Music Theory with James W.

I love Music Theory, and love helping others appreciate it too. It took several years for me to appreciate the subject, but when I got serious about music as a teenager I scrambled to get caught up. If you understand Theory it's so much easier to learn music quickly. Plus, if you desire to create your own music in any way, it will be much easier if you know the guidelines. (Notice I said "guidelines", not "rules). Artists learn colors and shapes; chefs know their spices and flavors; we learn Theory so our creating is not reliant and chance and luck. Music has been my life-long passion. Now, I enjoy passing that passion along to others so they can find the same joy music gives me. I started taking private piano lessons at the age of 7 and immersed myself in Classical music. By high-school I was winning awards and scholarships for my piano playing, but I was also losing interest in Classical music. I starting learning the guitar at the age of 16 to play Rock and Heavy Metal. Ultimately, those interests took over and I attended Berklee College of Music as a guitar major, despite having studied the instrument for only two years. I graduated from Berklee in 2004 with degrees in Guitar Performance and Music Business. Immediately after college I spent several years working in the corporate world. I found that the job security was not worth sacrificing the pursuit of my passion. I started teaching and performing music for a living in 2010 and have been doing so ever since. I’ve given group and private lessons, and found individual instruction to be more effective. I’ve worked regularly for private studios, other online services, and as a freelancer. Every lesson I ever had as a student, every performance I've ever given, and every lesson I've given all add up into the experience I bring into my work as a teacher now. Some of the most important things I've learned are: 1.) Regular, daily practicing is the most crucial element to success. 2.) Take the time to address details and get them right, no matter how long it takes. If you skip them early on you'll regret it later. 3.) Every student is different, and no one structure will work for everybody. A teacher must be flexible and always keep the student's best interest in mind. I approach my lessons with a philosophy of "Teach a student what they want, while instilling the fundamentals they need." I strive to maintain a high standard of excellence, while keeping instruction rewarding and fun. I'm not a strict taskmaster who gives orders. Instead, I want to inspire my students through positive reinforcement that reveals their own capabilities. I don't focus on specific styles of music. Instead, I use established teaching methods to build strong foundations in technique and theory. Pupils can then apply these to any style of their choosing. I mold my approach to suit each individual’s needs and goals; but always with the same friendly and patient demeanor. I want every student to achieve their musical potential in a relaxed atmosphere. I'm constantly preaching "Believe in yourself, keep trying, and eventually you will be able to do it."