Guitar Lessons in Philadelphia, PA

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.

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