Guitar with Nicholas M.

Music is something everybody should learn. The benefits of knowing how to play music are priceless, whether it is for a hobby or a prospective career. I believe that I am one who can pass down the joy that I get from music to others. I am mostly a self taught musician who has been playing the guitar for over ten years. I started my musical training in more formal settings, beginning with classical guitar and then eventually moving on to learning the electric guitar. I have been seriously practicing, playing, and composing over the course of my life and have a pretty extensive knowledge of proper techniques and music theory regardless of my lack of formal training. I feel that music is more or less the only thing I am good at, so I am confident that my skills and knowledge will be valuable for any student. *** Lesson Details *** My curriculum will be largely based on what the student's wants and needs are. My main concern for anybody learning music, from beginner to professional, is to develop the ability to actively listen. My lesson plans will be focused on training the ear and developing a natural approach to sound. Before any technique or understanding of music theory can be achieved, I firmly believe that a student must first cultivate their sensitivity to sound. When it comes to the guitar, I want my students to allow the instrument to become an extension of themselves. The only way this can be achieved is by having a comprehensive knowledge of their instrument. For example, I don't want my students to simply learn a given scale and its various patterns (it is often a burden for beginning guitarists to fall into patterns), I want them to be able to construct a simple melody out of the scale to develop a relationship with tonality. Even if this sounds somewhat technical, I promise that it will be loads of fun. *** Studio Equipment *** I have multiple guitars on hand as well as a variety of other instruments. *** Travel Equipment *** I would expect the student to at least have the instrument that is being taught on hand. *** Specialties *** I am able to play and teach many different styles of music on the guitar. I won't go as far as to say I can play every style, but over the years I have covered the spectrum from country blues to flamenco. It is difficult for me to say that I am a specialist at one particular style. I am best at more American styles of guitar playing (blues, jazz, country, rock & roll, etc.).