Guitar with Mike M.

I have played in concert ensembles and with "rock" bands since 1961. I began my musical journey in the late 1950's when friends and I began teaching each other little riffs on the guitar. In 1961 I began formal music training, learning to play the drums in the school band. In high school I began learning to play tuba and moved from the percussion section to the tuba section of the high school band. While studying music education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, my applied instrument was the tuba. I studied privately with B. Schneider, principle trombonist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and J. McEnulty, principle tuba, also, with the St. Louis Symphony. While in college I played with a variety of wind ensembles, as well as, the summer repertory theater orchestra and sang with the University and Community Choirs at SIUE. In 1972 I played Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" in the brass band with the St Louis Symphony Orchestra at the Mississippi River Festival on the SIUE campus. Since college I have played bass guitar with various rock/pop bands, guitar with a swing band, and baritone horn in a concert band. I have played guitar and bass guitar with church praise bands and other choral events. I have sang and directed adult choirs and children's choirs. I have taught vocal and instrumental music in public and private schools, from Kindergarten through grade 12. Since retiring, for the past 7 years, I have focused on teaching private music lessons with students ranging from age 5 to 85 and the student with special needs. *** Lesson Details *** Lesson's are given beginner and intermediate students on guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn/euphonium, or tuba. All students receive basic music theory training, techniques exclusive to their instrument. Lessons are structured but still maintain a relaxed style. The student dictates the direction of the lesson, determining the primary style of music to be used and how deeply he/she wants to delve into the foundations of music beyond basic theory. I assemble information to teach the student how to play their choice of instrument, using the material they want to learn. *** Studio Equipment *** My equipment seems to always be in a constant state of change but at this time it consist of an Alvarez acoustic guitar, Fender Stratocaster guitar, Schecter Corsair semi-hallow body guitar, Squire by Fender 5 string electric bass guitar, Marshall MG30DFX amp, DigitechRPX400 multi-effects pedal, Yamaha Trumpet, Holton Trombone, baritone horn and tuba. I also use a PC with a variety of software programs for teaching music.. *** Travel Equipment *** Alvarez acoustic guitar, Holton trombone, baritone horn, and/or Yamaha trumpet as needed. Laptop PC with a variety of software programs to teach music. *** Specialties *** Various musical styles including but not limited to classical music for brass instruments. Pop, rock, folk, country (old and new style), Christian (from southern gospel to contemporary and everything in between). Training in music theory, ear training, composition/song writing and arranging.