Steve L
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Recorder, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Electronic, Flamenco, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Steve L
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Recorder, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Electronic, Flamenco, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
B.A. in Music, Salem State University
M.M. Jazz Studies, City College of New York
2007- Presidential Arts Scholarship, Salem State 2008- Creativity Award, Salem State
I am a patient and flexible teacher. I have extensive knowledge of theory and various techniques, but I make sure the student is learning what they want. I believe in teaching songs to introduce new skills. Through repertoire, the student can learn theory, ear training, technique and other fundamental skills. I have been playing guitar and bass since 2000 and started playing piano and ukulele in college in 2008. I specialize in jazz and improvisation, but I have studied and love all kinds of music like folk, reggae, classical, rock and blues. I have a degree in music from Salem State University and I have been teaching all ages for 7 years.
I started playing bass at 11, playing in rock bands with friends. We gained a lot of experience performing in those days. I extended to guitar shortly after bass and began practicing other styles and improvising. Around age 16 I started getting into jazz and that is when I started to get serious about music. I went to salem state university and studied jazz and classical guitar as well as piano and ukulele. At Salem I got a great education which extended to ear training, singing, performance, music history and just a lot of great advice from teachers. I have been teaching guitar, bass, piano and ukulele since 2010. I will always be a student. I continue to study by transcribing songs and going to Barry Harris jazz workshops.
If a student is just starting out, we go over the parts of the instrument, how to hold and make a sound with the instrument. We start with simple songs that only have a few notes. We learn easy song after song and learn the notes along the way. once the student has enough skill on the instrument I start to have the student pick songs they want to learn. This is the general method, but every student is different and therefore all my lessons are unique to the student. I always try and find what the student likes, or how they like to learn and I shape my lessons accordingly.
My style is to create a stress-free environment. Making music is fun and fulfilling and I make sure the student gets to experience that for themselves. I am very flexible with my approach. If I notice a student hates to read music, then we will practice learning by ear, or vice versa. If I notice my student is writing his or her own songs, then I foster that by teaching composition. Some students like theory and building chords so I will teach them about theory/harmony. My style a nutshell is to let the student choose their path and I will be with them along the way to help them grow and make sure they develop good habits and gain a deeper understanding of what they are doing.
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