Steve F
5.0
(9)
Instruments: Guitar
Styles: Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk
Steve F
5.0
(9)
Instruments: Guitar
Styles:
Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
30+ years of professional real life experience equivalent of a music degree
I have been teaching guitar for over 20 years. My teaching style is tailored to each student with an emphysis on making the lessons fun and interesting. I worked as a road musician for 15 years playing with many big name band such as The Classics IV and Billy Joe Royal and shared the stage with tons of professional road bands like: Blood, Sweat & Tears, Steppinwolf and The Allman Brothers to name a few. I love to teach guitar and especially enjoy working with kids and beginners,but can teach from beginners to advanced students.
I was born in Joliet, IL to totally non musical parents. But at the young age of 10, I discovered it. A music program for my class with “live” musicians playing real instruments ignited my life long vocation. From that day to this, my fascination with music has only gotten stronger. After 5 years of accordion lessons I began to take an interest in the guitar and started taking lessons. Through the years I have not only developed a love for the guitar, but the love of teaching the guitar. At 22, I got into my first road band and spent the next 8 years playing concerts sharing the stage with many of the great “name” bands on tour as well. Bands such as Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sugarloaf and Iron Butterfly are just a few to mention. When I came off the road my brother and I opened a music store and I began teaching the guitar. I keep the student in mind and create a way to make the lessons fun and interesting. When I was offered a gig as Billy Joe Royal’s guitarist it was back on the road. I've also done road work with such notables as The Classics IV and Archie Bell. After the tours I opened a recording studio and for many years I played on many artists' original songs playing guitar, keyboard and bass guitar as needed, as well as did the engineering on the tracks. During this time I began to rekindle my love of teaching guitar and began accepting students again. I say, “Teaching is one of the most enjoyable aspects of music”. When I finally closed the studio down I maintained a number of students and still do. Today, I also perform regularly with The Erin Hill Band.
For beginners I start teaching basic chords and chord patterns to generate interest for the student. Then I use the Hal Leonard Guitar method to teach the fundamentals of reading music, music theory, etc. Then as the student grasps these simple tools I teach songs to reinforce how chord patterns work and finally move to the type of music the student is interested in. For intermediate and advanced students I find out the level of competance the student currently has and tailor a program based on the needs of each student.
I teach many of the standard rock, classic rock and pop music favorites knowing that if you can play these styles, you can learn most anything.
Patricia
Steve is very good, Manny really likes him, he is very attentive with Manny. I think he is a perfect fit for us. Thank you for recommending him to us.
Leslyn
Steve is an excellent instructor. My son has really connected with him and he is learning the guitar quickly. Steve is patient and never rushes through a lesson in order to make it fit within the session time limit. In addition, before he leaves, he writes notes and instructions for my son to follow. By the next lesson, my son is confident in what Steve has taught him. Most importantly, Steve builds my son's confidence in his own own ability and progress after each lesson.
Emily
Steve gets you started right away with songs but also goes into music theory and reading music which adds to understanding and appreciation of the music. He is very approachable and you can tell that he absolutely loves music and teaching. It is hard not to be excited about the process of learning with Steve. If you are considering lessons I highly recommend Steve for any level of student.
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