Guitar Lessons in Orlando, FL

Instruments: Guitar Violin Mandolin Fiddle Music 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?
When people started telling me that's what I should do.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I decided by seeing other musicians play and them told me ?"Its not that hard, you just have to DO it (practice occasionally at your leisure)

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Brown Sugar, by the Rolling Stones, because it has such a unique sound (being in G tuning and utilizing special chording and embellishments to the chords), and it is such a rousing song, that it transforms the audience form lackluster to being lively and dancing. Although the original recorded words were offensive, I change those words a bit, so the song is not offensive, as do the Rolling Stones themselves, when they play in concert.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
1. Always keep your instrument HANDY (ex. on a music stand, where you can reach over and pick it up often) - not in a case, and put away. 2. Go slow, and increase speed as is comfortable for you. 3. No need to keep to a strict schedule for prctice. just do it now & then, when it suits you. You'll feel better about it that way, and your prctices will be more like fun than work.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Ordinarily age 10 (although some have done well at younger ages). Kids learn to read and write as early as age 6 or 7, so some kids would be good for starting lessons even that young.

When will I start to see results?
After the very FIRST lesson. (ex. with the guitar, just 3 simple chords will allow you to play literally hundreds of songs and tunes) Same with the mandolin. Even with the violin you could walk away after just 1 hour, already able to play a simple, short tune melody.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I was inspired by a guitar player, who was a friend, and who played on stage. I got my first lessons from him.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
No special reason. I play 3 instruments (guitar, violin/fiddle, and mandolin) all in equal amounts. I love all 3, and neither is primary to the other.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Classic rock on the solid body electric guitar (Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, the Cream, Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young) On the violin - popular songs like the Christmas songs Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, Silent Night, Jingle Bells, New Years Eve song (Auld Lang Syne), Summertime, America the Beautiful, You Are My Sunshine, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Santa Lucia, O Sole Mio, Never on Sunday, etc European fiddle tunes (bordering on classical violin) - I like the melodies, and general tone of the tunes. American fiddle tunes are good too, but they aren't as complex and musical as the European tunes, which are similar to classical music. These tunes were all originally dance music, but they have been modified slightly (jazzed up), to make them more as listening music, and I teach students how to do this themselves, for any tune they may play. I also like Bluegrass mandolin, and rock music on the guitar. I like them all very much. Bluegrass - a combination of Country, Folk, and Jazz.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Being good music listener.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Bowing on the violin/fiddle.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I do have a book that I refer to for my mandolin lessons. It is very instructive, and especially for movable chords.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Best thing is to just pick up the instrument at random times when you feel like it, and play with it. This is fun and becomes very useful practice as well.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Playing the baroque piece, Rights of Man (in E minor) on the violin Also, playing the Rolling Stones song Brown Sugar, in open G tuning, on the guitar (either acoustic or electric)

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