Ervin B
Instruments: Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Folk, Country, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age
Ervin B
Instruments: Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle
Styles:
Jazz, Blues, Folk, Country, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Minor Music, Appalachian State University, Guitar Performance Ph.D., School Psychology, Assessment/Intervention for Special Needs Population, Music Therapy
1984-Recording Project "Dawglegacy"; Genre-Acoustic Jazz; Performers included Sam Bush, Jay Dellinger, Ben Williams, Parke Dalmus. Co-Producer: Merle Watson
Performed with Doc Watson, David Grisman Quintet, Alaisdar Fraser
Studied with Alaisder Fraser-Scottish Fiddler, Martin Hayes-Irish Fiddler, Buddy MacMaster-Nova Scotia Fiddler, Jethro Burns-Jazz Mandolinist
Taught Strings for 30 years
Born and breed in a musical family, I have played music since age 6, that was 50 some odd years ago. Music is the most consistently therapeutic experience in my life. A form of "instant Karma", it gives back what you put into it. While a young adult, I wrestled with performing/teaching music as a career. At the time music paid the basic bills, but did not provide an income that would support a family. Music did not provide the level of intellectual stimulation needed. So, I chose to obtain a degree in School Psychology, to satisfy intellectual curiousity and continue with music integrating the two where possible. Now retired from psychology, teaching music allows me to combine psychology skills and music to focus on efficient learning techniques for others. I have professional experience in delivering psychological service and music instruction to the developmental spectrum. Integrating these two passions affords wonderful opportunities to develop and apply creative ideas to help others achieve goals in learning to play stringed instruments more efficiently than they would otherwise.
I am a dedicated instructor, adept at analyzing students' musical learning styles, and tailoring teching methods to fit each individual's learning style. Whether you are just learning how to hold the instrument, or struggling with making it to a new level, I have the insight, knowledge, experience and expertise to help you achieve your goals with minimal frustration. Playing a stringed instrument requires passion, patience and practice. If you have these three requirements, then you will succeed and enjoy the process. Because each person has a unique set of needs, I will endeavor to help you learn to become a self study where possible, but also recognize any limitations which will respond best to professional instruction or coaching. Regardless of the challenge, be it performance anxiety, sore fingers, tricky licks/smooth moves, reading with speed, or playing what you hear in your head, it can be overcome with the "right stuff". Students come at all ages. You are almost never to young or old to start learning to play and having fun at it. Let me show you how.
Beginning students ages 6-14 usually do best with a 30 minute lesson (Lesson are not timed) Students 15 and older can typically benefit from an hour lesson to start (Lessons are not timed) Intermediate to Advanced Students are scheduled for 60 minutes regardless of age. The first session is desgined to get aquainted and evaluate the match between student and instructor; be prepared to explain your interests, goals and demonstrate skills. Each lesson is customized, and based on continuity of prior lessons and interim progess. Students should come to class prepared with instrument and other materials as discussed in the prevoius lesson or by other communication. Terms of student/instructor commitment will be covered in the first session.
Students will actively participate in determing the course of their learning experience. Learning style, strengths, weaknesses, talent/potential for the choosen instrument will be assess during the first and/or second paid lesson. The details of this evaluation will be shared with the student (and/or parent) toward the end of the second lesson. Beginners will typically follow a course of instruction that includes basic music theory, and developing the simplest methods necessary to maximize communication between student and instructor, minimizing jargon terms that have little relevance to the students initial goals. Once the student learns proper form in holding the instrument, identifying the strings, tuning the instrument and following basic verbal instruction on producing accurate sounds, then basic theory will be applied for older students in the course of learning chords, and younger students will focus on more on learning simple chords. Progess will be monitored using studio equipment at no extra charge. Progress will be reviewed monthly, or sooner if needed. Intermediate to advanced students will receive a similar assessment as beginners and feedback will typically be provided at the end of the first paid lesson. The student and instructor will collective determine the course of instructional goals and strategies to be implemented in reaching the goals. Progress will be monitored with studio recording equipment available at no extra charge to the student. The instructor has available a small studio that includes basic recording equipment, metronome, chromatic tuner, computor, armless chairs, stools of various heights and a variety of stringed instruments for evaluating student interest, potential, and needs. Intermediate/advanced students are strongly encouraged to provide their own portable recording unit (e.g., smart phone, tablet, computor, dictabphone) during the session, as the instructor's equipment will not be available for loan or rental.
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