Guitar Lessons in Beltsville, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

My first passion has always and will always be music. I have been involved in music performance all my life, from singing in church at the age of four to being in performing arts magnet programs at Hyattsville Middle School and Suitland High School. I formed a love for psychology later in life. Fortunately, I have found a field of study that will allow me to pursue both at once, music therapy. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Students that work with me start with a free 30 minute consultation either at my studio or over Skype. The student and I meet, I ask a lot of questions, and then at the end of the session I provide the student with a long-term and short-term curriculum plan. If, after the consultation, the student decides to take a slot, I provide them with an assignment to complete before our next lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

My approach varies depending on the student's skill level and chosen instrument, but for beginners I always try to get them familiarized with their instrument: teaching them the basics of reading music and how to navigate the different keys (or strings, etc.). From there I start teaching various musical concepts, the rudiments of music theory, and begin introducing them to different styles of music. When the student is advanced enough, I start having them run through my own custom designed technique and skill drills, and have them start selecting music that they would like to perform on their own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with John W. Shaum piano course. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Michael has over 8 years of experience teaching students from age 6 through adult, from directing large ensembles (70+) to private lessons. He specializes in teaching singing, but also has taught beginning guitar and piano lessons, composition, music theory and history, and digital recording. Read More