Markham, VA Bass Guitar Lessons

almost equally important reason why I do what I do is because even though I am an educator I am forever a student as well. I am constantly learning new things and trying to improve my craft as a musician and a teacher, and this job makes it all possible. Now, lets make some music!!!

Sincerely,
VJ B.

*** Lesson Details ***
In my 7-plus years of professional teaching experience I have encountered students from all walks of life. All of them have come from very diverse musical backgrounds and interests. I have taught students from ages 5 to 75 styles of music ranging from Metallica to Michael Jackson, Miles Davis to Justin Timberlake, and everything in between. I construct my lessons based on the student's skill level, musical taste, and personal goals. Students will be encouraged to learn the music that is aesthetically pleasing to them, while gaining knowledge of how to build a solid foundation in guitar playing and overall musicianship.

P.S. (to parents of younger students)

Studying music and learning an instrument has been proven to increase levels of focus and overall attention span in many young children. Several parents whose children I work with, ages 5-10 or so, have noticed attention and concentration levels trending upward in their child's other school work and activities as a result of studying music and learning the guitar!

***Pricing***
My pricing shows only 30 minute and 60 minute rates. However, if you are interested in a 45 minute lesson or a lesson longer than 60 minutes we can certainly negotiate a price!

*** Specialties ***
Jazz, Rock n Roll, Blues, R&B, Funk, Pop, Hip Hop, Music Theory/Reading, Ear Training, Music Performance

m the Florida Department of Education. I have taught in Florida as a preferred substitute for general music classes, K-12. In college, I have given study sessions for music theory levels ranging from 4-part writing to post-serialism.

Degrees:
Doctorate of Musical Arts: Guitar Performance; Shenandoah University, expected May 2017/2018
Master of Music: Guitar Performance; University of Akron, May 2014
Bachelor of Music: Guitar Performance; Stetson University, 2011

While giving lessons:
I ensure that every student receives fundamental foundation pertaining to the subject. While learning the basics, I advise that the student organizes their lessons and materials in a way that displays progress over time. With the proper knowledge, we can treat the heart of a subject with refinement in order to grasp it's purpose and reason---whether its music or math.

Why?
My students have grown with confidence through a sense of accomplishment. Success does not only affect a person's well-being but can also impact other dimensions of their lives.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Equipment available if needed:

Foot stools
Music stands
Pencils
Complete home recording studio
Computer/tablet/smartphone w/ internet
Speakers and playback devices
Reference books

*** Travel Equipment ***
Each student is expected to bring with them (if applicable):

Notebook or log
Reference/score materials
Instrument(s) and case
Accessories
Portable sound recorder (optional)

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz and Rock Styles.

Performance, Music Theory, Arranging, Composition.

Elementary Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calc.

en the songwriter, arranger, and bandleader for several original music groups. Stress Factor Zero combines rock with funk and jazz. Cloud Ex is an acoustic group combining Afro Cuban and Peruvian percussion with folk rock songs. His most recent band Stratosphere is a modern rock and funk band for artistic rockers and visionaries. They blend diverse styles of rock music with a fiery blaze of Latin percussion, sensuous saxophones, and poetic melodies with a message. Their first CD received radio airplay on over forty stations across the U.S. and Canada, and they are currently working on their third CD. Stratosphere performs throughout Southern California and is currently setting up several short tours in various cities across the U.S., Europe, and South America.

*** Lesson Details ***
Well structured lesson plan covering all aspects of music, specifically designed to help you reach your individual goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic piano, full keyboard, 4 guitars, bass, amps, microphones, Pro Tools recording equipment, and seating for parents

*** Styles ***
Rock, funk, jazz, country, blues, fusion, folk, R&B, and classical

ave been teaching and performing for over a decade both in the US, and in England. I have played in various bands and have produced independent artists. I have worked for a recording studio and for various academic institutions including the Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York city.

I obtained my degree from Purchase College in New York and am a member of their Conservatory of Music.

*** Lesson Details ***
I construct lessons for each individual student depending on their musical tastes, goals, and current skill level etc. I want each person to get as much from their time studying with me as possible. Within three to six months, I'll have you working on timing, theory, ear training, improv, and songs/styles of music you may be interested in. I'm laid back, however, I expect at least the minimum practice time between lessons, which I'll change throughout the course of our time together depending on your skill level etc. Practice materials I draw up are included. I write out everything in plain English and do not require the use of sheet music!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Small recording studio, piano, various guitars, bass, and amps.

*** Travel Equipment ***
guitar, bass, laptop, digital recorder.

*** Specialties ***
I concentrate on ear training, improvisation, and explore styles ranging from pop, alternative, rock, prog, and blues, to metal, funk, and folk etc. I do not require sight reading skills for any level of student. Rather, I work with the student with theory and arrangement conventions to really understand the music. This intern, greatly sharpens their musical ear and helps them to learn music much faster because they understand how it is put together; why and how it works, etc.

***Teaching Special Needs***
I have experience teaching students who have been visually impaired,
blind, hearing impaired, or who have had mild learning disabilities. I
am also comfortable with a student bringing their service dog or
therapy dog to our lessons if they wish.

tinuous improvement, education, and training.

During the same 26 years of my business career, I have been a professional musician - session musician and teacher. I was formally trained at the American Conservatory of Music and the Chicago Musical College, both located in Chicago. I won the Presidential Scholarship in Classical Guitar Performance at the American Conservatory of Music and another full-ride scholarship in Classical Guitar Performance to attend the Chicago Musical College.

My primary Classical Guitar Instructor at both institutions was Paul Henry. I also studied Rock Guitar with Dave Uhrich while attending both institutions and privately studied Jazz Guitar with Scott Reed. I studied voice with Audrey Evans at the American Conservatory of Music and Robert Long at the Chicago Musical College.

I have participated in Classical Guitar Master Classes with:
• Hubert Kappel
• Dale Kavanagh
• Eleftheria Kotzia
• Bruce Holzman
• Stephen Aron
• Raphaella Smits
• Richard Provost
• Nicholas Goluses
• William Buonocore.

*** Lesson Details ***

I design lessons individually according to the needs and "wants" of each student. I specialize in developing and correcting technique in technique to improve the student's overall skill. Students that dedicate the time and effort each week to practicing see rapid and sustained results.

However, if you have a busy life and merely want to learn guitar for personal enjoyment, I will design your lessons to develop your skill at a pace that works for you, which can fluctuate according to your schedule.

***Young & Special Needs Students***

I teach children as young as 13 years old and adults to the age of 70 years old. When teaching younger children and individuals with special needs, it is significantly beneficial for parents to attend each lesson - I have parent seating available. When parent(s) attend lessons, the parent can assist the younger student while practicing during the week at home.

In my experience, the overall musical development and progress of younger students improve considerably when parents are involved.

***Thoughts on Musical Talent***

Musical talent is a wonderful gift, but correct technique is not easily acquired without proper instruction. Your skill level eventually plateaus and your ability to learn and perform more complicated music is inhibited, unless you have a solid foundation in music theory as it applies to your instrument(s) as well as proper technique.

I can help you build this solid foundation and will guide you through the development of musical skills; correcting flaws in technique is my specialty.

*** Studio Equipment ***

GUITARS & BASSES: Gibson, Charvel, Fender, Peavey, Cordoba, Guild, Takamine, Yamaha

GUITAR & BASS AMPS: Blackstar, Egnater, Fender, Line 6, Peavey, Roland, and Behringer

MICS: Mojave Audio, AKG, Audio Technica, CAD Audio, Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Studio Projects, and Yamaha

KEYBOARDS & SYNTHESIZERS: Korg, Roland, Yamaha, Casio

DRUMS: Pearl, Roland Digital

OUTBOARD GEAR: Universal Audio, JDK Audio, Alesis, Art, Audio Logic, Behringer, and Studio Projects

SOFTWARE: Cakewalk Sonar Platinum, Universal Audio UAD-2 Quad Flexi DSP, Soundtoys Bundle, Celemony Melodyne, Slate Digital FG-X, Steven Slate Drums Platinum, Antares Auto-Tune, Aspire, Antares Articulator, Choir, Harmony Engine, Throat, WAVES Waverider, OneKnob Series Bundle, CLA Artist & Kramer Signature, XLN Audio Addictive Drums, BBE Sonic Maximizer, Line 6 POD Farm 2.5 w/multiple packs

TakeLessons Articles I've Written:

Tips for Parents: Help Your Child Succeed in their Music Lessons
http://takelessons.com/blog/parents-help-children-succeed

Improving Guitar Technique
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-exercises-for-technique

Why Piano Theory is Important for ALL Musicians
http://takelessons.com/blog/piano-theory-for-all-musicians

Guitar Basics: Technique
http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-technique

How to Play the Song "Breathe" by Ana Nalick on Guitar
http://takelessons.com/blog/cool-songs-to-learn-on-guitar-breathe

ons on whatever the interests and strengths are for the student. For example, if you enjoy jazz more than classical we'll focus more on what you are particularly passionate about. I have also been a part of School of Rock Programs in which we provided performances for the students a la Jack Black. Please contact Takelessons to let the musical journey begin...

ful instruction, I will work with you to achieve your goals in a relaxed, and encouraging environment with positivity and praise.

ing college before moving to the Bothell store within the same organization. I also began teaching at the Andrew White School of Music around the same time. I teach beginners on both guitar and bass as well as jazz improvisation on guitar.

Jazz is a style of music I specialize in and I teach it like teaching a language as I firmly believe that jazz is a language. I teach improvisation to not only guitar, but to all instruments as the concepts are the same. Improvisation lessons are fun and interactive and challenge you to be creative, which is what art is all about!

My teaching method is very flexible, as I am very aware that students learning styles and goals vary greatly. I am a patient teacher who will work to help put a student in a position to be successful and achieve his or her goals through lesson plans and teaching methods tailored to meet the student's learning style. Seeing students succeed and have fun making progress and improving as a musician brings me a lot of joy!

There is nothing more frustrating for a student than feeling like they're treading water trying to teach themselves. My goal is to make the learning process as fun as possible! One of the ways I do that is giving the student the opportunity to experiment with improvisation and explore the instrument during lessons and for when they practice at home to supplement the more formal training. This helps students develop their own individual sound on the instrument from day one, is fun and interactive, and gives the student the chance to be creative when learning a new instrument.