Justin H
5.0
(27)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Justin H
5.0
(27)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 3-80
Bachelor Degree: UNC
2015-2018 Best of Thumbtack Guitar Teachers
21 Five Star Reviews
I am a performer, singer songwriter, producer, audio engineer, and guitar teacher and work out of my own music studio and practice space, so no matter what my clients want to do, it a grand musical experience.
"I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart." -- Shin'ichi Suzuki
I love and enjoy teaching acoustic, electric, and bass guitar and have been doing so for over 10 years. I also teach classical fingerstyle for classical sheet music for the guitar. I have taught many children and adults toward a level by which they are able to express themselves musically and reap the beautiful reward of creating music with their guitar and voice for a lifetime.
I have the equipment to get any student started (if they want to try a lesson or two before purchasing their instrument) and will come to your home. I have lots of experience giving private lessons, and the optimal time range with respect to a student's attention is 30-45 minutes. I am willing try one-hour lessons, but students usually reach a "wall" around the 45-minute mark. We can surely discuss this prior to beginning the lessons.
There are several pathways that I lead my students along with respect to their learning the guitar. I provide some of my students with instruction in sight-reading of classical guitar sheet music. The student and I focus on classical fingerstyle techniques as well as all aspects of each piece of classical guitar sheet music. This includes adhering to the pieces' given key and time signatures, dynamics, accents and ultimately executing the given piece of music with precision and distinct feeling.
Notable compositions studied include those of Bach, Sor, Tarrega, Carcassi, Guliaini, Carulli as well as pieces composed and arranged for other instruments from Mozart, Pachabel, Tchaicovsky, and more
"Some people think music education is a privilege, but I think it is essential to being human."-- Jewel
"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something that we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." -- Billy Joel "
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." -- Plato
"It is in music that many youthful hearts learn to love." -- Ricard
I have been teaching, recording, producing, and performing music since I was 14. I have 60 productions, currently from a 3 piece band, and perform across the Triangle. I have my own business with over 20 students weekly. I also work for two local music instruction companies and teach an audio production course after school at Duke Middle. I also played with Payne’s Chapel Gospel, Women’s, Men’s, and Mass Choirs from age 13 until 26. I gained experience in blues, gospel, jazz, and especially improvisatory exploration with this band and choirs.
My teaching style is integrative and interactive. I tend to write, record, and encourage local performances for my student base. I like for students and parents to have something to show for their efforts in music, whether it be a recording or performance. I tend to get my students more excited than most because I prioritize understanding my students’ taste in music. My past students have commented that this was their favorite part about our lessons, was the fact that we were playing music the student actually likes.
There is certain flexibility that is tailored towards the student's choice of music he or she would like to learn. I also provide students the opportunity to learn songs of their choice. This can include reading guitar tabs, chord charts, lead charts, and still, sheet music. It is really up to the student, for I am able to teach one or all of these methods of learning songs. I have had students learn a vast array of styles, including Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Ed Sheerin, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Outkast, Macklemore, Bob Marley, Jonie Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Rascall Flatts, Earl Scruggs, Olde Crowe Medicine Show, Nirvana, Elliot Smith, Led Zeppelin, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, just to name a few. Honestly, it's up to the student. I have truly enjoyed teaching all kinds of music, and my students and I have had lots of success learning fun, easy, and challenging songs. This also includes the option for the student to learn the vocal melodies of these tunes!
Lastly, I am able to provide students the opportunity to write their own songs. This also includes writing vocal melodies and lyrics. This is the most popular mode of learning for my students thus far. Even my beginner students have been able to compose their own tunes using a few simple chords and some basics in rhythm and meter that I have taught them. Moreover, it is their idea for lyrical content and the mood of the song that really pushes their learning into an accelerated pace. From what I have observed in my students, songwriting, which includes singing, playing, and keeping time seems to be the most enjoyable, immersive, and rewarding avenue of learning music. I look forward to future inquiries! I am extremely grateful to broaden students' intellect, creativity, and social skills with the gift of music.
Ignacio
Justin teaches both of my kids, one of them guitar and the other piano. He has a lot of patience and the kids love his class. I will definitely recommend him
Nalaka Deegala
We hired Justin for our 11 year old son, and we are very happy with the progress he’s made so far. He’s patient, kind, and an excellent musician in his own right. I highly recommend him for any age.
Brandi K
We have been with Justin for 5 months for my 7 year old daughter’s guitar lessons. We have been thrilled with her progress and her interest in music has flourished. Justin is extremely patient, encouraging, and goes at her pace. She looks forwards to each weeks lesson! Highly recommend!
Noah H
Justin is great! I’ve been playing guitar self taught for years and decided to take some lessons. He’s really helped take what I know and expand on it in fun ways! Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience under your belt I think Justin is a fantastic choice as a teacher. He’s very accommodating in his time and is a genuine and kind person.
Brian
Justin is an extremely patient and versatile teacher. He taught me a lot about following chord charts and being able to play with other musicians. He has a broad knowledge base and is willing to help you become the musician you want to be.
Mark
I've been taking guitar lessons with Justin for about seven months. Justin is always patient when answering the many questions I ask regarding not just technique and mechanics behind playing the guitar, but also regarding music theory. He emphasizes learning to play using songs that students are interested in learning, thereby providing familiarity and motivation. Justin is very adept at teaching to the student's level.
Satya Settipalli
Justin is super. He adjusts his lessons according to your pace and he is extremely knowledgeable. Could identify the chords and notes via poor zoom connection too and can tell you where you are doing mistakes and how to correct. Its been 2 months with him and I have learnt a lot. At the age of 39, people said its difficult to pick-up music but against all odds I am still surviving and enjoying the journey of learning guitar. Highly recommend to others. Don't waste your time and effort with self-training and it simply doesn't work. You need an expert to observe and guide and Justin has been a great teacher.
Lara Ye
Justin is great! My son really enjoyed the lessons and improved very quickly.
sahar
He is great ! my daughter is very excited to continue and she really enjoyed to learning process .
Athena
Justin is awesome! He’s patient and flexible. He takes you as you are and helps you meet your goals. I’ve been his student for about four months and already have the skills to make basic songs with my kids!
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