Plano, 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!

nd more importantly any song you want to go over.

I feel learning to play your favorite songs is the most important and the most fun about guitar playing. After playing songs, some of the information given (scales, chords, theory, ear-training) starts to make some since and you begin to slowly figure the guitar out.

Theory and Ear-training I feel are very important to learn when trying to understand music. It just gives you a basic mathematical way of understanding how music works. It can be very frustrating to learn and takes some time to sink in so if you don't want to learn it then that is great. Ear-training is cool because when you start to understand it you can actually hear music and not just listen to it. You can listen to a chord progression on the radio and go home and play it and also improvise over it.

I encourage BEGINNERS through EXPERT to at least hear what I have to say. I have A LOT of information to give about the guitar. I played for ten years made 2 demo CDs, one full length album, another demo specifically for Metal Blade Records, was in a big cover band and so I thought I knew it all and was a great guitar player. Then I went to GUITAR SCHOOL in Hollywood and reality hit me.
I wasn't as good as I thought. When you hear the best guitar players in the world everyday for a year and a half like I did at Musicians Institute it makes you want to be better and practice, practice, practice. I learned everything there about guitar and music and I know the Right way to teach.

Please consider me for your guitar teacher I will make it fun and a good learning experience as well.

Thank you,
Ben

*** Lesson Details ***
It depends on what level the student is on and that is where we will go with the lesson. If you are a beginner we will start with the very basics. I try to make it to where you can easily understand everything taught. The most important part of the lesson is you are having fun with playing the guitar and also getting as much information as possible. Upper level students may want to go over a song they are learning or want to know about theory or chords. Usually we will talk about where you are at with your playing and then go from there.

Thanks.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic and electric guitar PA system, small amplifier for student

*** Travel Equipment ***
Books and paper. They should have guitar and pick

*** Specialties ***
Teaching Rock, metal, country lead, blues, ear training, theory solo improvization. Scales and chords and how they go together. Melodic soloing and chord melody. Can teach out of a book and can read music. But most importantly have fun and learn cool songs

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 have access to my computer and all of my teaching materials.
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. In addition I teach slap style bass guitar, as well as slide guitar. I am also a classical mandolin and tenor mandola player. I am currently the director of and first mandolin player for the Fort Worth Mandolin Orchestra.

Society, Slayer and many others.

Now off the road for a signifigant amount of time, Art has resumed teaching full time and is resuming enrolling students. Art has been a guitar teacher for over 6 years and has taught (and played) everything from taylor swift to metallica to james brown. He believes every student learns at their own pace and does not believe in a "one size fits all approach" for learning the guitar. He tailor makes every curriculum for the student and can help every individual achieve their goal whether its strumming around the campfire or wanting to dazzle crowds with technical wizardry.

*** Lesson Details ***
Students taking lessons from me can expect a balanced music lesson. A combination of practical skill based things such as technique, scales, theory but also learning your favorite songs from your favorite bands or artists. I bring conservatory based training mixed with real life world experience to students from my training at the Musicians Institute and the hundreds of gigs and recording sessions. I have a very laid back approach and believe that music lessons are healthiest and most fun activities a human being can engage in. I use a wide variety of curriculums based on the students skill levels and wants and needs. Whether you're an absolute beginner intermediate or advanced or you want to learn acoustic pop, funk or heavy metal i've performed it, recorded it and taught it. After a few months of lessons with me students can expect to be playing along to there favorite songs, able to improvise over chord progressions and developed some technique and sense of rhythm.

*** Studio Equipment ***
The lessons are taught in the living room with all equipment. Seating is available. Parking is on the street.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide copies of material as well as my own supplies from paper and pen to cabes tuners and amp. I expect the student to have a quiet space {assuming an in home lesson} to teach in as well as guitar, amp, and picks. I also provide the music stand and metronome.

*** Specialties ***
Various method books published by Musicians Institute press, Alfred and Hal leonard and cherry lane. Fluent in ALL styles - Rock, Pop, Country, Funk, R&B, and heavy metal etc etc. Also very fluent in sight reading, Theory and how it applies to the students prospective instrument as well as Ear Training

ty of North Texas’s One O’clock lab band in Spring of 2010.

As a Performer:

Andy is accomplished in jazz, classical, rock, r&b as well as well other styles of music. He has performed regularly with several jazz and original groups around the DFW area. He also has performed with and co-produced for recording artists from the Nashville, Miami and Washington D.C. areas. He also currently holds a position at First United Methodist Grapevine as guitarist, singer and part time arranger.

Service:
Andy also strongly believes that service to humanity is of the utmost importance. He has performed for and been a part of many worth while causes such as the Dallas Life Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, Food For Hunger Organizations, Medi Send, as well as Habitat for Humanity.

d 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.

, but can assist you in making the right choices to navigate your own way in the business. I offer private coaching to actors in theater and film, and singers in the US and abroad. I would love to share my knowledge and experience with you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I offer private coaching to children, teens, adults who have an interest in acting or singing performance, and for those who simply have an interest in performing or speaking in front of others. In addition to coaching those who wish to better their skills in acting, voice and speech, and singing, I also offer coaching for non-actors; i.e., attorneys, business professionals, teachers, politicians, pageant participants, and other creatives, who want to improve their public speaking and communication skills.

*** Studio Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Travel Equipment ***
High definition, quality camera for video and stills
High quality lighting equipment and MAC monitor
Ideal for video auditions and on-camera classes

*** Specialties ***
Acting for film, TV, theater, and commercials
Audition Etiquette and Technique
Light Career Coaching
Agent Ready Coaching
Voice and Speech
Public Speaking
Neutral American Speech
Singing; including Musical Theater

. Guitar and bass guitar lessons are available on a limited basis.

Riley employs the latest in teaching curriculum and uses software like Garage Band, Transcribe, Guitar Pro, Logic , Sibelius and Pro Tools to ensure students learn quickly and enjoy the process!

Due to his gigging schedule, regular student lessons are occasionally rescheduled for in the field "research" in the form of live shows. Unlike college professors, this "research" is used to rigorously test information in the "line of fire." This means students learn the latest techniques that work under real world conditions.

Don't settle for mediocre! If you're been looking for the best in learning guitar or bass, contact TakeLessons now!