John F
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B
John F
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, R&B
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Taught in the Conservatory while studying at Combs
I started teaching in a local studio while I was going to college. I majored in jazz guitar and minored in classical piano. Had some education classes but a classroom was not for me. I enjoy the one on one experiance of private lessons. I started teaching at the Combs College Conservatory when I was a junior in college.I have held numerous teaching positions, mostly guitar and piano. Played professionally starting in high school, Some Rock.some folk and I have also played a few solo piano jobs when available. I have also done some recording at Sigma Sound in the 70's with a group that wrote its own material. I am currently playing Guitar and Mandolin in a Christian Rock band. My first love has always been teaching. I'm a people person and enjoy the one on one with a student and enjoy watching their progress and helping them grow into an accomplished musician. I have always put my students first and treated playing as a second preference.
My teaching experiance has been mainly one one one. I've never given group lessons mainly because you can't totally focus on the student when there are several people involved. The best teaching/learning situation is the individual lesson where the focus is on one person. All my lessons are with one individual. More than one creates distraction and breaks the contenuity of the learning experiance. My experiance has been with grade school students, College age, middle aged and also senior citizens. I currently have a 74 year old piano student. I always give my phone number to my students and have an open line if there is a question or a problem. If it is something we can square away with a phone call, it usually results in a much better lesson the next time we meet.
My approach is both traditional and also contemporary.. I use standard method books that have been around for years. I don't like to generalize on one or two methods. I cater the lessons to the individual student. Some may have a wide musical background. Some may not have any. Sight reading and method books are a must. I teach classical piano but also incorporate contemporary songs usually something that the student may request. This makes for a .much more productive student. As far as the guitar is concerned, the emphasis is on reading, technique, theory, improvising a dear training. Duets are a must when studying the guitar.z
When teaching classical piano, I use technique books like Hanon, Pischna for advanced beginners and intermediate. Material can range from Bach, Beethoven, Schumann etc. Contemporary methods usually from an approved song book or possibly a show tune. All students will learn from the previously method technique books. Beginners we will use some method book like Alfred or something similar. Guitar: Mel bay or something for sight reading. Wolfhardt for intermediate students. A jazz technique book for advanced. All students will learn positions, modes and improvisation. Duets will be performed at most lessons.
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