Guitar Lessons in Huntington Beach, CA

Brent L

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
It's still a process; desire increases evermore. Music is something one can learn to love and develop passion. Everything in life can be related to music and the revelation of life being enriched by music. It decided for me.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Some family members play instruments. But the ones who don't play and only curate music, they are ones who can reveal the most about art. Some play, some don't, but they've all inspired me as fans of music.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Rock. It's simultaneously easy and difficult, while being the bridge from European Classical to Rural American Blues and it's English Reimagining, and on with it's infinite possibilities.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Kept and open mind and desire to explore favorite instrumentalists and find out "How do they do that?" I found an equal love and appreciation of the trumpet, drums, piano, guitar, bass, vocals, etc. But I simply determine myself primarily a guitarist, but with the capability to think like multi-instrumentalist.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Screenwriting, Stand-up Comedy or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitor. Something in the arts, but whether we work in music or crafts or teaching, we strive to be masters of our art.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
30 minutes to 6 hours of noodling, jamming, writing and recording. Build rapport with the instrument or teacher/student, let the direction of music flow while implanting the teaching techniques for the music.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
B.A. in Songwriting: Music Education from Berklee College of Music and an M.F.A. in Instrumental Studies from California Institute of the Arts. I knew to be a better musician, I needed an education and mentorship. I found it in the albums I grew up listening to and the private instructors near home.. But I also found it on the college level.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
"Nomad" by Santana. A lesser-known heavier instrumental from an often neglected "guitar vocalist". Every song I learn to perform or write to perform is a dream piece because I put my own thing into it, whether it's Beethoven or AC/DC.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Required reading and studying of most well-known method books. Effective selection of applicable lessons, particularly the books of Hal Leonard and Songsterr and Guitar Pro. Music software is helpful, but not essential. Sometimes your cell phone will suffice in a student's music education.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Successful student talent shows and honorary performances at city government events. School officials and music colleagues give positive reinforcement. My favorite success story is when a student forms a band and becomes a songwriter.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Songwriting. You need your capabilities on the instrument to flow at the speed of your creativity. If you want to write something, you need the instrument to not hold back the ideas being written.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
The frequencies emitted and versatility of the guitar adapts to any musical environment. I felt more capable with the guitar than on drums or behind a microphone or with a trumpet.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
The completion of our debut album and application of learned techniques to positively affect the listener. Weekly performances with more experienced players. Teaching others the art of music and seeing the inspiration in the student as my teachers had seen in me. The affirmation of "cool".

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Just a little every day, makes up for an hour of cramming. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is more productive than ten to fifteen hours a day.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
When a child expresses an interest in music and how an instrument functions, then a child can soon determine a favorite artist or song and from where the song was first heard.

When will I start to see results?
After five hours of built rapport and implementation of lesson plans, the student will have a solid foundation for playing the rudiments of the instrument. After ten hours of lessons, the student will be able to play favorite songs and after fifteen hours, the student will have the tools to learn songs independently.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Craig Beck and Joe LoPiccolo were my first private instructors. A wealth of knowledge and sunny disposition makes for a great teacher. However, the first music teachers were my parents who introduced me to the music of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Santana, Miles Davis and Metallica. Eventually I found mentors in my teachers at Berklee and CalArts.

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