Andy S  
Instruments: Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Gospel, Swing, Soul, Punk

In high school I played in the New Jersey Youth Symphony Jazz Orchestra, my high school big band, various gigs as a lounge musician, as well as numerous rock groups with my friends and classmates. I've taken lessons with greats like Vic Juris and played alongside Paul Shaffer. I have also given lessons as a guitar instructor myself for students of all ages, and like to bring my own youth and excitement into my style of teaching. Because of my age, I must admit that I do not have an official degree or career as a musician, but my love for music and sharing it with others is genuine. I hope I can offer you a younger and more excited approach to music education !

Although I grew up with Hal Leonard and the Real Book (and have access to those if need be), I personally do not prefer to use any specific book in my lessons. I like my students to have a blank manuscript notebook with them at every lesson where I can write down scale shapes, chords, notes, and homework each week; this makes it easier to structure things around what they want to learn, rather than what the book wants them to learn. My favorite way to learn is my working towards a song that I love. I always ask my students what specific song they want to play, and then structure my lessons around the building blocks of that song: chords, rhythm, melody, etc. I understand that a lot of guitarists do not care much for the nitty gritty of music theory (especially for rock and such), and while I am admittedly a huge theory nerd I am willing to overlook theory for a more feel-based approach. However, regardless I like to use every song my student likes as a vehicle to teach them basic fundamentals which they can then bring to the next song.