Ben P  
Instruments: Guitar, Drums, Bass Guitar, Music, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk

My teaching began in high school when my history teacher asked if I'd give his son guitar lessons. I had so much fun that after I graduated college in 2016, I immediately began teaching again! What began as a part time teaching schedule quickly blossomed into 60+ students per week, teaching at two private music schools in the Providence, RI, area. One of the best aspects of teaching is connecting with my students, and watching reach that "ah-ha!" moment in the lesson where they reach their first milestone. They then see the fruits of their work, and this gives them encouragement to continue onward. I find using a combination of both tradition music teaching and a more modern, song-oriented approach to teaching helps to keep students motivated, especially the younger students. I have taught students from age 5 to 75, and well over 150 students since I began teaching. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages! I have a passion for teaching and want to continue teaching now that I’ve moved to Philly! I can't wait to meet you and share the joy of music!

For beginning guitar students who are children and just starting on guitar, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Guitar Book 1. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, and as I get to know the student better, I will personalize their lessons, setting goals to learn specific songs or solo pieces that cater to their musical tastes and interests, which keeps them invested in their guitar practice. I will encourage all my students, regardless of age or skill level, to perform at a recital or open mic; some type of live performance, as this builds confidence which is hugely important for an aspiring musician. For my drum students, I will begin with basic snare drum technique and essential rudiments, while teaching them the fundamentals of reading drum notation. The next step is a basic drum beat with the kick and snare, and we move forward from there. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals of drumming, and as I get to know the student better, I will personalize their lessons, setting goals to learn specific songs or drum patterns that cater to their musical tastes and interests, which keeps them invested in their drum set practice. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.