Dallas, TX Music Performance Lessons

I am a very easy going person and I like to have fun! I strive to be kind and understanding to people, especially students.

Here is what you can expect from a lesson with me:
Kindness
Support
Encouragement
Understanding
FUN

Each lesson is tailored to the student's unique needs. I use music that will suit the student's voice and experience level, and will help the student to improve in certain areas. Also, I allow students to bring in their own music that they would like to work on. I have had students bring in music for upcoming auditions, church solos, and even pieces solely for entertainment.

My lessons are all about doing things right. I focus on correct breathing, posture, etc, and help the student to learn what to listen for and feel in their own voice.

I encourage my students to spend time on their pieces outside of our lesson and emphasize the difference that practice can make. Trust me, I can tell when my students haven't practiced!

Most importantly, I strive to make my lessons enjoyable!

*** THE STUDIO ***

My studio is located at my house in a separate room. I have a keyboard, seating, music library, and a computer with speakers.

We have pets, but they are kept in a different part of the house during lessons.

*** SPECIALTIES ***

I strive to break bad habits, teach correct singing, and establish good technique. I have taught opera and pop styles, though I'm open to anything! My main focus is to get the student to sing correctly and efficiently. After that, style choice can come into play. With the correct technique, you can sing anything!

io are definitely more beneficial to the student, because I have all my toys here! Besides having all of my other instruments here for demonstrations, or being able to freely change between electric or acoustic guitar for example.
I also find that students who are at home (especially the children) tend to be more distracted, whether it's from lack of privacy due to the area chosen for the lessons, or often (again, this goes especially for the kids) there are pets that they like to play with while I'm trying to talk to them.
When they're guests in my home, however, I find I have their strict attention.

*** Specialties ***
I am primarily a guitar player specializing in electric lead guitar and solo acoustic guitar/vocal performance. I also teach beginner to advanced bass guitar, primarily finger-style.

nd small groups. I’ve shared the stage with Erykah Badu, Ruben Studdard, Rickey Dillard, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi, Peabo Bryson, and CeCe Winans.

I love musical theater, and my favorite credit has to have been when I played the role of "Mama" in Once on This Island (though Nunsense runs a very close second!).

I have a strong passion for the arts--music in particular, and have the musical talent and enthusiasm to guide, empower, and improve the vocal tone, agility, flexibility, projection, and pitch for the willing student. The ideal student will already be able to match pitch, however.

*** Music Lesson Details ***
Every student is different--diversity is the spice of life! I tend to tailor my teaching style to the needs of the student. I do expect each student to work on their craft outside of "class" (even if it's just 10-15 minutes of practice a day) and come eager to learn. My teaching style is a co-creative process when it comes to helping students reach their goals. My demeanor is gentle and humor-filled, yet firm. Whether you're preparing for an audition (with all the mental, emotional, and physical energy and health that goes into it), want to hone your harmonizing skills, or just want to strengthen what's already inside of you to the next level for fun, I can help!

It's very important for my students to have a lot of fun as they are singing into their power and gaining more confidence not only in their vocal tone, projection and pitch, but in life as a whole!

*** Specialties ***
My specialties are gospel, pop, R&B, vocal harmonies in small and large groups, and jazz, though I have been classically trained by some of the best vocal coaches over the years.

On piano: Vocalists have asked me over time to teach them the basics on piano to help them read music and accompany themselves by knowing the correct chords. It's a non-traditional approach that combines piano books appropriate for the situation as well as creative ways to play contemporary tunes simply by knowing the chord progressions. So the students learn music theory and harmony in the context of piano that can be applied vocally as well.

On being an economist: Economics has been my trade and training since 1993. I've been an analyst at the Florida Legislature as well as consulted in the private sector, but my first love has always been teaching. I've been teaching the intro to micro- and macroeconomic classes consistently since the beginning of 2007 at Southern Methodist University. The algebra comes up a lot in these classes, so I've often ended up tutoring students one one in algebra as well. I was thrilled when TakeLessons added academic tutoring to their offerings in addition to music lessons. :)

***Economics and Algebra Lesson Details***

My students range in varying analytical and mathematical ability, so I meet them where they are when they come to office hours. Sometimes it just takes creating something concrete and practical from something that appears to be quite abstract. Sometimes it's catching up on the math. My approach is the same for any one-on-one endeavor outside the classroom. My goal is for each of my students to succeed!

and piano music, the students have to provide notebooks.

*** Specialties ***
Classical piano,accompaniment, theory.
Church music

h beginner to advanced students of any age. I also can provide pro and amateur electric guitarists an in-depth study of correct hand postures and left-hand/right-hand technique which can help to refine their overall technique and stylistic approach. I can also advise professional electric guitarists on their electronics, effects pedals, and amplifiers to achieve their own individual sound. I also teach Bass, and reading the Bass clef.

My teaching specialties include: Solfeggio, Sight Reading, Music Theory, Scales and Modes, Left and Right Hand Technique, Blues Progressions, Jazz Standards the Classical Repertoire, Flamenco styles, techniques and repertoire, and the works of Sor, Giuliani, and Carcassi, Brouwer, Aguado, Villa-Lobos, Sabicas and Paco de Lucia.

I have an in-depth knowledge of the stylistic approaches and techniques of such guitarists as Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, and SRV to name a few, and I can teach you the components they use to build their signature licks.

As a rule I only transcribe to give the students examples for lessons. I intend for all of my students to grow as musicians, so my lessons do not consist solely of transcribed solos and riffs.

I have a vast library of music, so I can draw from my own resources to teach you, or from a method of your choosing.

My schedule has a few openings right now. I do teach outside of my stated teaching radius, but ONLY at the 60 minute rate.

I teach people of all ages, from children to adults. I believe everyone is on an even keel, if they are willing and eager to learn.

*** Lesson Details ***
Emphasis on classical posture and technique.
Emphasis on sight-reading.
All students learn to play basic blues and jam
Technique varies depending on the particular style the student wishes to learn.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I presently don't teach in my home studio. I can bring a folding music stand or extra footstool if necessary.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a limited number of learning materials such as copied exercises, listening or practicing CD on occasion. However, I feel that it is the student's responsibility to provide their own guitars, and the bulf of their own learning materials and necessary electronic equipment. This can include footstools, music stands, method books, amps, cables, pedals, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I've been playing guitar for 25 years, and this has given me the time to study, perform, and perfect many styles of guitar playing.

I studied classical and flamenco guitar with Robert Guthrie for 4 years before and after my studies in the SMU program. I've also played in jazz and rock ensembles since the age of 14. I studied with Chuck Pangburn, pro jazz cat, and Brad McLemore, an indie rock songwriter, early on in my studies as an adolescent.

I encourage most students to learn to play on a classical or nylon-string guitar early on in order to develop proper technique, posture, sensitivity, and sensibility. I also encourage all students to learn to sight-read at a very early point in their studies. Once, this hurdle is cleared many other challenges are easily surpassed.

Presently, I am developing a new method which incorporates solfeggio, blues and popular music forms, and improvisational playing. I also am exploring the vanguard of new guitar technology such as the Moog Guitar, analog effects, and various guitar synthesizers.

I try to introduce an understanding of music theory early on so that students develop a full comprehension of not only the written language of music, but also the sonic-aural language of music.

I also studied theory, piano, sight-singing, and music-production extensively. I graduated Magna Cume Laude with a Bachelor of Music-Media from UTA. After school, I spent 9 months interning/assistant engineering with acclaimed musician/composer/producer Brad Nyght at The Bakery Studio in Dallas- whose credits include being the drummer for The Michael Gungor Band and Desperation Band. Then, got hired as an on-staff session musician and music producer at Drive35 Productions. I have also played guitar, mandolin, and bass for multiple pit orchestras and guitar for the North Lake Jazz Ensemble with director Jim Eger.

My teaching style varies from student to student. Music is a wonderfully diverse subject and every student has his own aspirations. I will do my best to cater each lesson to the student's goals and interests. Whether that is classical guitar method, rock, jazz, folk, country, pop or anything in between.

I have an excellent internet connection and microphone set up for online lessons. I also utilize screen-sharing to make the lessons as close to real life as possible.

A few of my favorite artists include: Michael Gungor, Joe Pass, Andrew Bird, Chopin, Led Zeppelin, Glen Hansard, and Radiohead.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will vary significantly from student to student. Not only does every student have different goals in mind, they all learn differently as well. I do my best to customize my lessons for each student's goals and needs. A typical guitar, bass, ukulele, or piano lesson may involve music-reading, chord studies, technical work, scale practice, theory, and of course learning awesome songs!

I consider myself a healthy balance between professional and light-hearted. As much as I want to make efficient use of the lesson-time, my primary goal is for the student to truly understand and enjoy music.

I have worked hard to be a flexible musician and teacher. I am competent in jazz, rock, classical, contemporary, blues, worship, country, and beyond and will be happy to teach any (or all) of these styles to any student.

*** Studio Equipment ***

Drive35 Productions:

-Large live tracking space
- Medium sized dead tracking space
- Pro Tools HD
- External Pres/Compressors/EQ (WARM, Manley, Vintech, etc.)
- DDA mixing console
- Several acoustic/electric/bass guitars (Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, Cort, Ibanez, Gibson, etc.)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- Gibson Mandolin
- Percussion
- Full drum kit
- 4 control/mixing rooms/practice spaces
- Breakroom
- Music stands/chairs
- Princeton Reverb, Vox AC15, Marshall, Ampeg amplifiers
- Several keyboards/controllers
- Rhodes
- Vintage organs
- Neumann U87, Senheissers, several SM57's, Lautin Audio Oceanus, Oktavas, AKG C414's

My at home studio:

- Chairs
- An 88-key Casio Privia keyboard
- Professional grade recording equipment (003r interface, behringer ada8000 with BLA mod, RNC by FMR, and more)
- High speed Internet access
- A printer
- A library of music resources
- Novation Launchkey MIDI controller
- Rode K2 condensor microphone
- Sm57
- Several Naiant stereo pair microphones
- 2 acoustic guitars (Cort and Zaeger), 2 electric guitars (Epiphone CS Custom, Fender Nashville Tele)
- An electric bass guitar (Epiphone Thunderbird with Bartolini Pickups)
- Lanakai Ukulele
- A Savannah Mandolin
- Double input amplifier (vox AC15C1)
- Music stand
- Metronomes/tuners
- Recording studio quality monitors (Yamaha HS8s)
- Large pedal board and pedal chain

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in contemporary, rock, blues, and worship guitar, but have extensive experience in classical and jazz guitar as well. I am also an on-staff session guitar player for Drive35 Productions and can help anyone interested in the skills necessary to play for a studio.

For piano, I teach beginner to intermediate level students in a variety of genres. I use piano on a daily basis for composing, arranging, and performing.

For bass, I can also teach a variety of genres. I specialize in blues/rock/contemporary but have experience in classical and jazz bass as well.

For ukulele, I specialize in pop music adaptation and classical.

For mandolin, I teach basic beginner music skills- reading and strumming techniques.

g, and more. Even piano lessons start with learning chords. Chords are what the musicians play behind the vocals.

Give me thirty minutes of your time and I will show you why students keep coming back to me, even after stopping for a while. After getting to know you, we can move to hour long lessons if warranted.

*** Lesson Details ***
Note Reading provided on request only.

Beginner Guitar - We start with simple chords and eight easy one-verse songs. These teach chords, timing, hand technique, ear training, song construction, and the start of music theory.

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar - all of the above plus tablature, different styles, advanced chord theory, performance, lead guitar, and more.

Beginning Piano - We start with simple chords and go straight into the songs the students like. These teach chords, timing, hand technique, ear training, song construction, and the start of music theory. I can teach you every major chord on piano in one sentence.

Bass Guitar - We start with learning the location of notes on the neck and move immediately into major chords so you can start playing with songs. The chords are divided into their single notes, but viewed as chords because that is what the other musicians are playing during the vocals.

Banjo - I teach from the book "I Can Teach Myself Banjo" but you really need a teacher/mentor to show you all the things that seeing and being able to ask questions covers that just can't be covered in a book.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, amplifiers, cords, computer, free WiFi, all in a spacious room with a window for parents to view the teacher and student. Parents have a large, comfortable waiting area. Restrooms and water fountain provided.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in mentoring, being a friend as well as a teacher. I have never gotten mad at a student and never will.

I have written three books on chord theory, "Chordmaster Chord Theory for Keyboard," "Chordmaster for Beginner Piano Students," and "Chordmaster Chord Theory for Guitar." You can learn more about these online.

You can read my article for Takelessons.com at http://takelessons.com/blog/lead-guitar-tips. Just paste the address in your browser.