Alan K
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Bossa Nova
Alan K
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Bossa Nova
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
MBA, Golden Gate University, Management BA, City University of New York, English
I grew up in a household full of music. My Dad loved jazz while my Mother loved opera and classical music. They constantly played their respective recordings throughout the day. I began guitar lessons at 9 with a music teacher in the neighborhood who had a good reputation. However, I found his teaching style to be lacking warmth or any specific direction. So I quit and began teaching myself by learning melodies and chords from rock, pop and jazz recordings. I developed a very good relative pitch. Luckily, my old teacher had taught me how to read music. While in college I fell under the spell of flamenco music and studied briefly with a blind Spanish guitarist in Manhattan. I performed in rock and pop groups throughout college. When I moved to California I studied with Jon Harris, a classical guitarist who had studied under Segovia. I began to compose my own music and to continue a grueling practice schedule. To me, music is the perfect art form. And I love to share my passion with others.
I began teaching guitar after graduating undergraduate school in NYC. I taught some of my college friends as well as expanded to middle school and high school. students. I have taught 9 year olds as well as seniors well into their seventies. I love interacting with people and helping them learn and develop their love of music. There are so many different types of music in the world such as Persian modal, Indian ragas, Argentina rumbas, Reggae and much, much more. I try to teach my students to be open-minded as well as develop their musical ears.
Hi, My name is Alan and I look forward to meeting you and playing music together. I have been teaching guitar for 30 years at my home. I play classical and popular music and am very familiar with blues, rock and jazz. Most of my students have been beginners whether children or adults. I am particularly patient with beginners and love to instill the beauty of playing guitar. My teaching style incorporates patience, theory and most of all, fun. Although I do not have a music degree I grew up in a household full of all types of music, from classical, jazz, opera, blues and world music. I currently perform in a duo with an oboist and a Klezmer quartet. The guitar is an instrument you can share with family and friends. I look forward to our first lesson.
When I first meet a student I ask them to tell me what kinds of music they love to listen to and what strikes a chord in them about this particular music. Then I assess their level, if they have played for awhile. If they are a beginner, I start with correct posture, hand position, and elbow position as these are very important ergonomic considerations any of which can cause stress on the joints and additional tension in both the hands and wrists. I work at each student's speed and ability, always stopping to praise improvements in playing or reading music.
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