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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in Allen . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
I believe communication is of the upmost importance. I communicate with parents to let them know how the student is doing, what we are working on, and what to do next. As mentioned above, I tailor to my student's needs based on their understanding and pace. Some students move a little slower than others in certain areas, and some move faster. For example, one student of the same age may understand sheet music quickly, but have a hard time with scales. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Trombone Drums Orchestral Percussion Djembe
I have been teaching students privately for over a decade, starting with teaching trombone in high school, continuning with drumming students in college, and teaching professional-leve drums and percussion, advanced trombone, and beginner guitar students. My primary passion lies in West African music, and I really enjoy bridging cultural gaps in my teaching. At the same time, I am rooted in American jazz, western classical music, and rudimentary style drumming. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar
Throughout college I have taught freelance to different students. I have helped peers study and work through new pieces.I maintained a private student schedule while also continuing my education. I have been playing guitar and piano for years and am well versed in many different styles Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
Every person has different strengths, weaknesses, motivators, and goals. I like to keep all of these things in mind before I start designing a lesson plan for each person. I like to make sure that I am teaching both the ear to listen and the eye to read, so I make sure I can improve the development of both by providing effective sight=reading and aural exercises in every lesson. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Cello Bass Guitar Double Bass
For bass guitar I use the Mel Bay Bass Guitar Method which takes a student from creating rocking bass lines to building kicking bass licks from chord changes.Double Bass students will have classical training, techniques to build a solid, warm tone, use of the bow, and orchestral repertoire, including solo pieces. For guitar I use the Mel Bay Chord Guide Method, which shows on easy to understand positions for chord playing. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I've been teaching for the last 12 years and over the course of that time I've taught hundreds and hundreds of students every age, skill level and interest. I've taught for studios, schools, music stores, In home, online you name it. After graduating from the musicians institute in 2007 its been one of my main gigs. I've toured all over America, Australia and Europe and put out a few albums as well as worked as a music director for the school of rock which involved casting a running a rock themed show. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I started teaching guitar lessons in 1999 (20 years this year!) Since those days I've gotten two degrees and taught at colleges, and private institutions, as well as high school and middle schools. I've found that combining textbook music instruction along with learning to play some of the music the student is listening to keeps them growing and engaged. Most importantly it makes learning music fun! I love jazz and I encourage efforts of composition and improvisation to help the student take ownership of the notes they're learning. Read More
Instruments: Drums
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Preferably a student would do at least 10-15 minutes of practice every day, if not more. Even if you set up a practice pad in front of your television set, just spend a little time during the week. As a teacher, I usually know if a student has practiced because I can see the difference when a student progresses from week to week.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child is banging on things around the house they are probably ready. Or they may have seen someone play live or on tv and they want to try it. It is not a problem when a child decides it's not for them. A trial lesson is always welcome to see if they want to continue.
When will I start to see results?
Everyone is different and some excel more quickly than others. In my experience, most people can see results after the first or second lesson.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I saw some drummers on television and wanted to try it out.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I played at Madison Square Garden with my parents in the audience. That was one of the highlights of my life. Being signed to a major record label and touring the country was certainly an accomplishment to be proud of but playing at the Garden was special.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
I have had a student go through Berklee College of Music on full scholarship. I cannot take full credit for that but I had a lot to do with his development. I believe that his joining the high school marching band was also a major contributor to his education.
Many of my students play at their school talent shows and it's always a thrill for me to be invited to those shows.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
4 way independence can be a challenge. All of your limbs can be playing parts of the drums set at the same time playing different notes or rhythms.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Basic Syncopation for Drums is a book that works well for beginning students. We also study from several other books including, Elementary Drum Method, Syncopation for The Modern Drummer, Modern Reading Text in 4/4 and Funk Drumming by Jim Payne (one of my teachers). These books have enough variety for the student to get used to various ways to write drum music.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I'm inspired by other drummers as are most drummers. There is so much available today online that when I see something I want to try, that becomes my practice session. It also reminds me of things that I already know how to do but may have not used in a while. This includes beats I may not have played and were stored away in my brain. It's fun to go back to those things.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I already found a way to be in the music business even if it wasn't playing drums. I took a course on recording engineering and became an engineer/producer. After many years being the "organizer/manager" of bands, I also excelled at bringing order to chaos. So I managed a very successful record production company and worked with many well known recording artists. Some of these artists engaged me to help them with their projects including Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, David Lee Roth and more.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I love pop and rock music but I also like funk drumming like James Brown and others.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I played in a number of rock bands so I often asked the guitar players to show me things on guitar. The rest I picked up myself as I have a good ear for music. Again, the internet is a good resource for learning. Drummers and bass players are often aligned in a musical situation. Because of that, I am able to play some bass guitar as well.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music runs in my family. My dad had his own orchestra and was a wonderful piano player. We played together sometimes when I was a teenager. My mom was a tap dancer in her younger days and also played the piano. I have to add that both of my children are musical as well. My daughter has a wonderful singing voice and my son plays the drums and is an awesome DJ.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was at a point in my life when I needed to figure out where I was headed. I knew music was my love and I had to figure out how to make it work for me. I took a course to become a recording engineer. Then I went to music school and continued to play drums. I was in a band that got signed to a recording contract, so that was my defining moment...I was now a professional drummer.
After that played out and the band had run its course, I used my talents to work in the music industry in a managerial position, all the while continuing to play the drums.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Guitar lessons in Allen to students of all ages and abilities.
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