Guitar with Laudon S.

When I first heard my dad play "Blackbird," I was hooked. I borrowed my little brother's guitar and started teaching myself from some old Hal Leonard books. There was something so exhilarating about making a piece of wood produce beautiful sounds. Soon I was taking lessons on electric guitar, playing Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. My teacher at the time pushed me toward classical guitar and I starting attending evening classes at the local community college when I was in high school. I fell in love with making music and decided to make it my career. I earned my Bachelor's of Music from Arizona State University, studying under Frank Koonce. During my first few years there, I focused on technique and commissioning new works for the guitar, while exploring the vast repertoire of music available. The summer before my senior year, Frank asked me take a look at an edition he was doing for Mel Bay and asked if I would like to help him with it. It was all sixteenth century vihuela and lute music. I spent the summer learning to read old tablature systems and even bought t a cheap lute. Lute music had me entranced and I decided I had to learn to play the instrument. I cut my nails off, and started practicing lute for 6 hours a day, in the hopes of auditioning for a Master's program at one of the few schools that offer them. Luckily, I passed my audition and was admitted into the Eastman School of Music, where I earned my Early Music MM and DMA studying under Paul O'Dette. Though early music is my focus, I am constantly exploring new musical avenues. I've performed in folk duos, improvisation bands, and composed new works for lute and guitar. I've also coached singers, string players, wind players, and co-directed a staged opera. My goal is to use my diverse musical background to help my students in every way possible. *** Lesson Details *** I am here to help you meet your goals! In nine years of teaching, I have taught students who just want to have fun and learn to play guitar, aspiring professionals, and professional musicians. I will tailor my teaching style to your specific needs and will always keep them in mind as we progress. Generally, I use Frederick Noad's "Solo Guitar Playing, vol. I" for classical students and students looking to focus on technique and Hal Leonard's "Guitar Method: Complete Edition" for folk, country, and pop. For students looking to learn play lute or theorbo, I will create a program dependent on the specific period and instrument you are interested in. In 3 to 6 months you can expect to be able to read music, have a comfortable knowledge of first position on the fingerboard, and a grasp of several techniques that will help you toward your playing goals. Of course, I like to remind my students that a music teacher functions like a coach, we are here to help you and guide you, but the speed of progress is dependent on the practice you put in! *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons in designated lessons room *** Travel Equipment *** I ask that my students have an instrument (guitar, lute, theorbo), a music stand, and the text or method that we have decided to use. *** Specialties *** My degrees are in classical guitar and early music. My early music instruments are lute (Renaissance) and theorbo (continuo). In addition, I have played and taught bluegrass, country, and folk. I am also comfortable teaching electric guitar up to an intermediate level.