Lesson Details
Bass Guitar
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
I typically play a 6 string bass but I'm happy to teach any type of bass from a 4 to 11 string instrument. I love teaching improvisation and special right hand techniques, so whatever path you want to go down I bet I can help you.
Jonathan teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 1+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- August 2010
I studied music therapy and music theory at Temple University from '06-'10. Learned a lot. Then again, I learned even more teaching at a school for kids with learning disabilities and working as a traveling street performer. Once you see the world and work with some unexpected challenges, you learn how to open up and knuckle down at the same time!
I am currently a full-time YouTube Creator, sidelining in cover bands and a solo act. Teaching is a big part of what I do online so I see my work as a private teacher as 'research' for the lessons I create. Although I'm firmly grounded in a classical music training, there's nothing you can ask about that I won't try to figure out. My favorite thing about teaching is using unexpected questions to develop new ideas that I then integrate into my original compositions. Check out my intro to the Blues Raga video if you want to hear a good story about what I mean.
Recently I've had several articles published by the TakeLessons Blog. Check out my most recent post here.
http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-play-acoustic-guitar-like-john-mayer-z01
Experience
Private Teacher
Aug 2010 - PresentOne of the first things I did when I got out of school was to start a private teaching studio. I've taught in my home, in the homes of my students, practices rooms on college campuses, reverberant stairwells, via Skype connections, and a lot of other environments that have enhanced my understand of how people learn.
Teaching independently has led me into contact with students who can't find a teacher for what they want to learn. A lot of my students are interested in unconventional styles and I've immensely enjoyed the challenge of figuring out how to do the things they want to do. It's been one of the most edifying aspects of my career, and it encourages me to stay grounded in the classical training that keeps my technique in good shape for new and exciting challenges.
Private Teacher
Sep 2011 - May 2012Before I moved away from Philadelphia I was privileged to teach at this school for kids with special learning needs. I was able to apply my own experience with learning differences and my education in music therapy to develop unique teaching approaches for these kids, and I learned more than a few things about working with families to build a community that supports music learning.
+ Read MoreEducation
Music Theory
Aug 2006 - May 2010High School Diploma
Aug 2002 - May 2006Languages
German
Awards
CARAS Grant
May 2009Diamond Undergraduate Research Scholarship
May 2009Photos & Videos
11 Reviews
Write a ReviewJonathan is knowledgeable and patient. I am very pleased
Jonathan does everything right. A good guy with a clear passion for what he does.
Jonathan has been a great teacher and excellent influence for Noah. During lessons, and in his practice during the week, Noah is being drawn in by both the challenges and rewards of learning to love and play the violin.
Great lesson today! Johnathon is really good with young kids. We started with learning structured notes, and then he let my son improvise. It was magical. I'm happy to see how Johnathon makes the lesson interaction so much fun!
My son responded very well to his techniques and his teaching ability speaks for itself.
Never really took a singing lesson with a professional teacher, Taking lesson with Jonathan makes me feel more enthusiastic and inspired to really improve my singing skills
Jonathan is younger than I expected, but his knowledge of and passion for music is undeniable. I would venture a guess that he's a musical genius. He has a phenomenal voice that he's obviously spent a lot of time developing. More importantly, he has classical voice training and knows how to teach effective techniques. Before I took lessons with him, I didn't realize that I'm perfectly capable of hitting a high C because I didn't know how to sing properly. Jonathan was a great help and I would highly recommend him.
+ Read MoreThis is my first experience with a vocal instructor for my child. My child is Autistic and loves to sing. Jonathan was eager and encouraging to him. Jonathan offered suggestions with great practical applications, like "yawn like a bear waking up from hibernation" to demonstrate proper breathing!
+ Read MoreI took guitar lessons from Jon a few months ago.
the lessons were the best investment I ever made.
they were transformative.
they took me to the next level.
and there is just no comparison to the level I was at previously.
I grew in super fantastic ways.
lessons with Jon helped me to become a better guitarist and singer.
but, also a better musician. I learned a ton about how to be the best musician that I can be from him.
the guitar techniques that I wanted to learn from him, are challenging.
at the beginning, some of it was impossible.
he encouraged me. told me I could do it.
showed me a ton of super cool techniques.
told me stuff about how to use my mental powers (stuff like about HOW we learn).
he knows a lot about learning.
and he's super generous in teaching it.
I highly recommend for everyone to take lessons from Jon.
The thing I really like about Jon's teaching is that he is able to take a complex idea or technique and teach it in its most basic and simplest form. He taught me a lot about guitar improvisation and broke it down into fundamental licks or core phrases that could be used and applied to many different areas of the guitar. In addition, he's a super down to earth dude and anyone who is interested in the guitar or music in general should consider taking lessons from him.
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