Guitar with Etan H.

I have been both a performer and dedicated teacher in the NYC and NJ area for over 14 years. I began playing music at the age of 8 years old, studying classical piano until I was 13. From there, I picked up guitar and started to immerse myself with rock, folk, classical, and jazz music. I eventually attended William Patterson University where I earned a BA in Jazz Performance, and then decided to move to NYC and pursue my career as a performer and educator. Upon moving to the city, I attended the American Institute of Guitar where I studied classical guitar for 5 years with world renowned guitarist Yasha Koffman. Currently, I am teaching and performing in the greater NJ and NYC areas, and have performed with notable figures such as Steve LaSpina, James Williams, Tyshawn Sorey, and Yasha Koffman. *** Lesson Details *** After teaching for 14+ years of teaching, I have developed a teaching style that is unique in that I approach each student’s progress on an individual basis. Musically speaking, I am able to identify what is holding the student back and take necessary steps to move forward in a constructive and supportive way that will inspire you to continually grow as a musician. The first thing I want to accomplish in my lessons is to get the student excited about playing music in general. That means understanding what kind of music the student likes to listen to and incorporate it into the lessons. I find that relating ear training, theory, reading, technique, and rhythmic study to the music that they are interested in is a great way to do that. CLASSICAL GUITAR INSTRUCTION: We will focus on a variety of topics including right and left hand technique, proper body position, sound production and tone, reading, repertoire, and finding your own personal musical voice with regards to playing classical music. JAZZ GUITAR INSTRUCTION: We will cover jazz theory, chord shapes, scales, repertoire, and transcription. Jazz is an oral tradition and I am a firm believer that the best way to learn it is through listening/transcribing and applying those concepts on your instrument. We will draw inspiration and knowledge from great jazz musicians of the past in addition to finding your own personal voice as an improviser in jazz music. TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN: I have lot of experience teaching young children (as young as 5 years old). For these children, I like to focus on the basic foundations of music (e.g. rhythm, melody, etc.). We will use a variety of tools (rhythm sticks, guitar books for children, singing) to enrich these early foundations in music, in addition to learning to get over the physical demands of learning to play the guitar. *** Frequency Requirement *** Students are required to take lessons at least once per week in order to insure consistent progress and ongoing assessment. Lessons given every other week are not offered. *** Studio Equipment *** Living room set up. Chairs. Music stands. Guitars. Music. Seating for parents. *** Please note, there is no piano in studio. If you are interested in piano lessons, only in home lessons are available. *** Travel Equipment *** I usually provide guitar picks if needed, photocopies of materials (mel bay, chord charts, etc.). I require my students to have the instruments that they will be taking lessons on and a notebook to write in. *** Specialties *** Piano lessons are in students' homes only! I cover music theory, application of music theory, technique, ear training, sight reading, and repertoire building. I teach a variety of styles including classical, jazz, rock, folk and blues.