Guitar with William D.

I love teaching and feel that I have a gift for it. I have taught over 250 students - all ages, levels, and styles - who would describe me as a patient, consistent and authentic teacher who gets great results, while maintaining a positive, low pressure teaching environment. My teaching style is "student centered." I believe it is important for students to learn and understand music at their own pace and on there own terms in order to achieve the best results. It is my job to take every opportunity to encourage students' interests while providing them with the tools, skills and knowledge that will transform those interests into unlimited musical abilities. I am very good with children and served as the Program Coordinator (and guitar teacher) for the Salvation Army Creative Arts Program for Youth in Billings, MT. During my time there I instructed over 200 young people ages 6 to 18. It was a wonderful experience. However, I wanted to boost my skills as a teacher and performer. I auditioned and was accepted, with a scholarship, to the Masters of Music program in guitar performance at Arizona State University. Since, then I have earned my M.M. and am teaching full time in the central Phoenix area. Styles: Classical, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Popular, Folk (I specialize in Classical Guitar) *** Lesson Details *** How I Teach Guitar: I am a patient, consistent and authentic teacher who maintains a positive, low pressure teaching environment. My teaching style is "student centered." I believe it is important for students to learn and understand music at their own pace and on there own terms in order to achieve the best results. I do not "harp on" students to practice more, but rather, I am constantly searching for ways to instill self-motivation in my students. I will teach my students whatever they want to learn. However, I teach currently with their music of interest, a progressive curriculum of technique and theory based repertoire that will enhance playing for any style of guitar. Specifically, all of my students are taught to read music - not just classical and jazz students, but rock and blues students too. Also, I think performing is very important for a student of music, so I have frequent student recitals. Recitals are a lot of fun and a good way for students to feel proud about their progression. I like to have recitals every three months and have all of my students play some music that they have been learning. I believe student recitals should be a "no pressure" event, so I never make students play in them if they don't want to. But, really, they always want to. What my students should expect to get from my teaching: I believe each student progresses at their own rate and students progress the fastest when they are interested. I help my students to continually progress, and more importantly, I help them become more and more interested in playing music. My students will be surprised at their own abilities as they develop a love for playing the guitar. Curriculum,  I use a myriad of curriculum and books from the Suzuki Method to that of my own. I really try to custom make a different curriculum for each student. In general, I will use a method book specific to the style of music that the student is learning, and with that will assign solo's and other technique building repertoire in addition to music that the student is requesting to learn. Practice: I have no specific time requirements for at home practice, but I strongly suggest daily practice to all my students (I give younger students a practice schedule checklist to help them to remember). Inevitably, students who don't practice will quit playing. *** Studio Equipment *** Couch and plenty of room for parents to sit in studio as well as a waiting room. Guitars available for use. *** Travel Equipment *** I expect the student to provide their own instrument for in home lessons. *** Specialties *** I can teach all styles of guitar beginner to advanced. My greatest strength is classical guitar, but I enjoy teaching any style. I have taught drums and piano both at a beginner and intermediate level. I incorporate music theory into all of my teaching. I have never taught composition, but I have written and recorded any popular songs and instrumental compositions and am certain I could teach up to an intermediate level.