Marc M  
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Punk

I have been teaching way back since i was a teenager.  Was sort of a natural at getting across to people.  my passion for music culminated with me getting an education in it and living it out.  I regularly perform which is a motivating factor for many of my students.  I always ask "why do this...so the walls in your 8 X 12 are entertained?"   Of course there are some that only want to play the guitar for their own personal gain, IE "Picking and Grinning" and to that I understand and commend.  I still try to get my claws in their head to perform with the band however....  Any instrument you take on is like an exercise routine. You need to treat it as such, realize that discipline and repetition is the only way you'll achieve success. Also, on the professional outlook, It's much easier than people think to make money in music. You must expose yourself and create a promo pack. You are a bigger entity than you realize!

I stress the importance of reading music from the get go.  I do understand however that some (adults) only want to learn to play some songs for their own personal gain, and not have to mess around with note reading.  (Guitar is an instrument that can be played by ear, and to some degrees at a high level.)  To that I do not require any books.  I'll always reiterate the importance of reading..."Just think how good Eddie Van Halen would have been had he been able to read music!" For Children: Mel Bay Children Guitar Method 1 (Blue Turquoise cover) For beginners steel string and jazz: Hal Leonard Guitar method book 1 (Black and Orange cover) For Classical:  Foundations in Classical guitar by Brian and Mary Lou Roberts   I ALWAYS strive for the student to become familiar with performing and playing with others.  Only upon a request from the parent or the student itself will I not present performing opportunities and or group lesson type opportunities.  I regularly hold student jam sessions where the students get to play with my band on songs that they are working on.  I will explain this process upon our first meeting.