Songwriting with Amy M.

I was inspired to play the guitar after I saw the movie School of Rock. It wasn't a want - it was a dire need. I needed to play guitar. I was 13 when I got a guitar for Christmas. I started taking lessons and I never looked back. I graduated with Honors from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2012. I studied under some phenomenal teachers and had some of the most incredible experiences including being selected as one of the guitarists for Berklee's annual graduation blowout concert. I think the most important thing when it comes to learning how to play the guitar is to have a rock solid foundation of the basics. Tuning, proper left hand position, basic chords, basic scales, understanding the fretboard, basic picking patterns, basic exercises, basic songs. Once we have built a solid foundation, I like to let you (yes, you, the student) take things in whichever direction you like. Stylistically and otherwise. I'm always here to suggest where we should go, but I like to let you blaze your own trail. There are things we'll need to touch on regardless of where we go such as vibrato, Hammer-Ons, pull-offs, bending, string-skipping, and so on and so forth. We will get to wherever you want to go. It might take some time, but that's alright. I want you to feel good about your playing, and as long as progress is being made, that's really all that matters. *** Lesson Details *** I think the most important thing when it comes to learning how to play the guitar is to have a rock solid foundation of the basics. Tuning, proper left hand position, basic chords, basic scales, understanding the fretboard, basic picking patterns, basic exercises, basic songs. Once we have built a solid foundation, I like to let you (yes, you, the student) take things in whichever direction you like. Stylistically and otherwise. I'm always here to suggest where we should go, but I like to let you blaze your own trail. There are things we'll need to touch on regardless of where we go such as vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bending, string-skipping, and so on and so forth. We will get to wherever you want to go. It might take some time, but that's alright. I want you to feel good about your playing, and as long as progress is being made, that's really all that matters. I have taught students of all ages and have seen 50 year old do just as well as 15 year old. *** Studio Equipment *** Acoustic guitar Electric guitar Dual input amplifier Pedals *** Travel Equipment *** Acoustic guitar Electric guitar Small amplifier (if necessary) *** Specialties *** Styles: rock, blues, pop, funk I like to teach by ear as well as by written notation.