Ben A
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova
Ben A
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 8-80
Associates of Arts Degree in Performance (Guitar).Musicians Institute. Hollywood, California.
2012-Fort Wayne Battle of The Blues Winner.
Ben is my name, born and bread in Columbia City, Indiana. My earliest memories of playing guitar around the house when I was five maybe six on a little toy guitar. Around the age of nine I began taking lessons from two individuals here in my home town (One of them didnt know how to read music, I felt that was important so I found another teacher who did). In High School you counldn't get the thing out of my hands. I ended up playing with guys from school in Churches around town and open mics, However my true passion was studying the Guitar and getting better. Then after High School Left Indiana to take my knowledge and skills to a much higher level at Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. I got to study day and night with some of the greatest players on this planet!
My teaching experience goes back to my 16th birthday when I got my license to drive. Word of mouth has alway been there for me. At that point I've studied with several teachers on my own so I knew well and good where to start with someone new to the instrument. After College I moved to the outskirks of Chicago and taught at two school for a year. Brandolino's Westside Music in Joilet, and Naperville Music and Arts in downtown Naperville. Thats where I really started to get a good grasp of teaching and plenty of eager young minds showing up to learn. I've taught students from all ages and all levels, So its safe to say I can teach anyone at least one thing or another.
Not all my students in the past want to learn to read music however I really push for it, cause its the most helpful tool for being a working musician! I like to start my beginning students out with the Mel Bay book #1 through #7. However thats those books focus on some theory, mostly just and intro to reading notes on the staff. Some guys just want to get home from work and play thier guitar to let off some steam, I've worked with that type aswell. The whole point though in my mind is to always have the fire in you to want to practice, want to get better, Always trying new things learning new tunes new styles.
As a lifelong musician I can truley say other than playing my Guitar the second most rewarding thing is doing my part to give it back. Pay it forward if you will. Teach other individuals a modern approach to Guitar. Personally I use the C.A.G.E.D system to help get my students familier with Chords, scales, and also arppegioes. I can never stress enough the importance of intervals and harmonic awareness. I try my very best to cover the 3 aspects of music. Rhythm, Harmony, and Melody into every lesson while at the same time making the lesson fun and engaging for us both.
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