Music Theory with Jonathan F.

​I didn’t begin playing seriously until later in life, so I remember what it’s like to be just starting out. And I found my struggles as an adult student to be an advantage as a teacher because they helped me understand how to break down each advancing step into its component parts and present them to my students in a logical and methodical way that they can actually absorb. Some teachers prefer to work with “advanced” students with whom they can work at a faster pace; I get satisfaction from helping students break down the process and seeing them progress at their own pace, whether they are beginners or more experienced players. ​"Why is this part so hard? It should be easy!" My years of experience in observing and helping students allows me to spot the sometimes hidden technical problems that are holding you back from smoothly executing a transition. By identifying those specific moments, you will know exactly what to focus on so as to make the most efficient use of your practice time. In this way, even a few minutes of focused practice can yield tangible benefits. ​My education and teaching experience Although I began college as an English major, I found that the music courses I was taking “on the side” were my favorites by far. The courses I took piqued my natural curiosity about how music works and provided my largely self-taught guitar playing with a solid foundation in music theory. I eventually transferred to the jazz program headed by John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet at the City College of New York, where I gained valuable ensemble experience as well as a well-rounded musical education. After graduating with my B.F.A. in Guitar Performance, I studied privately with guitarist Dan Carillo, who has played and recorded with Harry Belafonte, Dianne Reeves and Tania Maria among many others. Through studying with Dan, who holds a Master’s degree in music, I observed that his deep knowledge of the structures of music was critical to his proficiency as a player, and I was inspired to continue my formal studies as well. I ended up with a M.A. in Music Composition from Hunter College, where for many years I also taught Music Theory, Sight Singing, and Ear Training courses. The depth and range of my experiences over a lifetime of learning and teaching has given me the ability to meet each student at their own level and to find what works best for them in helping them to meet their goals most efficiently.