Piano with Scott D.

Scott D. was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois in 1967. He expressed a keen interest in music at an early age, and subsequently, began his studies with the clarinet, and percussion while performing in the school band. A short time after that, he decided guitar was going to be his instrument of choice, and began formal studies with blues man, Don Brown. After that, Scott moved on to study with session ace, Gary Blume. By the time we was 18, he began studies for what would be the first of his two degrees, at William Rainey Harper College. There he was mentored in both classical and jazz guitar under well known session player, and composer, Steven Suvada, and later continued with David Sussman, of the Lyric Opera in Chicago. That year Scott went to Northern Illinois University to continue his studies for a second degree in Music. There he studied under Fareed Haque, of Pangaea records, again obtaining both jazz and classical training. While at NIU, Scott took part in numerous jazz combos who performed extensively in the area. He has also had solo and mixed recitals at Harper, NIU and various other Chicagoland locations where he performed such pieces as: Heitor Villa Lobos’ Preludes # 1, 3 and 4, Mauro Giuliani's Grand Sonata Op. 25 for violin and guitar, and Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto in D Major for 2 violin Liuto e Basso Continuo, Allegro Giusto, Largo, Allegretto. On the more contemporary side he turned his attention to virtuoso guitar innovators, performing the works: Trademark, by Eric Johnson, Always With Me, Always With You, by Joe Satriani, Over My Head, by Douglas T. Pinnick, Ty Tabor, and Terry W Gaskill, Variations on a Theme of Van Halen, arranged by Scott and Tom Hapeman, as well as Scott’s original compositions, Nowhere Fast and Flight of The Monkey! Scott played in many important master classes including the popular duo The Assad Brothers, and The Washington Guitar Quintet. He was also a member of the guitar ensemble from Harper College that was featured on cable television on numerous occasions. Scott has been writing, recording, and performing in every genre imaginable for more than 20 years. He began in his teens performing in cover bands, then in college he founded a self titled fusion based instrumental trio. Later he joined the groups Equinox, The Bulletproof Babies and The Liberty Hounds. He is now writing, recording, and producing original compositions in his home studio, as well as actively performing classical guitar recitals and private events. Scott has been teaching guitar, bass, drums, piano, and vocals for over 20 years at his private studio, Strings and Things, as well as at such locations as: Northern Illinois University, Village Music in Buffalo Grove, Beautiful Music, Music and Arts Center in Naperville, and Austin Music. He has taught classes from 2 students up to as many as 17 students at the Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Lisle and Prospect Heights Park Districts. He has developed innovative methods for learning sight reading, chord structure, harmony, voice leading, key signatures, scales and modes, aural skills, theory/composition and technique through learning the music you like to listen to, right from the CD in the actual lesson! His preferred techniques include Mel Bay methods for guitar, and chord diagram books, Segovia's diatonic major and minor scales, Segovia/Ricordi editions of Carcassi Op. 6 No. 25, and Fernando Sors 20 studies, Giuliani’s 120 right hand studies and Christopher Parkening methods. In addition, he prefers to use the Batersby drum methods, Mel Bay bass methods, and Alfred’s piano library. Scott is available immediately for instruction in guitar, bass, drums, vocals and piano, Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. Other days of the week can be arranged if needed. *** Lesson Details *** The student can expect a fun and laid back atmosphere, while still having a somewhat strict expectation with regards to practice and preparation. Each student is taught according to their background and musical tastes. After a few months, the student will have command of the fundamentals, and be working toward building a repertoire. *** Studio Equipment *** virtual drum kit, concert grand and keyboards, 24 track digital recording studio, seating for parents. All lesson books and materials available on location.