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24 Years
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Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in Philadelphia . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
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: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
It is important to be musically ambidextrous: chances are, in your band's rehearsal, your other musicians will share ideas using tabs, not traditional notation. You can be the best note-reader on planet Earth, but if you cannot communicate a language others use, you find yourself stuck. I always incorporate music that my student likes to listen to, and frequently request Spotify or iTunes playlists for reference. I try to adapt pop songs into my curriculum (from their playlists) to teach chord theory and songwriting structure, and encourage students to write their own music. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Music Acoustic Guitar
I teach students to transfer my extensive knowledge of music to anybody that is willing to learn. I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old. Later on in life, I started playing bass, banjo, ukulele and mandolin. I play in several different orchestras and bands. My orchestra playing involves a local theater company, as well as various high schools. I also perform regularly for Musicians on Call, a not-for-profit organization that brings the power of music to patients' bedsides in the Philadelphia area. Read More
Instruments: Guitar
I worked various summer jobs and saved up to get my first guitar when I was 12 years old. My friends and I started a band during the first week of middle school and I've alwaysplayed in a band of some sortsince that day. In 2004 I graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry. Since thenI've been teaching guitar for over 10 years while releasing a number of internationally distributed albums and touring the world. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Flute Harmonica Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
There are often good lessons that go along with these pieces, and I pick pieces that are famous for good reason! For students of any level, it is useful to have a combination of repertoire that is more challenging, and pushes my students to see beyond their current skill level, as well as repertoire that allows them to enjoy the expression that is possible with their current skill level. There are 4 components to every lesson, and for me, every practice sessions as well: warm up exercises, technical exercises, repertoire, and play (aka performing the repertoire, improvising, writing music, etc). Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I have been an band and orchestra director for several decades and was director of the brooklyn college big band for 4 years as a grad student.I am quite familiar with concert band, jazz orchestra & symphonic as well as pop music repertoire . I have a background of 8 years in percussion ensembles as well as having studied afro cuban, caribbean and indian music. I currently teach guitar, piano, saxaphone, clarinet, drum and percussion classes to children from 5-17 years olden have also taught a few children with autism and ADHD. I can teach general music appreciation, history, theory, ear training, and courses re: american music. I can conduct jazz band, symphonic, orchestra, rock band, pit orchestra or percussion ensemble classes as wells perform in musicals as pit drummer. I have had 40 years experience performing and directing orchestras in many music genres from broadway pit orchestra, big band jazz, pop,rock, latin, symphonic, military, percussion ensemble and more. I love music and have performed in all kinds of music events from pop, symphony, opera, rock, big bands, broadway shows and national tours. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
I first began teaching in high school at the suggestion of my own piano teacher. I loved the experience from the start - few things are more rewarding than watching a student develop their musical passion and skill from lesson to lesson. Aside from private lessons, I also interned with the Peabody Children's Chorus in MD. Under the instruction of the brilliant choirmaster Doreen Falby, I had the privilege of working with a group of motivated students aged 8-12 where we studied everything from conducting to vocal technique and put on concerts twice a year. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Students need to practice at least four days a week, covering everything we've gone over in the lesson. Don't worry about mistakes - think of them as questions from your fingers that can be answered in the lesson.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If he/she can: sit still and pay attention for half an hour,
recognize colors or
count from 1 - 5
recognize numbers from 1 - 5
When will I start to see results?
Immdeiately. For children the first lesson consists with keyboard games and simple exercises that they can do either on their own or with the help of a parent. From there we move on to simple songs that they can play on their own or with a bit of parental help. For adults, we begin with very basic exercises, and I give very clear instructions that students can follow from the first day we work together.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My second teacher, Mrs. Natalie Cherney, was a tremendous inspiration. She was a great player and a fair, tough teacher. I think of her all the time and am always grateful to her.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
Not sure with piano. I started asking for one when I was three. For guitar, I wanted to play in the folk choir at the Catholic school I went to. I thought acoustic guitars looked extremely cool and sounded incredible. I started teachimg myself when I was nine.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Putting together a tour of New England colleges (using Amtrak and Greyhound) on the strength of a demo cassette. In February, no less.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Speed and volume dynamics for piano - the mechanics of expression. For guitar rhythmic complexity is challenging.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use John Thompson method books in beginner piano classes with children. The songs are wonderfully tuneful and provide a solid introduction to the musical structures and techniques needed to play classical music. When students are done with the first grade book, I move on to the Guild Repertoire books, for a wonderful cross-section of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern piano literature. For guitar, I use the Mel Bay method books. I love its clarity: the guitar neck diagrams and explanations of note values are very easy to understand. I also like the way they introduce string-to-string playing gradually.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
When I practice piano, I begin with scales, cadences and arpeggios. I move onto 'warm-up' songs, usually something I'm working on with my students. I then get into the more challenging stuff that I'm working on for my own pleasure: usually a Bach piece, a Beethoven and a Chopin.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Teaching elementary school, probably kindergarten, first or second grade.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
On piano, baroque music. On guitar, blues and rock rhythm.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My paternal grandmother was a touring ragtime pianist who led her band. My maternal grandfather played by ear. My mother played a little - taught me the C major scale. All my siblings took lessons (piano, drums, guitar) so there were instruments in the house. I'm the only one to make it my profession.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
The defining moment was when I was a senior in college. I did an open mic in Greenwich Village, and felt like I'd come home.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Guitar lessons in Philadelphia to students of all ages and abilities.
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