Guitar Lessons in Strafford, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I began teaching the summer before my last year of my undergrad (summer of 2012) I worked at a few studios outside Pittsburgh (Batavia Studios in Mars, PA and Manella Guitars in Monroeville.) Since moving to NJ I got a couple more gigs as a teacher through recommendations (Westerhoff School of Music and Art in Metuchen and Music Tech in South Brunswick.) I also have a few private students. Last summer I worked at the Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute, a one week summer camp for high school kids. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For younger beginners I tend to use Hal Leonard's Guitar Method series to build a foundation of basic knowledge and fundamental techniques. From there I tend to focus on a custom lesson plan entailing a combination of music/exercises I believe the student will benefit from and enjoy coupled with whatever the student them self wishes to learn whether it's a genre of music, a specific song or something else. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

My teaching style is defined by a combination of high standards, understanding, nurture and patience. I will set realistic goals for each student based on his/her abilities. I will encourage and try new ways to explain or demonstrate a skill that the student is having difficulty with and I will be extremely enthusiastic about their accomplishments. However, I will assertively make it known if the student shows that they have not been practicing in a supportive way. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My approach is both traditional and also contemporary.. I use standard method books that have been around for years. I don't like to generalize on one or two methods. I cater the lessons to the individual student. Some may have a wide musical background. Some may not have any. Sight reading and method books are a must. I teach classical piano but also incorporate contemporary songs usually something that the student may request. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

For students who are just starting to learn a new instrument, I would start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements method book. As the student progresses and has a good understanding of the fundamentals, I begin to introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate for their skill level. I try to find out what all of my students are interested in, and I adjust my instruction accordingly to make sure that the lessons are always engaging, and fun. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I make sure that beginner students understand the instrument and start with the proper technique before they can develop bad habits. I try to pick a song or finger exercises for them each lesson as well as a few exercises where they can develop their reading skills. As a student becomes more comfortable with the instrument that is when we can get into more challenging pieces of music as well as different scales and exercises that will help them with their improvising as well as their overall understanding of music. Read More