Bellingham Music Lessons

fret across the fretboard. First, you need to learn how to speak guitar. This is like learning the basic language so we can communicate with each other.
You: "Why do I have to identify all the parts of the guitar?"
Me: "So when I tell you to strum over the sound hole, you won't mistake it for your ear."

-How to tune and care for your guitar such as changing strings
You: "Why do I need to learn how to tune my guitar and properly change my strings?"
Me: "So when you learn how to play the thing, it sounds good and stays in tune, and your neighbor's dog won't start howling when you pick up your instrument."

-Chords and Strumming: Open chords, Power chords, Barre chords, 7th chords, 9th chords, 1st and 2nd inversion chords. More chords than you can shake a stick at.
You: "Why do I need to learn chords?"
Me: "So you string chords together, and play a song, Silly."

-Scales (Major scales, Natural minor scales, Harmonic minor scales, Melodic minor scales, In every key and in six different positions)
You: "Why do I need to learn scales?"
Me: "Just to torture you. Just kidding! Scales build strength and speed and get your two hands working together. And scales are fundamental for learning licks and writing melodies later on down the road."

-Other fundamentals include chord chart reading, tablature reading, and specific technical skills such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, palm muting, using a pick, and finger picking styles.

MUSIC THEORY:
Strictly for impressing your friends and/or classmates. Ok, not really. Music theory is important, especially if you want to play other instruments down the road, and to give you a the "Big Picture" of music.

Fundamental theory you will learn includes
-Basic music notation (The music alphabet, rhythm, the staff, ledger lines, time signatures, etc)
-Major and Minor Scales and Key Signatures (You've heard about the Circle of Fifths. Now you'll be able to decipher it!)
-How to identify and play intervals (Major, Minor, Perfect)
-Chord theory (What makes a Major chord, well, Major; Minor chord, Minor. Diminished, Augmented, etc)
-Harmonic Analysis
You: "I've heard about this I IV V I progression stuff. What does that mean?"
Me: "In due time, Grasshopper"
-Transposition (Good for changing the keys of your favorite songs so you or your lead singer can sing them in his/her vocal range)

First we learn this stuff through take-home worksheets. Then, we apply what we know to the guitar and make it useful and practical.

Music history and appreciation. Ever wonder about the origins of the guitar and how it came about to be one of the most popular instruments played in modern time? Or who the great Blues guitarists were from the 30's and 40's and how they influenced later day Rockers such as Jimmy Page or Keith Richards? Or how about how modern Western music formed and is what it is today, starting with Ancient Greece, through the Middle Ages, to Beethoven, to Ragtime to popular music today? Yep, we got that covered. It's all about perspective.

Songwriting. So you're tired of playing other people's songs and it's time to get your thoughts on paper. Congratulations. You are officially an Artist as well as a Musician. I can teach you how to develop your lyrics and chord progressions into cohesive, tightly arranged songs sure to make your Mom or Girlfriend/Boyfriend proud. Songwriting expands the limits of learning, that simply copying another artist note-for-note cannot do. Tapping your "Creative Vein" is the ultimate path to learning music. Let's get started.

music performance. Alright, you got knowledge, you got skills, you got songs. You have the tools to get out there and show the world what you can do.

*** Studio Equipment ***
office/studio 5 guitars seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have my own guitar and curriculum. Students are expected to have their own instruments.

*** Specialties ***
Specializing in Rock, Folk, Country beginning guitar lessons. Focus on rhythm guitar, songwriting and performing. Incorporate music history and theory as well.

VOICE CURRICULUM INCLUDES:

VOCAL TECHNIQUE/KNOWLEDGE/MAINTENANCE:
-Anatomy of the voice
-Voice maintenance
-Body awareness, relaxation and posture
-Breath control and support
-Tone creation and range building
-Resonation
-Tone placement
-Diction

MUSIC THEORY:
-Basic music notation (The music alphabet, rhythm, the staff, ledger lines, time signatures, etc)
-Major and minor scales and key signatures
-Intervals (major, minor, perfect)
-Chord theory and harmonic analysis
-Transposition
-Aural and rhythm skills

MUSIC HISTORY AND APPRECIATION:
Have you ever how modern Western music formed and how it became what it is today? We’ll start with Ancient Greece, travel through the Middle Ages, learn about Classical composers such as Beethoven, and study different styles of music from Ragtime to today’s popular music all with listening examples to immerse you into the world of music history.

SONGWRITING
If you've grown tired of playing other people's music, then it’s time for you to get your songs on paper or recorded. I’ll teach you how to develop your lyrics and chord progressions into cohesive, tightly arranged songs. Songwriting expands the limits of learning that merely playing another artist’s music cannot do. Tapping your "creative vein" is the ultimate path to learning music.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Alright, you've got knowledge, you've got skills and you've got songs. You have the tools to get out there and show the world what you can do. But before you hit the local area open mic or book a gig, let's talk about music performance. You’ll learn simple, effective techniques such as strong stage presence and audience rapport.

her countless opportunities to perform, to participate in event planning, and to experiment with new music and arranging. She grew up participating in her mother's studio recitals at home and enjoys an annual family tradition of organizing and performing Christmas programs at church. One of Catherine's projects during her studies at the Manhattan School of Music was the Symposium Concert Series, which has led her to perform in apartment homes around the city and build a community of young artists. She has made countless arrangements for solo viola and viola with various ensembles which she often performs.

Catherine resides in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, Lawrence. She plays on a Raymond J. Melanson viola made in 1987.

*** Lesson Details ***
I'm able to travel to the student's home or teach at my home. Parents are welcome to sit in the lesson.

*** Studio Equipment ***
N/A

*** Specialties ***
Patience

and has received grants from the Rauschenberg Foundation, Department of Cultural Affairs, Brooklyn Arts Council, the Charles Mayer Foundation as well as The Roothbert Fund.

She loves dogs, hiking, cooking and gardening! She tailors her private lessons to individual students goals and needs.

helping you accomplish your musical goals.

that doesn't mean you can't have fun along the way!