Guitar with Travis M.

I have been playing bass and guitar for 18 years, and writing, recording, performing, and touring with my own bands for 15. I have worked in the past two years extensively with hundreds of students ranging in age between 11 and 18, instructing primarily for bass and guitar,but also for drums, keys, vocals, song writing, and live performance. When working with a new student, I attune my teaching style to their unique needs and desires with their instrument. Some students like to approach their instrument by learning about theory to help them build a foundation, others need to grasp concepts and get to know their instrument more intuitively. Almost all of them just want to have fun though, and fun is one of the utmost important if not the MOST important part of any educational curriculum, especially when it comes to making music. I am very versatile in my teaching style and love helping a student to find and broaden their own particular avenues of creativity and self expression, and above all I find that students learn best when they are staying inquisitive, inspired, and in love with their instruments and music. As a teacher I am very enthusiastic and encouraging with my students and I have never come across any barricade to a students advancement even where others have failed. In short, I will never stop believing in my students! If I have a student that truly desires to grow as a musician I will teach them everything I know and will cheer them on with gusto and dedication because it is so rewarding to see them realize more of their potential as musicians and people. *** Lesson Details *** In a lesson, I generally like to allow the lesson to be guided at first by what it is the student is interested in learning. What styles of playing they are most interested in, what genres of music they enjoy, any specific techniques they might want to explore. For beginners, it is obviously necessary to start with the most basic facets of playing and getting to know their instrument, but in general I like to spend at least half and often times more than half of the lesson with the student playing and working with the ideas we are covering in the lessons. I like to present the teachings and then give examples of how to practically apply them, and then jam and play with the student exploring how to implement what it is we are working on in creative ways, as well as giving examples of ways it has been implemented by others. For this reason, I highly recommend an hour long lesson so there is enough time to grasp the material as well as explore it in a practical hands on manner with the student before they go back to practicing on their own. I try to punctuate for the student the essence of certain ways of hearing and playing so that they can begin to develop a more instinctive feel to their playing and hopefully connect what they are learning technically with their own individual creative expressions that are unique to themselves. It is my aim with students that they become comfortable, confident, and even more excited about playing their instrument and making music. *** Studio Equipment *** fretless and electric bass, electric guitars, acoustic guitar, amplifiers. *** Travel Equipment *** i can provide amplifier as well as bass or guitar if necessary, but would prefer the student provide them if possible. *** Specialties *** I specialize in styles most influenced by rock, soul, funk, and r&b music.