Singing with Andrew V.

If you want to learn what they teach in the guitar program (GIT) at Musicians Institute here in Hollywood, but don't want to spend $30k on tuition and living expenses to do it... Or, if you are planning to attend GIT yourself and want to get way ahead of the curve early, so you too can graduate with top honors... Schedule some lessons with me, at a fraction of the GIT price-tag! Beginning, intermediate and advanced guitar players will all benefit greatly from the vast wealth of guitar- and music-related information and experience that I have to offer (no brag, just fact). My influences include, but are by no means limited to: Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Sting, The Cure, Duran Duran, Prince, Lady Gaga, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Miles Davis, Christina Aguilera, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky...and nearly everyone else making interesting music in the world. *** Lesson Details *** I am a GIT graduate and will teach you everything they teach at Musicians Institute, one-on-one. Whether you want to learn scales, arpeggios, chords, music theory, harmony, arranging, reading music, writing music, ear training, rhythm guitar styles (rock, pop, jazz, funk), soloing techniques (rock, metal, pop, fusion), songwriting (on acoustic and electric), live performance (pre-show preparedness, eliminating stage fright, developing a professional stage presence), using fx pedals, ideal amplifier settings, finding your signature guitar tone, music production (recording, mixing and mastering), music business (creating your press kit, marketing your music, negotiating payments and contracts)...you name it, I've studied it and will teach it to you! *** Studio Equipment *** When I'm not touring and doing sessions, I spend the majority of my time in Hollywood, where I keep a small but full-featured music studio on a nice, quiet little street just off Hollywood Blvd. It's great because it contains all of the necessary items I need to maintain my skills, improve my abilities, and expand my knowledge (sofa, chair, office desk/chair, several amplifiers, guitars, fx pedals, metronome, etc). And in terms of the lessons I teach, while there isn't an on-site waiting area, there are several shops, restaurants and a small Fresh & Easy grocer with a nice, quiet alfresco seating area just a block or so away. What's more, the Hollywood & Highland mall is only a few blocks away. Parking is very convenient in the LA Fitness subterranean garage, the entrance to which is located on North Sycamore Ave. The fee for parking is free for one hour, with easy, no-hassle validation from Fresh & Easy. Note: street parking is permit-only and you will be ticketed...so DO NOT park on the street! *** Travel Equipment *** Please bring your instrument, a notebook, pencil, and, if you would like to record your lessons to have and review afterward, a pocket-size recording device. I will typically record moments when a student performs an example of something s/he has been working on, or an improvisation regarding the same. I do this strictly for the purpose of (a) having an example to which to compare and measure the student's progress and improvement over time, and/or (b) to capture a 'magical moment' of musical inspiration that might prove useful to the student's artistic/musical development, etc. At the student's request, I will provide a copy of said recordings (if any) on a CD. All such recordings are kept 100% confidential, are not distributed nor disseminated for any reason whatsoever, and are deleted at such time that the student discontinues his/her lessons with me. *** Specialties *** I am a very style-flexible musician and guitarist. Some really great books I've used in my own studies and lessons include: Pepe Romero's 'Guitar Style and Technique,' Ted Greene's 'Chord Chemistry,' George Russell's 'The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization for Improvisation,' Peter Magadini's 'Polyrhythms,' et al.