Music Lessons in Athol, MA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start out with an introduction to the fretboard and tuning the guitar. We then move on to basic chords, strumming and one-line melodies. Intermediate students will move on to more complex riffs, fingerpicking and arpeggios, as well as learning how to improvise using chord inversions and scales. For me it's important that we work on proper technique and musical concepts, but to do so while learning songs by artists that you like. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching ever since my junior year in high school and have taught extensively in the jazz, folk, rock and pop idioms. I have mentored children learning guitar for the first time, adults learning guitar for the first time and experienced guitarists dedicated to honing their craft. Furthermore, as an experienced composer and songwriter, I have assisted many students with the craft of composition and presented on lyric writing. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I have been teaching students since my sophomore year of high school, 3 years ago. I taught both beginner piano lessons and flute lessons of all levels. I encourage my students to keep a practice journal with their practice schedule, daily practice logs, long term and short term goals, lessons from notes, and anything else that can be useful for improvement. This allows students to continue progressing rather than finding themselves unmotivated to practice. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I like to begin with getting a sense of where the student is in their musical development. Then, it's all about the basics! I address breathing, body alignment, relaxation/tension, and all of the aspects of singing through exercises tailor-made to address the student's individual and immediate needs. For most of my students, I will provide specific pieces that will help in their development and keep their interest. I have, on occasion, had students request to only work on technique through vocal exercises without singing an actual song. Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Music

For all of my students I like to approach the lesson through the lens of preparation, skills, solos, and fun. I believe it is very important to prepare the mind and the body for the lesson to get the maximum benefit. In all of my lessons I begin with appropriate warm-ups before moving on to skills and technique. I use a variety of method books depending on the goals and wishes of my students, and I tailor them to make sure they are learning all the skills they need to be able to play the solos and fun music that they want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Keyboard

I like listening to the student and determining where their skill level best would fit in with my curriculum. From there, I will formulate a lesson plan that will not only have the student steadily progressing through the lesson material by using instrumental method books that encourage growth at their current skill level, but I will also introduce solo repertoire materials that help the student establish themselves as an individual musical creator and artist! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Fiddle Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always start with what the student is interested in. I find that learning music comes much more naturally when the student is inspired and entertained by what they are trying to learn. I come from a long tradition of learning music by ear. I believe this is the best way to develop true musicality. While I very much see the value in sheet music, I believe that reading music without being about to play it by ear is like being about to write and write but not speak and understand English. Read More