Performance, from SUNY Purchase in Purchase, NY.

Scott is currently on faculty in the Music Industry department at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.

*** Lesson Details ***

When studying with Scott, students can expect a comfortable and fun atmosphere that promotes experimentation and positive reinforcement. Employing a curriculum that is equal parts formal technique and informal playing of the students favorite music, Scott makes every lesson engaging and exciting for his students.

After 3 to 6 months studying with Scott, beginners should expect to be able to play many of their favorite songs, have a firm grasp on basic scales, chords, theory and sight reading, and can even begin writing their own songs and improvising solos!

If you're already an intermediate/advanced player, Scott will push you to find your unique voice on the guitar, and tap into advanced techniques and approaches that will help you fully realize all that the guitar has to offer.

Lessons are tailored to each individual student's particular interests and abilities. Wherever you want to take your guitar playing, Scott will get you there and beyond!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will bring an acoustic guitar with me. My student must only have a guitar of their own of any kind. If it's electric, an amp is preferable, but not necessary.

*** Specialties ***
Music, Guitar, Bass, Theory, Song Writing, Composition, Improvisation, Sight Reading, Advanced Harmonic and Rhythmic Concepts, Group Playing
I am schooled in Jazz, but have a passion for all styles, including rock, blues, country, funk, folk, punk, and world music.

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.

z and Friends, (Marriage of Figaro/ Count Almaviva and Fidelio/ Solo Prisoner), A Touch of Classics (La Boheme/ Schaunard), Center UpCity Opera Theater (Un Ballo in Maschera/ Samuel), the Germantown Oratorio Choir (Messiah), the Sacred Music Series of St. Paul’s in Doylestown (Messiah and Creation) and was also the Baritone soloist for the Verdi Band of Norristown during their 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Matthew is the leader of a professional quartet, The Clarion Voices (www.clarionvoices.com), specializing in A Capella Music of a wide range of musical styles. He also performs recitals in area universities and churches with his Celebration of Song both solo and with Soprano and piano, featuring some of his original compositions. He continues to be a 'ringer' for numerous area choral groups including Vox-Amadeus and since 2011 as part of the Professional Quartet at Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwynne. Matthew was also the music director for the Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church for two years in 2007 and 2008. Matthew is also a freelance trombonist professionally and a composer of classical music.

had shared stages with guitarist John Scofield, Singer Ike Willis (Frank Zappa Band), Medeski Martin and Wood and The Disco Biscuits among countless others.

C. has completed a Master of Arts in music education as well as Bachelor of Music in bass performance. Michael is qualified to teach on bass, upright bass, guitar, drums, piano, voice and a rare instrument called steel pan (steel drum) among others. Michael performs as a freelance musician. He can be found performing regularly at private parties and events around the greater Philadelphia area. He has performed playing most styles and genres of music. Among these styles are Pop, R & B, Blues, Hip Hop, Jazz, Calypso, Flamenco, Latin, Pop, Musical Theater and Rock & Roll.

C. is a trained professional and prefers to cater his lessons to the individual need of each student. He believes that each student is unique and will encounter challenges in their own manner. Michael likes to supplement his lessons using musical interests of the student. C. has been known to arrange popular pieces for recital performances for his students. Some of the pieces he has arranged for his students include Something in the Way She Moves (Beetles), Long distance Run Around (The Who), Iron Man (Black Sabbath), That' €™s What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction), Hall of Fame (The Script) among many more. Michael encourages his students to use the music they love to challenge their ability and cognitive processes. Michael has the experience and training required to inspire and motivate you to become successful not only in music but in your daily endeavors.

*** Lesson Details ***
Michael has over twelve years experience teaching music and chooses to cater his lessons to the goals of his clients. He does not follow a set curriculum because different students tend to have different goals and expectations.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Logic Pro X, Reason, Fast Track pro audio, Double Bass, Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, Acoustic guitar, Electric Guitar, Flute, Sax, Clarinet, trumpet, Electric basses, Steel Pans (drums), etc.

Audio recordings of each lesson are free of charge and available upon request. C. is capable of creating demos and audio recordings as well as audio production of original material.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Laptop, Guitars, PA system, Basses, Metronome, Method Books, etc.

*** Specialties ***
Steel Pan lessons are available. Access to a steel pan(drum) is a requirement for this specialty.

ths in themselves to live a fulfilling life through their instrument.

***Lesson Details***

We create daily, weekly, and monthly goals for you to achieve.

Guitar: After 3 to 6 months of learning with me, you will have a basic knowledge of chords, how to read musical notation, strumming patterns and basic rhythms. Most importantly, you will have learned 3 or 4 songs of your choice so that you can experience the joy of expressing yourself through music.
To achieve these results, you must be willing to practice 20-30 minutes a day most days each week.

***Specialties***

I specialize in teaching students to learn to play by ear and improvise songs based on their tastes, style, and ability level. I also walk students through how to write and record semi-professional quality songs with drums, vocals, guitar, and piano. Music genres I cover are mainly Pop, Pop/Rock, Folk, Blues Rock, Classic Rock, Alternative, and Classical (piano only)

*** Studio Equipment ***

I provide a comfortable, quiet room with live instruments, and playback and recording equipment. I expect students to bring a guitar, books, sheet music, picks, and a tuner.
Instruments:
1. Taylor Acoustic Guitar
--picks, tuner, and capo
2. Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
-- Marshall 100W Amplifier
-- Classic Cry Baby Wah Effects Pedal
3. Casio PX-310 Weighted 88-Key Piano Keyboard

Playback and Recording:
1. MacBook Pro OSX 10.10.3 13-inch screen
- Insignia 27W Speakers with subwoofer
- Garageband
2. Steinberg UR-22 Recording Interface
3. Audio-technica M30 Headphones
4. Sterling Audio ST51 Black Condenser Microphone

*** Travel Equipment *** (same as above except for piano)

dents to take creative risks, to be expressive, and above all, to play with joy! All students have the opportunity to share their progress with family and friends during fun, low-stress, semi-annual recitals. (Participation is optional but highly encouraged!)

Teaching Materials:
I use the Faber and Faber Piano Adventures books as a foundation, but also incorporate other music, including classical, pop and theatre music, depending upon student interest and what I feel will best help my students to stretch and grow! Students are also welcome to request pieces they would like to learn; I will do my best to find or create an arrangement that's appropriate to your current skill level.

Collingswood Home Studio -- Equipment:
Grand Piano
Guitar, ukulele
Microphone and amp
Recording device

Specialties:
Piano, Guitar, Songwriting, Classical, Musical Theater, Pop, Rock, Music Theory, Composition & Songwriting, Songwriting, Guitar Accompaniment, Piano Accompaniment, Performance, Business of Music.

Bio:
Allison has had considerable success as both a touring singer songwriter and composer for film, TV, and theater. She has shared the stage with Petra Haden, Rachael Sage, Fred Armisen, Lelia Broussard and many others. Songs from her most recent record, Sweet and Vicious, have been heard on Lifetime's Dance Moms, NBC's Late Night with Carson Daly, as well as shows on PBS, Bravo, Oxygen and TLC. As a composer, she was nominated for an EMMY and received a Telly Award for the music she composed for the documentary 5000 Miles from Home. Most recently, she composed music for the indie romantic comedy Get Happy, which premiered at the 2015 Manhattan FilmFestival. After many years in New York City, she now resides in Collingswood, New Jersey with her family.

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.