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BD, Berklee College of Music, Contemporary Writing & Production.
2007 - Berklee College of Music International Scholarship
I'm a passionate, experienced and motivated instructor with a strong desire for sharing knowledge based on my personal experience as a professional musician. In 2010, I graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production and was able to learn from some of the greats like David Fiuczynski and David Tronzo. After graduating, I moved to Brooklyn, NYC, where I worked professionally for over 7 years, touring with Grammy Award-nominated talent and collaborated in sessions with some of the top producers in the industry.
I have been a teacher for the last 7 years: having worked at after-school programs, I have learned how to understand the psychology involved in teaching and how to get students motivated but sparkling their curiosity based on their personal experiences. I encourage students to practice on a consistent basis for as much time as they can, but most importantly, I encourage them to listen. The art of listening is much understated in music education at times and is really what made a difference in my playing, so I like to include listening exercises that go along with technique in order for the student to develop a well-crafted musicianship.
Is always good for beginners to have a book that includes a basic outline of the guitar parts, string names, and general terminology. This includes but is not limited to Hal Leonard's Essential Elements or Guitar for Absolute Beginners by Daniel Emeri. After we passed the fundamentals, the class will be customized to each student's needs. Say for instance, if the student is interested in blues guitar playing, a big part of the lesson will involve transcribing some of the greatest blues players and we will focus on the bend and vibrato technique. If on the other hand, the student is a songwriter, the class will head toward the composition and harmony topics.
Setting realistic goals is definitely a good place to start. Also, I encourage transcribing music in small sections, and to always start slow and take deep breaths, as this will reduce the student's normal anxiety and has done wonders in my own playing as well. Using a rhythm reference like a metronome or a drum loop while practicing is also a must, at it helps develop the student's groove. Internalizing music by developing the student's ear is also a very important part of my teaching style as Is applicable in any genre (hear it before you play it!)