English with Andrew S.

Having come to music later in life than most, I find that I am more empathetic to the perspective of the beginning student than many teachers. I spent the Summer of 2009 teaching music fundamentals to groups of severely physically and mentally disabled children of all ages. Since then I've completed my Bachelors degree in Music, taught privately and with several established music schools. To me, music is above all about transformation. Beautiful sound transforms our experience of the environment, and learning an instrument can help students approach life as one big instrument they need to practice to master. Learning to play an instrument is also an experience of training one’s nervous system to gradually act and respond in new ways, and that kind of persistent, focused, training is applicable to any new skill. Last and definitely not least, playing music is fun. *** Lesson Details *** I plan my lessons around getting students to enjoy playing music as soon as possible, whether that means learning how to strum a chord rhythmically, playing their favorite song, or how to take a blues solo. There are steps that have to be climbed to do more complex things and I encourage students to practice a little every day rather than for a long time once or twice a week. Developing a love of music and steady practice habits are more beneficial over the long term than practicing until your limit. *** Studio Equipment *** I currently have a living room space where I can teach, but it's small so it might be preferable to travel to you. *** Travel Equipment *** If necessary I can provide amplification, cables, and a microphone. *** Specialties *** Jazz, Folk, Blues, Rock, Hip-hop, Funk, Reggae.