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Classical Guitar with Susan T.

Grand Prairie, Texas

4.9
(41)
Background check
Teaches online
Teaches Beginner
Age: 5-90
Teaching since 2010
Paralegal
  • Student Favorite

30+ years professional singer/songwriter/musician (piano/guitar); producer; adults/retirees welcome!

My own former guitar teacher once told me, "Guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play, but the most difficult to master." Now that I teach guitar including theory, I understand exactly what he meant. We will start with finger-strengthening exercises while learning basic music fundamentals; then on to sight reading, string by string, note by note; we will learn to group notes together (chords) a bit later (after you have mastered the rest and free strokes. Be prepared to purchase Hal Leonard's Classical Guitar Course and/or A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar (including Easy Classical Guitar Duets - both of these can be bought on Amazon). Other supplies: metronome/tuner, picks, and a classical-nylon stringed guitar of course. Music is made up of pitch (notes) and rhythm (keeping time);, so using a metronome (or online practice tool) right from the beginning will help you learn rhythm if you have problems in that area (many students do). We will do clapping exercises if necessary. I am looking for committed beginning classical guitar students (or those who may already "play" a steel string "acoustic" guitar who want to learn or transition over classical nylon-string guitar studies (application and theory). Practicing daily is the best way to learn guitar, you will find that your body molds itself with your instrument; your guitar may become one of your best friends; body and finger/wrist/shoulder posture are all very important. Please feel free to let me know which songs you desire to master. NOTE Lastly, in September 2019, one of my three year sixth grade students performed Canon in D at Mulenburg County, KY at its thumb-picking competition event. He was the youngest guitarist there; he started out with classical guitar training and intends to compete in the JR Competition as soon as it is offered again. He has since won third place nationally; he started out on Classical Guitar studies.

Instructor details

Location:
Teacher's Studio
Teacher's Studio
SEE MAP
Whitman Lane
Teaches Online
Teaches Online

Teaching Hours

Tuesday
12 PM-3:15 PM
4:30 PM-5 PM
Wednesday
12 PM-2:30 PM
Thursday
12 PM-2 PM
Friday
12 PM-2 PM
Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$40
45 minutes
$60
60 minutes
$75

About Susan T.

4.9
(41)
After 30+ years of professional musicianship spanning across two continents (North America and Europe) with original published songs available digitally (on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc.) and two CDs on the market (a third containing jazz standards/originals mastered) I retired from "performing" in 2010 and started teaching classical, blues, jazz solo piano; pop, classical piano/voice; classical guitar, pop, classic rock guitar/voice, songwriting, theory; most recently the trending ukulele(s) (including baritone). I especially want to work with dedicated school age children who love music and able to take online instruction; families with multiple siblings that may want to play together eventually (on multiple instruments); couples; solo students any age who play for personal pleasure or have professional musicianship or composition aspirations. My motto: From the movie, Beethoven Lives Upstairs (family film on youTube) ... "Great musicians need the spirit of a gypsy; the discipline of a soldier!" Current accomplishments: NOV 2021 A 13 year old guitarist/piano/voice student with professional musicianship goals was inducted into National Legendary Thumb-pickers Hall of Fame after winning the JR Competition. Early 2022 A 90 year old mother played holiday ukulele duets with daughter 59. Two siblings played holiday solos in church (one classical guitarist O Holy Night; one jazz piano soloist Away in a Manger). One of my former adult students (songwriter, guitar, piano, trumpet, sound engineer) quit his professional job as attorney back in 2015 and after 30 voice lessons he signed with an LA based eight-time grammy award winning music producer. Lessons need to be recurring weekly - if not twice per week - in order for the brain, nervous system, fine motor skills learn repetitive movements, patterns, and momentum. Adults? Recurring lessons are still important; most adults need lots of flexibility in scheduling - which I can assist with but too many missed lessons, adults usually quit. Please prove me wrong ... lol I wrote my first song at 17 and helped work my way through college playing original music and covers as solo artist in coffee shops and on KSU’s campus. As songwriter and founding member of “Progressive Wood” (a KSU original folk/rock band), we performed at campus parties, state fairs and festivals. I earned a bachelors degree in Family and Child Development. One thing led to another, decade after decade, now my passion is teaching/helping others with their music and goals. HOBBIES Gardening; 26/2 and Restorative yoga (20+years); different forms of meditation; Gaia TV; cycling with friends (off- and on-road); hiking and volunteering at a nature center collecting seeds, planting seedlings to raise money for the center. In 2023 I hope to be arranging/producing 25 or more original unpublished songs on a new Yamaha PSR SX 900 arranger/workstation/keyboard. Being a good compassionate friend to others is important to me.
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4.9
41 Reviews
David
Online
Susan is the best guitar teacher I have used and definitely recommend her to others.
Posted May 9, 2022
Liz
Online
Susan is a wonderful teacher. I'm an adult student (a senior) whose primary goal is to stop cringing when I hear the sound of my own voice, and she has tailored our lessons to help me achieve more than I thought I could. I highly recommend her!
Posted Apr 8, 2022
Ashley
Online
I’m an adult student and Ms Taylor has formed a perfect plan to teaching me according to my goals, skill level and speed of progress. I find she has a great balance of correction and encouragement - both so important. She’s never met any mistakes with impatience and that has helped tremendously. I find myself striving for goals I didn’t expect and achieving things faster than I thought possible. We play both necessary music to learn key skills as well as fun and enjoyable pieces that keep me engaged. I am so grateful for her care, influence and tutelage. All of my children are anxious for an opportunity to study under her. Thanks again Ms Taylor!
Posted Feb 1, 2022
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Experience

Owner

Jan, 2010 - Present

Private Studio

I have taught privately since January 2010.

Substitute Teacher

Aug, 2004 - May, 2013

Arlington ISD

I was a popular substitute teacher for general elementary music classes Grades 1-6; additionally, subbed for orchestra and band teachers at middle- and/or senior- level schools. AISD hired on an as-needed basis but I worked full-time. Most interesting and rewarding was writing and teaching a songwriting class for children Grades 1-6. Some of those children went on to recording their own compositions in professional studios.

Education

Bachelor of Science

Sep, 1974 - May, 1980

Kansas State University

Paralegal

Aug, 1998 - Dec, 1998

University of North Texas/Professional Development Institute

Certifications

Certificate of Educational Achievement

Dec, 1998

Professional Development Institute - UNT

Paralegal Certification: With this certification, I am able to file music copyrights, and assist in entertainment law to attorneys (i.e., copyright infringement, etc. type cases)

Awards

Certificate of Appreciation

Dec, 2008

Arlington ISD

Certificate of Appreciation

Feb, 2010

Arlington ISD

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