Charles Town Music Lessons

atles, U2, Paul Simon, Tori Amos, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, and B-52's.

*** Lesson Details ***
For beginners, I generally use the Bastien Beginner series starting at the Primer Level and going through to Level Four. Depending on the student, going through the beginner level can take anywhere from four to six years. I use a lesson book, supplemental song book which features concepts learned, and a Theory book for written homework. Within 3-6 months, starting at the Primer Level, student will be reading notes on the musical staff and playing short pieces with both hand together.

Intermediate level students work on repetoire pieces from classical, ragtime, modern, jazz and popular music.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students need to have a piano or keyboard in their home

I am thoroughly background checked every year and work with local after school programs in the area.

ears. His students generally range anywhere from 4-70+ years old and come from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of proficiency, from basic beginners to advanced. Some of his students have also gone on to pursue careers in music, others have just learned as a hobby, and some have been somewhere in between the two. All are welcome!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in living room with couches, chairs, cables/amps, as well as extra guitars (acoustic and electric) and a bass guitar, if needed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide amps and stands, etc if needs be. However, if they are already provided for the student's sake/in terms of the student (i.e. I'll bring the equipment needed for myself), this would be ideal.

*** Specialties ***
Pop, rock, jazz, blues, classical, metal and funk.

of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Workshop, and the Loudoun Fairfax Music Fellowship.

to 20 countries as a musical director for the showband.

In 2011 he released his debut record "The Long Road Taken" independently with his group(composed of session musicians)the "RDP Project" wherein it featured all of his original compositions, describing it as :"The Long Road Taken is an amalgamation of the different facets of jazz,particularly in a quartet setting".

He has performed with Victor Jones( renown drummer) at the Zinc bar in New York and at Skippers in Newark,New Jersey.He has also performed with other Jazz artists such as Eliane Amherd ,Elin Kathleen Melgarejo,Doug Little,Mel Davis and have attended master classes by the great trumpet player Eddie Henderson,jazz great Charlie Byrd,jazz legends Ray Brown and Herb Ellis just to name a few.
Ray's playing and improvisational style is described as modern -which blends the relaxed and ductile articulation which is akin to horn players,but yet deeply grounded in the jazz tradition of swing, melody and the blues.

Degrees/training: Bachelor of Music (Major in Classical Guitar) University of the Philippines.

*** Travel Equipment ***
guitar or guitar and amplifier

*** Specialties ***
jazz and classical

allow her students to express themselves in their individually unique ways. Donna looks forward to working with new students from the Winchester area.

Donna G's Education:
DMA Candidate in Voice Performance, Shenandoah Conservatory
MM Voice Performance, Michigan State University
MM Choral Conducting, Michigan State University
BM Music Education and Vocal Performance, Northwestern University

*** Lesson Details ***
The goal of Donna's voice studio is to promote vocal arts and current activities in the various public schools and communities represented in the studio. Donna also enjoys playing piano, vocal coach accompanying, community theatre, working with diverse singing styles from classical to musical theatre and jazz/pop, songwriting, and designing individual curriculum that allow her students to express themselves in their individually unique ways. Best known for preparing singers for music and theatre auditions, Donna also enjoys encouraging singers to find public venues in which to share their talents and accomplishments. Such venues include school, community, recitals, or church worship experiences.

Donna's teaching style and personality can be described as "easily approachable with an emphasis on personal growth". Additionally, she is known for promoting relatively high standards so that her singers feel continuously challenged and inspired to work toward creative and artistic expression and performance goals.

*** Travel Equipment ***
If I must travel to a student's home, I would need him/her to provide a piano or keyboard. I can bring music books/repertoire. If the student wishes to drive to my home studio, I can provide a piano as well as a large vocal and piano music library.

*** Specialties ***
~Certified Lovetri Somatic Voicework (sm) at Shenandoah University Summer Vocal Music Institute
~specializing in opera vocal styles as well as ability to cross-train voice for musical theatre and pop/rock styles
~ability in vocal coach accompanying on piano/keyboard
~lyricist and songwriter for rock bands over the past 20 years
~musical director for musical theatre productions for 15 years

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.