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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in Yonkers . 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: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Afterwards I was fortunate to study with the great Jerry Jemmott on Long Island (Aretha Franklin and BB King's bassist). He taught me approaches to music that changed my life. I subsequently played in blues and cover bands for many years after this. Throughout this time I have continued to compose all sorts of music including country, bossa nova, counterpoint and rock. With a young boy at home to care for and another on the way I am focused on teaching for the next few years exclusively before I get back to recording and performing live. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I'm a driven and enthusiastic guitar and bass teacher that enjoys working with people and sharing my enthusiasm for music. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music in 2015. Performing worldwide has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career as a musician. I've been able to perform on significant tours across North America and Europe with multiple artists in various genres. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I always try to make our lessons less like a lecture and more like a jam session. When analyzing a piece of music, I strive to relay the importance of knowing exactly what you're playing. Through this, the student gains a deeper appreciate for the piece and music in general, as opposed to just cycling through a chord progression. Most lessons consist of 1/3 technique and scales, and 2/3 repertoire. I always make sure to ask the students about what they like to listen to most because that will dictate which songs we learn during our lessons to make it more fun and relatable for them. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar
I work with the student to learn what they are interested in learning. All my students learn to read traditional notation as well as tablature. I like method books like Hal Leonard , especially for the complete beginner - but I supplement with other repertoire I have found throughout the years. I encourage beginning with a nylon string guitar because it is easier on the fingers! I incorporate music theory in all of my teaching. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For me, the most vital aspect of teaching involves creating a self-motivated student. I believe that you can do this by teaching music that is of interest to the person you're teaching, and by introducing material that is graded in such a way that it is always a little bit more challenging than what your student is used to (no matter the level they happen to play at). If a student has no reason to practice by themselves, and if a sense of curiosity and desire for exploration and accomplishment haven't been developed, the teaching itself becomes obsolete. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Drums Banjo Mandolin Fiddle Orchestral Percussion Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I started out as a percussionist, studying throughout high school and in to college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During my time in Boston, I discovered a bustling bluegrass music scene and my focus switched to stringed instruments, namely the mandolin and the violin. Since College, I have been using all veins of traditional music to join in and build communities of artists. I'm very well connected in the New York City Bluegrass, Irish, and Jazz scenes. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I can tailor my guitar lessons to the needs of every student. Practice is required but I prefer to call it FUN. If you practice daily I guarantee that you will notice progress and discover something new every lesson. I first started as a classical player to teach students about classical guitar. I can also teach students interested in improving their finger-style technique. For these students interested in Jazz, you have found one of the more encouraging teachers around who will show you both the tradition of the instrument and encourage pursuing your own style through writing your own compositions. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My grandfather on my father’s side played the mandolin. I clearly remember him playing the “The Tarantella” at family gatherings.
My cousin and two of my uncles on my mother’s side played the guitar. My one uncle played the bass as well. He was the one that made me aware that the 4 bass strings were the same as the 4 lower strings of the guitar.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I used to play my friend’s bass guitar at band rehearsals during practice. I purchased my first bass in college and would play with it for fun. When friends needed a bass player, I would gladly do my best to fill in. I also played at jam sessions. Eventually I found myself playing bass in an original band. It is a great feeling to lay down a solid groove for the band and watch people move to the beat. This is when I realized how different the role of the bass guitar was in an ensemble.
While I was in college I started to study piano as well. I took one semester of piano. I learned how to construct chords on piano and that opened much as for understanding music theory and how “it” all worked. Playing piano helped my musicianship in so many ways.
I studied drums and Latin percussion for several years in my late twenties as well. This really helped my reading music. Focusing on just rhythm without concern for musical pitch is very helpful for reading music.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
After I played my first high school dance I was hooked! It was a great feeling to play on a stage and see people dancing and having a great time.
It was around this time that MTV was becoming popular. I thought, "why not me?" That is when I started to take lessons and take my playing more seriously.
I have since then learned that being a professional musician comes in many forms and being a rock star is just one facet of making a living out of playing music.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Simple question however broad topic. There are entire books regarding effective practice that I would recommend to parents or older students that are interested in getting the most out of their practice. Two come to mind.
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallwey
Several quick points I suggest:
Having a specific goal that you plan to accomplish during practice is very important.
- A scale
- A chord of several chords
- A song or a tricky part of song or piece.
Understand the task at hand.
Practice SLOWLY with proper technique.
I recommend NO MORE THAN 10 to 15 minutes of focused practice for all new tasks; then take short break. Stretch this out over 45 minutes to an hour (or throughout your day). Repeat for several days. You will see results! If you can only do this for ½ hour that is fine too, especially for beginners.
There are studies that show this type of practice is more beneficial over long term than repeating the same thing for and hour because your brain loses interest when one thing is practiced for too long. Studies show that students will progress more quickly with shorter intervals of focused and deliberate practice.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
Several family members played guitar so it was convenient I guess. I learned to play the guitar slowly for the first couple of years. When my cousin or uncle would come over I would learn a few new things.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I learned to play the guitar from family members while growing up. I started with a couple of chords around 3rd grade and received my first guitar in 4th grade. I started formal guitar lessons during my junior year of high school.
My first guitar teacher was very supportive and impressed with what I picked up on my own.
He taught me to read music and explained simple music theory to me.
He would bring different guitar players to my lessons for me to check out. It was inspiring to me to hear the great jazz and classical players that I never would have heard at that time in my life.
When will I start to see results?
One should see realistic results after first lesson with slow deliberate practice.
If student never played the instrument before holding it correctly and strumming several chords are respectable results.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I think 8 years old is a good age to start guitar lessons if the child shows interest? Perhaps younger depending on the child.
Can your child sit still for 15 minutes? Do they know right from left and have physical strength in their fingers?
Perhaps ukulele. It is easier to learn and will get the child prepared to move onto the guitar in future.
If a parent believes that their child can focus on a task and shows interest, I say give it a try.
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 Yonkers to students of all ages and abilities.
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