Guitar Lessons in Madison, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Classical Guitar

Each lesson starts with technical exercises, follwed by repertoire. Each student does theory during the lesson with twenty questions at the end. During this time, I do all review theory material. Difficult passages are marked with a "P" chart. They have to play the difficult part four times and get a "P" for each perfect playing. Every fifth time they have to repeat from the beginning to integrate the difficult part with the rest of the song. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I consider a number of variables when determining what and how to teach guitar to a student. First, I have to know what kind of music the student enjoys. Next, I need to know what level guitar player they are. If Im teaching a beginning guitarist, I will typically spend a majority of the lesson utilizing fun methods to build basic technique. If a student doesnt have a technical foundation, it may not benefit them to present them with music theory in the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Double Bass Mallet Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have had great success in continually trying to adapt my methods to what works best for each student. This makes the lesson very personal for the student as well as very fresh and exciting for me. I have had 8 different piano teachers, varoius band directors, college professors, personal private flamenco and jazz lessons. I have played with some of the best players in St. Louis- many of which were also university professors or symphonic performers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Bass Guitar

I began teaching almost five years ago privately freshly out of high school. I taught for two years privately and then taught with a music company for the last two and one-half years. Because of my extensive classical and jazz training, teaching beginning all the way to advanced students was a pleasure.I have found that every student has their own learning style and that it is my duty as an instructor to adapt to their particular learning style.I pride myself on being a versatile, engaging and personable instructor. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

All music can be broken down into three categories: melody, harmony and rhythm. I tend to explore everything we do by observing how the given material utilizes one of these three elements (with rhythm being chief!). I love to instill the ideals that I have learned from my mentors into my own students. All guitar students are taught to think as musicians and not just as guitar players. I often think back on some of Miles Davis's famous words, "If it sounds right, it is right!". Read More