Philadelphia, PA Guitar Lessons

and piano almost daily, for my job. I utilize the guitar and piano to lead group singing or group instrumental play - I know a plethora of preschool songs because of this :) In addition, I use the guitar to lead and/or support a leader in a church worship team.

One of my favorite musical experiences is improvisation - I love the opportunities to create new sounds and new musical elements to what might already exist.

If you are looking for an opportunity to learn the basics, to learn CLASSICAL, BLUES, FOLK, in addition, to improvisation, then I am the teacher for you!

As a teacher, I employ my skills as a music therapist and I will always try to meet you where you are at and be sensitive to your needs, however, I will always push to the next limit - to encourage growth and development. I am a big believer in teamwork and view my teaching style within this.

*** Lesson Details ***
In the beginning, I focus on the basics - with the flute stance, breathing, tonguing, hand position, and rhythm. For the guitar, relaxed fret grip, relaxed hand positions, strumming and picking techniques, and rhythm.

As we progress, I build upon these basics - Scales, Triads, Songs or Song Shells, more involved techniques - various tonguing abiltiies, further development of strumming and picking techniques - use of the capo.

Finally, I believe in the ability to demonstrate your knowledge, wherever it develops, so encourage students to participate in an arts celebration two times a year (not mandatory, just a recommendation). Here we will cover performance etiquette and playing through nerves and so on.

*** Studio Equipment ***
music/office room, parents have room to wait

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect students to buy their own music books, metronome (when the time comes) and to purchase their own instruments.
Initially, I will provide books, hand outs, metronome, tuner and a stand

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Blues, Rock - always exploring the jazz genre

r you want to learn how to play your favorite songs or write a masterpiece of your own, I will help give you the tools to make your musical dreams come true.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music teaching room, amps, stands, effects pedals

*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues, R&B, Latin, Country, theory, improvisation, reading, learning songs, ear training, grooving and HAVING FUN.

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.

Princeton ProMusica.

*** Lesson Details ***
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Teaching fundamental musicianship skills are crucial to becoming a skilled musician. Not only will I be teaching Voice, Piano, and Beginning Acoustic Guitar, I will also be teaching Music Theory, and how to properly read music. I expect all students to develop the necessary skills and drive to succeed. I have an array of music books for classical and contemporary sheet music for all ages and levels. Students should incorporate practicing into daily routines for a minimum of 30 mins 4 days a week. Students will be provided with a weekly practice log that will be check at each lesson. Students should be progressing each lesson and will be provided with the necessities to do so! I want ALL of my students to have fun and enjoy learning!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Full keyboard, acoustic guitar, and an array of Voice, Piano and Guitar music and books. Students are expected to be prepared with notebooks and pencils.

*** Specialties ***
Piano
Classical and Musical Theatre for Voice
Beginning Acoustic Guitar

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.

student from the beginner level to the intermediate level in percussion/drum set (my primary instrument in high school and college).

As I begin to wind down my career as a public school teacher, I very much would love to build a solid career as a private music instructor. I believe that I have much to offer in this field, from my experiences spanning over three decades!