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24 Years
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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
With older students, I try to cater the lessons to their personal needs and interests. For example, It may not seem fitting or appropriate to teach single-note reading to an older student that has no experience reading music, and who may specifically want to learn to sing and accompany their voice on an acoustic guitar. You can learn to play chords on the guitar without ever looking at a staff. 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
Extensive experience performing as part of the band of Broadway and Off-Braodway shows between the years of 1970-87 Military service: Canadian army band full time percussionist-1974-1977 Recordings : ABC TV, commercials for Duncan Hines, Chrysler, Lottery, Nevada Bank, and many rock bands. Teaching private students of all ages and levels for over 40 years. I PLAY PIANO, GUITAR, DRUMS, PERCUSSION, MRDANGAM, SAX, CONGA, BONGOS, DJEMBE. I HAVE TAUGHT FOR MUSIKALESSONS FOR 5 YEARS AND ALSO IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ( MONROE , EAST WINDSOR, MANALAPAN SINCE 2011. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Lute Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
My Teaching Methods (or those which I employ) are based on the needs of the particular student. Each student is different, and hence, my method is essentially pick and choose depending on the talents, needs, and advancement of the student. For complete beginners, I use a selection of publications from Gendai Guitar (Japanese method book), Frederick Noad (Classical Guitar Playing Volumes 1 2; his three volumes based of historical periods: Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical respectively); tried-and-true Historical Methods (Carcassi, Aguado, Padovec, etc.). Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar
I have experience with speech and voice therapy, as well as training in voice pedagogy, Alexander's Technique, and Body Mapping which I feel is important to include when teaching voice. Also, I believe it is up to the student or the student's parent(s) if lesson plans should be actively persued, and if they are then each student would be analyzed and have a unique plan that includes a combination of my experiences and training. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I started teaching in a local studio while I was going to college. I majored in jazz guitar and minored in classical piano. Had some education classes but a classroom was not for me. I enjoy the one on one experiance of private lessons. I started teaching at the Combs College Conservatory when I was a junior in college.I have held numerous teaching positions, mostly guitar and piano. Played professionally starting in high school, Some Rock.some folk and I have also played a few solo piano jobs when available. 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
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I have taught instrument lessons for pay for 7 years, starting with guitar and ukulele lessons for kids and adults at age 16. I since expanded to piano, bass, mandolin, and music theory. These have always been side-gigs, with a couple weekly students at a time. I taught music theory to younger music students (informally but regularly) during my last two years at Swarthmore. Ive also made a practice of mentoring my musical friends whenever possible in order to hone my communication skills and understanding of the instruments I play. 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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