Music Performance with Brian A.

I have a lot of experience teaching and playing. My lessons will be extremely organized and will vary from music theory to improvisation to learning songs. I can also teach sight reading, or classical or jazz guitar, if students desire this. I have most experience teaching kids when I was at Portman's music and then AMR Music later. I have taught adults as well. I feel weird writing about myself and if you have any questions get into touch with me. Thanks. *** Lesson Details *** Guitar started out for me as something that was fun. That's how I want it to be for my students. I understand if you had school and you couldn't have practiced as much as you like. I had those days when I was younger. I try to build technique through a mixture of songs and exercises. When teaching improvisation (how to make up guitar solos) I try to get students to start playing using a little theory. As students progress I'll teach new concepts that will make your playing sound more mature. When I taught I learned that every student was different and that in order to be an effective teacher I had to learn the student. I'm certainly willing to help the student achieve their goals, but I will also introduce areas of concentration that will improve musicianship. In my experience sometimes students were not immediately receptive though I could almost always see a change in attitude and musicianship. *** Studio Equipment *** Music stand, chairs and amplifier, acoustic guitar or electric, computer for materials, parents can sit in, keurig coffee maker for parents or students of age *** Travel Equipment *** This would depend on the student but would most likely be an acoustic guitar. I may bring a computer or backing tracks, relevant books etc. I would expect to be compensated for gas. I believe TakeLessons already includes this. *** Specialties *** I have been playing rock/blues the longest so I feel most comfortable teaching those styles. I also have an extremely strong music theory background. Music theory is dangerous territory. You don't want to put someone in a stick shift when they only know how to drive an automatic. Music is a language and the key is to introduce theory where students speak the language then increase the presence of theory as students progress. The best players are able to combine right and left brain. You don't want to play like a robot but theory will open doors. I also have enough experience to prepare someone who wants to study music at the collegiate level for an audition; be it classical or jazz. As someone who has experienced music and academia I could also offer insight into what it gives you and what it doesn't.