Andy A
Instruments: Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Funk, Spirituals, Punk
Andy A
Instruments: Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Gospel, Funk, Spirituals, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor Degree: Oral Roberts University
I have played guitar for 15 years and enjoy sharing my love and passion for music with others. I previously taught in the classroom and now enjoy pursuing my music career fulltime and teaching parttime. If you have a song you want to learn, I would be happy to work that into your lesson plan. If you are brand new to guitar, I would be happy to show you the basics so that you have a solid foundation. I build all of my lessons around each student's specific learning style and tailor them to the student's specific needs. I hope to start working with you!
My music teaching experience goes back to 2013 when I taught English at a public school in Tampa, Florida. I've always been a guitar fanatic and my students knew this, so one student, Robert, asked me if I'd like to give him one-on-one lessons on guitar. Besides showing my friends techniques and certain songs, this was the first official student that I had, and I've had several students since that time. We went over some very basic principles starting with listening and goal settings. We also learned how to play along with a rhythm and learn the names of the different notes, scales, and chords. These are foundational building blocks that I use with all my students, but the number one factor for learning an instrument is having a love for it. I remember the first time that someone showed me how to play an AC/DC song and to me it was the most amazing thing in the world. Learning those songs that I loved so much made the guitar come alive and that flipped the switch for me to keep me practicing and staying with it. Overall, it was fun and it still is! I always encourage my students to play with someone and to have fun. That is, after all, what music is all about.
I think being well rounded is important with music and one thing that I've noticed is building on what the student is interested in. Started off with materials builds important fundamentals, but if my student is nodding off to sleep, then I'm not doing my job. I'll begin by setting a goal and seeing what the student is interested in (i.e. what band/song would they like to learn about?) From there, I'll set a realistic goal (Flight of the Bumblebee can't and shouldn't be the first song on guitar that you learn) and we'll learn the techniques, structure, and music theory that exists in a certain song. This method allows for learning to take place but not at the expense of fun. I do a lot of ear training, use sheet music, chord charts, and demonstrations in my lessons.
By far the greatest feeling as a teacher is that moment when the "lightbulb" turns on for the student and the idea clicks. It's an amazing feeling and to see growth happening is such a privelege. I remember the excitement of learning a new song when someone would show me, or when I'd get a challenging part. Honestly, there's not a feeling on earth as gratifying for me as in the moment, knowing that I used to not be able to do this, and now I can do it. It's the coolest thing. That keeps me motivated and that is the feeling that I want to pass along to each one of my students. My goal is to face challenges and overcome them in order to build confidence and perserverence for my students.
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