Music Performance with Benjamin M.

Hello Future Students! Whether you want to pursue a Musical Career or simply learn how to Play your Favorite Tunes for friends and family, I am here as your Teacher and Guide. I teach at Home, at the Student's Home and through the use of Skype or Zoom. Masks are worn as needed. Originally from Ann Arbor, I spent a decade in NYC as well as Chicago. Those experiences vastly helped me develop Networking, Performance and Teaching experience. As a Father of four, I have had the joy in teaching my own children Guitar, Saxophone, Songwriting, Composition and Keyboard. As a parent I have found that Patience and Encouragement is often the best form of support. It has been proven that learning Music helps develop intuition, self-awareness, and social skills as well as improve in other subjects not directly related to the arts such as Mathematics and Science. One of the most important aspects of playing Music is being able to Play by Ear. This has been a priceless gift that I was born with and have developed throughout my life. I encourage all musicians, young and old, to do the same. The use of simple Rhythmic Dictation and Ear Training exercises can do wonders for "picking out" Beats and Harmonies no matter what genre we are interested in. I attended music courses at The Boston School of Contemporary Music and Thomas Jefferson College (MI). I have a BA at Columbia College Chicago double majoring in Music Composition and English . My band THIRD BORDER's "Sun of Water; Sea of Light" was selected to be nominated for the Grammy's as The Best Alternative Album of the Year in 2006. On this record, I played Guitar, Saxophone, sang Lead Vocal and wrote all the Songs. If you are a Songwriter, we can polish up your approach. As a Composer, I have worked with Sound Design for Film, Dance, Spoken Word and Multi-media Performance -- most notably with the acclaimed poet Anne Carson and former members of The Merce Cunningham Dance Co. I also formed and composed two symphonies for my 12-member saxophone orchestra based in NYC. I hope to hear from you soon!! Benjamin *** Lesson Details *** My teaching style is relaxed with a forte on Patience and Encouragement. Though I have specific expectations on what needs to be learned, I gear each lesson towards the student's wishes and their personal direction in Creativity. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, I can guide you wherever you are headed! For Guitar (acoustic or electric), you will learn the fundamentals of Music Theory, Chord Structure, varied Strumming and Picking Techniques, and Scale Positions to travel from one part of the neck to the other. Any song you wish to learn, I can teach! For Saxophone, you will learn proper Embouchure technique, Notation, Music Theory, and Scale Patterns for improvisation. Whether you are interested in a Classical, Blues, Funk or Jazz approach, I can help you find your own sound that is both personal and professional. Though I am not a Pianist per say, I can teach 2nd year Piano and fundamentals on Drums. *** Studio Equipment *** At Home Studio: music stands, metronome, guitar amps, electric and acoustic guitars, guitar tablature, staff music paper, a scanner for weekly homework. I can also record and send MP3s of our lessons to review at home if you wish. *** Travel Equipment *** Students will need their own instrument, a mutually chosen music book to learn from, a metronome, and hopefully easy access to a keyboard (very helpful!) *** Specialties *** I am fluent in Rock genres, Blues, Beginning Jazz, Beginning Classical technique, Prepared Guitar, Electronics/Sound Art.