Lee G
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums, Organ, Accordion, Recorder, Conga, Music, Keyboard, Djembe, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, New Age, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Lee G
5.0
(3)
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums, Organ, Accordion, Recorder, Conga, Music, Keyboard, Djembe, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, New Age, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 8-80
Course Work: Monterey Peninsula College m
BMI Songwriters Competition Winner 2010
Mars Studio Songwriters Showcase Winner 2011
I played my first paid gig at age 11 on the accordion. As 2022 rolls by, I look back on 58 years of study, performance, writing and teaching. I am currently the musical director for the Monterey Comedy Improv. I’ve worked in the theater, on stage, and in clubs most of my life. Teaching music theory, songwriting and composition are a particular interest for me. I have also been mentored in Slack Key guitar by Keola Beamer in the Hawaiian islands. “Leeward” & “Hummingbird” are recent albums. You’ll find both on Spotify and iTunes.
Having started on the accordion in 1964, I moved to drums in the late 60s because they were so much fun. My family we’re all singers and I learn to accompany them at a very early age, so piano became my most comfortable instrument. Throughout the 70s I played in bands and on stage as well as doing musical direction for theater companies throughout California. The late 70s and 80s I started a band in Los Angeles called Lt. Elmo who went on to make two albums and perform throughout the Los Angeles area. I started taking on students from the mid 80s until now. Songwriting and composition have always been a passion and I have written songs for myself and for others since age 17. Of late, I have been teaching guitar with Guitars Not Guns in Monterey County. It’s been very rewarding to work with youth at risk and bring into their lives. I have also taught at the Monterey Bay Charter School with students from first grade to eighth grade in a Waldorf Education setting.
I always start by meeting the students where they are. There are a few lessons that are somewhat evaluatory for me to understand their capabilities, their goals and their learning styles. From there I work with basics of the importance of practice and things like posture in piano, hand strength in guitar, and vocal warm up in singing. I believe it is important to find what the students are fascinated with musically and build confidence and skill from that point. Every student is unique and has their own learning style. I am interested in finding that with them.
As I’ve said, each student has different needs. I endeavor to help each person reach their musical goals. Music is a joy and a practice. Focusing on the musical spark that resides in students sums up my style of teaching. Positive reinforcement and stair-step goal attainment is at the heart of tailoring my instruction to assist students reach their wants and needs. I believe in offering an understanding of why I assign something, so I teach music theory along with instrumental and vocal lessons.
Rich Westbrook
As the Director of Monterey Comedy Improv, I have been very fortunate to have Lee G. as our Musical Director since about 2018. He has helped us grow musically through his expertise and patience. What he brings to our performances, elevates everything we do. I recommend him highly.
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