Austin Academic Tutoring Lessons for Seniors

remarkable intricacies in their art.

We'll begin with the major scale in the key of C (as seen in the video) which you'll hear me indicate as being the white keys on the piano. Afterwards, you'll learn a spiritual and an American standard with just the three major chords comprising that key (C, F, and G7). The key of D will be taught in a very similar manner (a scale and then three chords) before the blues is introduced.

Though you will have learned to play campfire standards in fewer than eight lessons, I'm a believer in imparting the roots of the form and not just its recognizable elements. The blues (particularly the form originating from the Mississippi Delta) is the foundation of ALL American music. Therefore, I consider it essential to the curriculum.

I've always found E to be the most blues-friendly of all the keys. We'll be spending more than twice the amount of time we will have spent in C or D learning multiple progressions and chord formations in E. Afterwards, you'll be introduced to the blues scale and receive the basis for playing lead (solos). You'll learn some rudimentary jazz within this segment of the process as well.

For more information about my curriculum, you may review my published articles on TakeLesson's Teacher Blog:

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

NOTE: I travel strictly by bicycle and bus. Any in-home lessons must be within a three-mile radius of my home in Zilker/Barton Hills.

d with a real sense of confidence in their musicianship. Plus they have a lot of fun as they make musical progress!

Gfire is also an award-winning singer-songwriter and "Yoga for the Voice" innovator. She has released 4 CDs of all-original music and is currently working on her 5th CD, to be released in 2015.

As a teacher, Gfire works with students of all levels and all areas of interest. In October 2007, Gfire became the only vocal teacher in the Western Hemisphere to gain full certification in the Science of Singing, developed by Ernest G. White of London, England. Her unique voice training program, entitled "Yoga for the Voice," combines this knowledge of the Science of Singing with ancient yoga breathing techniques. This technique allows each voice student to develop a "vocal tune-up" for the voice AND to discover what the natural singing range is and how to use the voice as effectively as possible. With the internet SKYPE technology, Gfire teaches voice students all over the world, from Switzerland to the U.K. to New Zealand to New York.

Her vocal students have sung in touring rock bands, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, in successful auditions, in karaoke clubs, in coffee houses and folk clubs, at weddings and for their own enjoyment amongst family and friends. Whatever level of singing training you wish to acquire, she will show you the way to achieve it!

Gfire was also the main voice instructor and one of 3 main piano teachers at the Austin branch of Mars Music (now defunct) for 3 1/2 years. In addition to her vocal study and innovation, she has studied piano with top classical and jazz pianists, studied songwriting with Pat Pattison of Berklee College in Boston, gotten her full yoga teaching certification in 2004 and DJ'd at clubs and parties worldwide. For eight years straight - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 - she has won the prestigious ASCAPlus Award for professional songwriting.

As a singer-songwriter, Gfire continues to write, record and perform with some of the best musicians and engineers in the world, including engineer Stuart Sullivan (Willie Nelson, Sublime, Meat Puppets, etc.), Hammond organ player Ian McLagen (Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart), cellist John Hagen (Lyle Lovett), fiddle/mandolin player Warren Hood (The Waybacks), bassist George Reiff (Ray Wylie Hubbard) and banjo picker Danny Barnes (Bad Livers, Dave Matthews).

Gfire's original songs have been played on over 200 radio and television stations worldwide. She has toured in over half of the fifty states, plus the U.K. and Canada.

*** Lesson Details ***
NEW - Gfire is now available to teach WORLDWIDE via SKYPE or FaceTime - so you can have a music lesson in the privacy of your own home!!

Voice lessons - I have created a unique and wonderful vocal method, "Yoga for the Voice," which combines ancient yoga breathing exercises with special vocal exercises to give you a "complete vocal tune-up." These techniques are simple, effective and easily-learned by any student of the voice, from about age 5-105. I love to help you learn to apply these wonderful techniques to learning the songs you wish to learn - whether they are pop, r 'n' b, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, country, opera, musical theater, jazz, etc. "Yoga for the Voice" is just as effective for professional speakers, such as teachers, lawyers, clergymen or actors - we just use a range of notes that is smaller than a singer's range, and we focus on using your speaking voice as effectively and efficiently as possible.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the "breath of fire" and "one-minute breath" - the BEST yoga breaths for singers!
2. master the "sinus humming exercises" - identifying where EACH note in your range originates in your own head
3. master the "full-body exercises" - traditional singing exercises on "mah, mee, moh, moo, meh" - so that you can move easily between your chest voice, middle voice, and head voice
4. master 2-10 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song - being able to sing each song in TUNE, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
5. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Piano lessons - I teach a wide range of piano styles at levels from beginner to early advanced, beginning around age 5. Whether you want to learn classical, rock, blues, country, boogie-woogie, or other styles of piano and keyboard playing, I will sculpt your lesson plan so that you have a great foundation in technique AND you learn the styles and songs you wish to play.

In 3-6 months, you will be able to:

1. master the Leschetizky, hand massage, and isometric warm-up exercises - the BEST piano warm-ups!
2. depending on your level, master Hanon exercises 1-12, major and minor scales, major and minor arpeggios
3. for beginners, you will be able to play with BOTH hands on the treble and bass clefs - at the same time!!
4. master the I-IV-V progression in 3-12 keys, depending on your level - so that you can play blues, rock, country, boogie-woogie, and ragtime songs!!
5. master 4-20 songs or more, depending on your level and the level of difficulty of each song (classical songs tend to take more time to master) - being able to play each song with great technique, with feeling, and having a blast doing it!!
6. if you wish, you can perform your song(s) at one of my voice and piano recitals - on a REAL Austin stage!!

Songwriting lessons - I will teach you how to create a great song, in the style you wish to write in. Country songs, pop songs, rock tunes, r'n' b, folk, etc. - all of these genres have "unwritten rules" about how to put together an effective song. We will utilize special songwriting exercises and tools to help you learn to be a wonderful songwriter.

DJ lessons - I teach beat matching, turntable fine-tuning and repertoire selection to help you become the DJ you aspire to be. I own crates and crates of vinyl records and CDs, and I have DJ'd all over the world to enthusiastic crowds, so I can teach you to attain a real joy and skill in the art of turntablism.

Yoga lessons - I am a fully KRI-certified yoga teacher and I can help you develop a valuable yoga routine to help you achieve your health and relaxation goals. We will choose from literally hundreds of exercises and breathing techniques specifically geared to your needs and wants.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Pro Tools mBox PRO Full Recording Studio
Yamaha U1 Upright Piano
Shure SM 58 Microphone
Shure SM 57 Microphone
Korg microKorg Synthesizer
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann TLM 103 Microphone
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Nord Lead Synthesizer
Taylor Acoustic Guitar
West African Djembe
MacBook Pro Computer
Universal Audio LA-610 Pre-amp
2 Technics 1200 Professional DJ Turntables
American DJ Pro-Scratch 1 Professional CDJ
Rane MP22 DJ Mixer
Mogami Professional Audio Cables

*** Travel Equipment ***
Yamaha M06 Synthesizer
Yamaha StagePas 300 PA System
Neumann KMS 105 Microphone
Macintosh Laptop Computer

*** Specialties ***
music, singing, piano, songwriting, DJ'ing, yoga, folk guitar

I have developed "Yoga for the Voice" - a combination of my 18 years of studying and receiving certification in the "Science of Singing" (as taught by Ernest George White of London, England) and my 10 years experience and certification in yoga, specifically ancient yoga breathing techniques. I will work with voice students as young as 4 and as old as they want to go! Voice lessons span all styles and all levels - pop, rock, r 'n' b, country, folk, singer-songwriter, opera, classical, musical theater, etc. from beginner to advanced. Generally beginning around age 7.

Piano - levels beginner to early advanced, most styles, including classical, rock, pop, folk, country, singer-songwriter, blues and boogie-woogie. Generally beginning around age 5.

Songwriting - all popular styles, including rock, pop, folk, country, blues, singer-songwriter, r 'n' b, etc.

DJ'ing - all basic DJ methods, including beat matching, turntable basics and repertoire selection.

Yoga - yoga breathing AND physical exercises, depending on the needs and wants of the student.

Folk guitar - finger picking and accompaniment skills for folk singers.

In piano, I specialize in teaching students who want to play a wide variety of music - classical, pop, rock, country, blues, etc. I begin with piano students who are 5 years of age and older, as long as they have the requisite attention span.

In songwriting, I specialize in teaching students methods of developing popular songs - pop, r 'n' b, country, rock, folk, etc.

In DJ'ing, I specialize in basic beatmatching and repertoire selection.

And in yoga, I specialize in tailoring the yogic needs of the student - whether she/he wishes to work on stretching, breathing, abdominal strengthening, etc.

ousands of dollars for charities over the years, including University of Illinois at Chicago G.I.L.D. and Hadassah. Karen is also available for Mardi Gras events and Corporate Holiday Parties.

another and so much more. It helps that each game played builds upon the next to reinforce the learning.

What you get:
One-on-One - 45 min - 1 hour of discussion / rehearsal with Christine - working on improv performance skills or personal communication skills. At the end of the session, you will be armed with new tools.

Improv Troupe Notes - 1 hour - for improv troupes needing an outside eye for notes, direction and ideas for marketing your troupe. At the end of the session, you will have new games and ideas to move your troupe forward.

Custom Course - 45min - 1 hour or weekly - Tell me what you would like to improve. Character choices? Initiations? Storyline? You tell me.

Improv empowers people. Let's empower each other.

f all ages. I particularly enjoyed working with kindergarteners in South Korea and Hospitality College students in Mexico.