Ron G
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Ron G
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
Associate Degree: Holyoke Community College, Bachelor Degree: Westfield State College
I have been a player, performer, and student of the guitar for over 35 years. Growing up in Western Massachusetts, I began learning a solid classic rock/pop base of guitar music (along with the obligatory heavy metal years as a teen, and playing in garage bands), taking lessons in school and privately. I was later exposed to classical and jazz music, through lessons with Berklee alum Robert Ferrier, and went on to study at Holyoke Community College and Westfield State College, earning degrees in Jazz Studies and Performance. After relocating to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, I went on to play in various bands, ranging from all cover/variety bands, to all original bands, and everything in between, with range in many styles including blues, rock, country, folk, jazz, classical, and reggae. I have toured regionally around Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Louisiana, and have been on two European trips to play. I recently relocated back to western MA (in 2021), and am again pursuing teaching and playing guitar. I have been involved in 3 musical theater productions (pit band) to date, along with freelance performance shows, since returning to MA.
I taught private guitar instruction in the Springfield, MA area for 5 years, both on my own and for a local music business. and then for 24 years in Fort Worth, TX, also on my own, and for local businesses. I was an instructor at a summer session of Rock Camp USA, in Fort Worth in 2008, and was also a member of the Fort Worth Music Co-Op, volunteering as a guitar teacher with their sister group, the Fort Worth Music Outreach, in 2010-2011. I have taught all age groups, mainly through individual lessons, and I enjoy one on one, focused experiences. I do have experience with group instruction as well, and also with family and siblings' instruction (simultaneously). My main instrument is guitar, both acoustic and electric, pick style and finger style.I do also play and teach bass guitar (beginner-intermediate level), and have knowledge of the piano. I am well versed in music theory and applications, and ear training applications.
I tend to emphasize basics and fundamentals, as most teachers do. Developing facility, dexterity, and muscle memory is very important. I use simple exercises at first. In turn with various other exercises, confidence will gradually develop. Learning to play chords (rhythm guitar), and transitions between them is vital, to almost every style of guitar. Rhythm and awareness of the tempo and meter (beat) is also important, especially if the student will play music with others. Melody (lead) playing is not essential, but encouraged, as I believe it is a viable and gratifying skill. Supplemental books are helpful and encouraged, but not required, as is music theory and sight reading (standard notation). Many books will include technical studies such as theory, which can certainly be helpful. Playing by ear is very helpful and useful, and I do utilize that. The abundance of online instructional videos can also be a supplement, as are other websites that use tablature (tab) notation, which I also use. I do utilize pencil and paper for notes if necessary. Of course digital media is often used, and in lesson recording is allowed. Popular and recognizable songs are very helpful as gauges for progress: as students move through guitar basics, segments of songs become accomplished, leading to entire songs and more difficult musical endeavors. Practice with a metronome is highly encouraged.
Being a well rounded guitar player is something I truly enjoy. I believe all the different musical styles have positive and enjoyable aspects to them. And of course much of it crosses over (between styles) in modern times. That being said, a student can focus on one style for a time (or exclusively), and build serious proficiency. Whether it be playing cover songs, personal or collective creativity (songwriting), or simply noodling around: I tailor my instruction to what a student is trying to achieve, while also preaching objective learning of the guitar. A practical level of playing is always achievable, keeping in mind one's (typically busy) schedule. So small increments of self practice are necessary, gradually increasing stamina and confidence. Time on instrument is most important, for whatever one plays. Improvisation (playing on the fly) is a part of music that I have always enjoyed and appreciated, especially in a collective setting. It can be simple or highly involved improvisation, but I believe it is an important skill, and can be seen as a stepping stone. Once guitar basics are achieved, there are any number of directions one can go in. Whatever music makes you smile is yours to play!
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