Guitar Lessons in Seattle, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I was honored to be selected by the American government for a Fulbright scholarship. It was shortly after the Russian/Georgian war of 2009, and they wanted me and a band to perform for the refugees of the war. It was an incredibly humbling and gratifying experience. I played all over the country, including a small music school in Gori, the home town of Joseph Stalin. The school only had power for several hours a day, the toilets didn't work, and there was no heating or air-conditioning. We played in their auditorium filled to the rafters with young people looking for an outlet. They had suffered greatly during the war and stormed the stage after the show.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
To study my primary instrument, bass, was a quick decision for me to make. My uncle (a bass player also) performed frequently with his band, and would rehearse in the basement. He was also a bit crazy since he collected over 100 guitars and basses. Each instrument was carefully cared for, and he kindly allowed me to play any that I desired play. I tried guitar, but the strings hurt my fingertips, so I tried bass. Once I picked it up, I was instantly infatuated with it. I love to support other musicians, and I love the warmth of the tone.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If a child can walk or crawl, they are ready for music lessons. Of course, I wouldn't have them sight reading, but I would try my best to engage their faculties with rhythm, games, and good fun. Some of the most memorable moments I have had as a student (and I still am a student) are the simple games and devices teachers would use to engage me. Ms. O'Suna taught me the basis tee's and taa's of rhythm, and it has stuck in my memory since. I would always suggest that a parent be open to a student experimenting and being playful. Children are expert improvisors, and that can only be cultivated with encouragement and openness.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
By far, the most important thing is to be aware of what you are trying to accomplish before you sit down to practice. What are you going to work on, and how much time will you spend doing it? The most common mistake is for a student to sit down (or stand) and simply wander around on their instrument without purpose. While there is some value to focusing on the mechanical aspects of playing, such as finger exercises, noodling etc...the student should still have a precise idea of what to do, then record it in a practice log (along with all relevant information, such as tempos and keys).

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
By far, the most difficult thing to master on a stringed instrument are the shapes of intervals and scales. The intervals of a minor-7 chord are mapped throughout the fingerboard, but you must know where they are and be able to attach them to chord tones of another chord. To make it more difficult, your ear must also be tuned well enough to know how far the intervals are from each other, and recognize how each note in a chord related to the tonic. Playing music is hard! But, with time and diligent practice, you can overcome the difficulties.

When will I start to see results?
You will see results only if you are willing and motivated to study. I will do everything in my power to help you, but I can't practice for you. Ideally, with what we work on, combined with your own pursuits (such as starting a band), you will see results within a year; but that is only with serious study. I understand that we all want to get good quickly, but there are no shortcuts. The study of any craft is a lifetime of progress. Try not to think in months or years, but in decades. Any artistic pursuit will take a lifetime to master.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes. I have had many great, and some not-so-great teachers in music. One of the most inspiring for me was Mr. Dragoo, my fifth grade music teacher. He was a local phenom who could play two violins at once. I wasn't aware (my mother told me many years later) that Mr. Dragoo had stopped by my house when I was away and pleaded with her to support my desire to play. He asked that I not be told of his visit until I was out of school. After I moved away from home, my mother casually mentioned his visit to me. It helped me through some tougher times playing music.

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