Lesson Details
Samuel teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5 to 75 and special needs
- Teaching since:
- January 2014
I've been a performing singer-songwriter since 1993. My influences include Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Richie Havens. I've been teaching private lessons since 2011.
We'll begin with major scales. That way, your fingers will get to know the notes that comprise the chords you'll eventually be learning. Eventually, you'll be able to play whole songs with both major and minor chords and play solos over them (also based on the scales).
I'm a primarily self-taught musician. The bulk of my knowledge came from listening to and imitating delta blues artists such as Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt. Though you will have learned to play campfire standards in fewer than eight lessons, the blues (particularly the form originating from the Mississippi Delta) is the foundation of ALL American music. The better you understand and are able to play it, the more options you will have created for yourself musically. Once you've gained confidence playing the blues, I'll introduce informal jazz.
For more information about my curriculum, you may review my published articles on TakeLesson's Teacher Blog. Please note that I'm available to teach both in-person and online:
http://takelessons.com/blog/learning-guitar-without-sheet-music
http://takelessons.com/blog/reasons-to-learn-guitar-scales
http://takelessons.com/blog/beginner-guitars
http://takelessons.com/blog/blues-chord-progressions
http://takelessons.com/blog/best-guitar-solos
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-barre-chords
http://takelessons.com/blog/learning-guitar-styles
http://takelessons.com/blog/expand-your-guitar-solos
http://takelessons.com/blog/maximize-acoustic-guitar-lifespan
http://takelessons.com/blog/are-you-ready-to-play-guitar-solos
http://takelessons.com/blog/blues-guitar-exercise
http://takelessons.com/blog/writing-a-song-on-guitar-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/writing-a-song-on-guitar-lyrics-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-tips-for-open-mic-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/preparing-for-bluegrass-guitar-lessons-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/2-simple-tricks-to-play-country-guitar-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/how-to-write-a-jazz-guitar-song-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/famous-guitar-players-who-are-not-virtuosos-z01
http://takelessons.com/blog/5-jazz-guitar-licks-z01
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Experience
Classroom Teacher
Sep 2003 - Jun 2004During the 2003-2004 school year, I raised standardized fourth-grade exam scores in mathematics 35% (from what they'd been the year prior) by way of implementing kinesthetic multi-sensory instruction. I teach guitar lessons very similarly in that I stress scales before chords in order to provide the student familiarity with relevant fingering.
+ Read MoreEducation
Master of Arts - Educational Psychology
Sep 2004 - Jun 2007Bachelor of Arts - History
Sep 1995 - May 1999Languages
English
Spanish
Certifications
Elementary Education (K-8)
Jun 2006Awards
Perfect Attendance
Jun 2004Photos & Videos
14 Reviews
Write a ReviewGreat teacher. Patient and explains so you understand
I found Samuel to be very good at making me feel comfortable at acting, even though I'm a fairly introverted person. Also he adapts to the subject and managed to have me memorize 3 pages of script, which is not something I thought I anyone could get me to do.
+ Read MoreSam is very patient and knowledgeable about the guitar.
Sam Bean is a thoughtful, perceptive person who is sensitive to people’s learning styles. He has a lot of experience in playing, as well as teaching guitar. He is also someone of high integrity.
We have had the pleasure of knowing Sam Bean for many years and would give him an A+ for his singing, guitar and performance skills. In short, Sam is awesome and an exceptional person.
Sam is a well honed teacher with a philosophy, a lot of patience and great skill. Taking lessons with him will certainly improve your playing!!
Sam is a terrific person and a great instructor! Highly recommended!
I have known sam for years as a friend. Not only is he a wonderful person but a great teacher. While we have never had formal lessons, he is always gracious and willing to explain and slow down whatever he is playing. And he is always playing! He is super talented and a joy to be around.
+ Read MoreSamuel has been a top notch teacher and is very patient with my son. My son always tells me that he's inspired after every lesson. So much so that another one of my other sons has observed these lessons and is interested in taking lessons from Samuel as well.
+ Read MoreOver the past 20 years I have taken guitar lessons twice. The episodes were separated by 15 years. I was engaged and even intense about learning. Both times ended in frustration and more important, failure. After only 5 lessons with Samuel Bean, I have learned to strum chords in time, learned several scales, 12 bar and 8 bar patterns and a bit of music theory. The result is playing to a level that provides personal satisfaction. I look forward to playing. So for you beginners and frustrated musicians out there, you know who you are, give it a try. I predict success.
+ Read MoreI have had known Sam for many years. I am friends with his parents and his sister Emmy, also a very talented musician.
Although I don't live near him, unfortunately, when he visits NYC I make it a point to check in with him and ask for his his advice on my rather limited guitar skills. I always come away from our sessions feeling much better about my playing and can see what an improvement he has made for me. He is very patient and so eager to help, even a beginner like myself. i just wish he lived closer!
When I joined Sasona's housing cooperative community, I didn't know how to do anything. Sam provided an orientation for me that was above and beyond. Whenever I didn't know how to do something I knew I could ask him and he would not only tell me how, he would teach me how. Teaching is an integral part of who he is. He is conscientious, compassionate, and committed to his students. I absolutely recommend him as an instructor for people of all ages.
+ Read MoreHaving taken almost a dozen lessons from Sam, I can say with assurance that he is a competent, serious and sensitive instructor. Before the first lesson he inquired as to my purpose in learning the guitar and my goals. He then tailored his instruction accordingly.
As to his competence, he is a talented artist who plays with mastery and teaches with the belief that with time and practice, the student can attain comparable skill. He looks for and provides alternative methods when I have difficulty with a chord. He provides links to artists online so I can work on subtle changes in a tune during my week's practice.
Sam teaches scales which we review at each session. We also review songs/chords with an emphasis on clarity and rhythm (and graciously, not my singing). He is very serious about getting it 'right', but he is also sensitive.
Besides being sensitive in correcting mistakes, he is also sensitive to my preference in music. Without abandoning the basics, he is kindly teaching me more Blues songs than campfire ones since I like the moody melodies.
I'm very pleased and happy with my experience as Sam's student.
Great guitar lessons
We tried a few different guitar teachers for our two young daughters, but they learned the most with Sam. He is one of those rare individuals with a gift for working with children, and has made a career for himself in teaching. He has a strong presence in the space that keeps children very focused on the music. I highly recommend.