Guitar with James H.

I was born into a musical family and grew up in N.Y.C. This included my father who was a guitar teacher,composer and band leader,my grandfather who was a violin maker and my great aunts who performed Hungarian Folk Music on the zither,violin,mandolin and guitar for President Roosevelt at the White House. I was exposed at a young age to the art of guitar teaching as I "tagged along" to my father's private lessons. This gave me a great foundation on which to build my own unique guitar teaching style. Musical performance has also been a part of my life ever since I first played the ukulele and sang at a wedding when I was only six years old. My experiences in performance also include playing rhythm guitar and forming a band in Middle School, performing at High School as well as college functions,being a member of a touring Stage Band while at college, directing children and adult choirs as well as worship leading for a local church and entertaining at assisted living facilities. I have also produced a demo cd of original compositions. I have been helping people learn the guitar ever since High School. While at college I also studied Music Theory. Over the years I have taught both private as well as group guitar lessons. Currently, I teach private guitar lessons at a local music workshop as well as group lessons for beginner as well as more advanced levels at a recreation center. In addition I also teach private and group ukulele lessons.I have taught the guitar to a wide array of students with various backgrounds and of all ages. For instance I currently teach guitar to a six year old. I have also taught guitar to baby boomers as well as senior citizens. My vast experience in guitar teaching will help the new student to get the individual care and attention that he or she deserves. *** Lesson Details *** My students can expect to learn, grow and develop their guitar playing skills at the individual pace which fits each student uniquely. I present a fun, laid back learning experience for the student within a structured environment with goals for each coming lesson. I believe each lesson should be building foundations for future lessons. I encourage my students to enjoy their learning experience and use their innate abilities to the fullest. I have developed my own curriculum which is a combination of musical terms, guitar chord charts, songs as well as other helpful material to get things started on a proper note.Usually, a beginner student learns at least one song during the very first lesson. I encourage my students to ask questions and strive to develop open communication. If needed, I begin new students on "partial chord formations" until their skills develop to more complex chording. In time, after basic skills have been mastered,I give my students the opportunity to request songs that they would like to learn. I would expect that in six months my student will have learned an array of songs which we will then build upon for more complex and varied musical presentation. This includes the development of right hand strumming and picking methods. I also encourage my students to challenge themselves, as I have found learning to play the guitar is indeed a life-time event. *** Travel Equipment *** I provide the music material and lessons for all my students. I expect my student to provide their own guitars, amps,guitar stands, etc. *** Specialties *** I teach folk, folk-rock, jazz , classic rock, classic pop and contemporary artists. I specialize in acoustical guitar but have also done some electric guitar teaching as well.I offer students to sing along with their playing which helps keep them on track.