Alex C
Instruments: Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Latin, Funk, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Punk
Alex C
Instruments: Guitar
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Latin, Funk, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
BA American Studies UC Santa Cruz
Additional formal studies in Music UC Santa Cruz,Cabrillo College
Scholarship recipient Banff Center for the Arts Jazz Program -studied with Kevin Eubanks, Dave Holland
Grant Recipient - Shenson Award - History of Jazz guitar lecture- concert Community Music Center , San Francisco, CA
I am a instructor with 10 years of experience giving 15-20 guitar lessons a week who loves sharing the gift of music. I've also performed jazz, rock, pop and other styles of music in groups and solo at many types of venues, including a few jazz festival appearances in addition to jazz clubs and a small number of sponsored concerts under my own name. Along the the way I released a CD that was played on 30 public radio stations and performed with many excellent musicians from the Bay Area, East Coast and Europe.
I am motivated and committed to share my knowledge and experience of music with anyone who wants to play guitar. For 10 years at Noe Valley Music and Community Music Center in San Francisco I taught 15-20 students a week and feel privileged to have had those experiences and responsibilities. I still find that teaching guitar energizes and inspires me. Working with so many people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives for an extended period of time was an incredible learning experience for me. I gained valuable insight into teaching all types of rock, jazz , pop, blues, folk and roots music on electric and acoustic guitar and I feel that I can truly help a wide range of people to play guitar with more skill, dynamics, expression, and inspiration.
I use a variety of books, recordings, and online resources for all levels- transcriptions of classic styles and newer artists , scale and chord reference books, solo pieces for different genres, beginning guitar methods by traditional publishers such as Hal Leonard and Warner Bros. plus newer books. Online video and audio content and recording software such as garageband are also valuable resources to work with. Learning to read and write music opens up great potential for communication and creativity- theory and improvisation are other topics that I like to teach. I have lots of experience designing individual lesson plans and materials - using recordings and written music that the student has a specific interest in. I've transcribed thousands of songs, riffs, solos, and other musical passages for students to help create customized lessons and meaningful material that's fun and challenging
I like to focus on the music with a relaxed approach and help create a positive and supportive environment with a patient, easy going manner. I'm comfortable going over small sections of music, looking at new material, exercises, practicing songs, explaining concepts that help the student gain insight and improve on the guitar. For assessment purposes I like to ask a few questions pertaining to the music, styles and particular artists that the student has an interest in to shape a individual lesson with custom material. I believe in emphasizing musicianship and practical aspects of learning guitar while realizing that aspirations, inspiration and individual creativity are so important. Music lessons are enjoyable! Expand your field of musical possibilities. and gain valuable experience by learning new repertoire and techniques.
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