Matthew C
Instruments: Guitar, Classical Guitar
Styles: Classical
Matthew C
Instruments: Guitar, Classical Guitar
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 8-80
Claremont Graduate University Fellowship
CSUSB Outstanding Graduate in Music
Hi! My name is Matt C. and I'm a guitarist who has been teaching privately for over 20 years. I am a classical guitarist, but I can teach other styles as well. I have have my bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in guitar performance and music history and I have been teaching at the college level since 2006. Over the last few years, like many of us I have largely made the transition to online instruction and have found how effective it can be. Because I believe that everyone should do music in some capacity, I really enjoy working with dedicated students of all ages and levels.
I have considerable experience teaching music and first started giving private lessons in the early 2000s while completing my bachelors degree in guitar performance. As I went on to graduate school and then ultimately to complete my Ph.D. in musicology, I continued to teach privately that whole time while also teaching lecture courses at local colleges. If you are interested in some reviews of my teaching, visit: https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=2498087 or https://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=1531968 Through my teaching experience, I believe I have found the proper balance of giving students the right amount of regimented material while still encouraging artistic creativity.
I consider my role as an instructor as one where I give the students information that they can't (or at least it would be very difficult) to learn on their own. I focus a lot on proper technique and reading notation for the guitar. I believe that the sooner a student no longer needs me to learn new pieces and grow artistically, the better I have done my job. My ultimate goal is to foster a deep love and appreciation for music, because I believe that at least in a small way this makes our world a better place.
I enjoy teaching dedicated students very much and it is extremely rewarding seeing them progress. To me, my most successful teaching has been with students who weren't necessarily the most talented, but who were the most enthusiastic about learning. I think with guitar methods, the pedagogy is not as linear as other instruments and there tends to be a jump in difficulty at about the two-year point. Once the jump is made, students then enter the intermediate level and beyond. I find that the students who are able to make this jump most effectively are usually the most enthusiastic ones and I make great efforts to foster the kind of excitement it takes to move forward.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.