Guitar Lessons in Oakford, PA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I am a kind, patient man who believes that learning to play music is it's own reward. I struggled frequently while I was learning the guitar, and I don't believe that there is a right or wrong pace to learning. Each student is different, but all students should feel excited about learning, and rewarded by the work that they put in. My style is simply to encourage students as they progress and address difficulties in a positive and and constructive method. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My method varies depending on the student. If the student wants a traditional musical approach, and is interested in learning notation and theory, then we will usually start with the Hal Leonard Book Series. If the student doesn’t want to learn notes or the more advanced musical concepts, I usually just start by teaching them simple songs that they know from the radio, TV Shows or movies. Something to get them really excited about learning and practicing, and songs that they recognize and can show others. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have published my own series of method books to cover a wide range student needs. In addition, I often create materials depending on the student's interests. For more formal styles, I will use traditional methods created by Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, Frederick Noad etc.. My philosophy of teaching is that lesson materials must match the students interests and ability. Methods and materials must be carefully chosen or created to move them to the next level of playing, without frustration or boredom. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I often get them started with the Faber piano series, then incorporate music theory along with their song requests. For beginning fretted string students (guitar/bass/ukelele), I like to start with the Hal Leonard method book to get started with reading notation, so that we cover more than just tabs and chords. For drum/percussion students, I'll have them start with a combination of Syncopation by Ted Reed and Peter Erksine's Drumset Essentials Volume 1. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have a love for teaching students of all levels and ages. My specialty as a guitarist is in jazz, but I bring that love for improvised music to a number of other styles: blues, rock, funk, acoustic/fingerstyle, country, folk, ska, reggae, RB etc. I graduated from Duquesne University in 2013 with a degree in jazz performance. Pittsburgh is a great jazz town with a fantastic local scene, which was a very fun and nurturing environment for me as a student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar

I began giving private guitar instruction towards the end of my college studies, and after graduation taught group and private lessons at a music school. At that school I taught a vast range of ages, skill levels, and instruments, from 4 year old beginners, to teenage experts, to adults who needed a brush-up. I learned the wondrous potential of motivated students with supportive parents as well as the futility of forcing an instrument or a style on a student that actually wanted to explore something else. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

My experience as an educator is from just teaching private lessons and running jazz combos for the past 5 years. I have always felt that being a well trained musician is the most importatnt part about being a teacher. You need to be well versed at your craft to convey what you want to your students. This is the preperation all teachers should hold themselves to. Personally, I play reguraly with groups such as: EBE LA Starz, Swift Technique, The Phonies, Whoaphat BrassBand, etc. Read More