Guitar Lessons in Forest Hills, NY

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to lay a foundation for what musical notes are and how they relate to the instrument. If we're on guitar I will draw a piano keyboard and give the student the guitar string names and make them figure out the rest of the notes. Then I teach them what chords are and, now that they know their way around a fretboard, they can build the chords themselves. While most students aren't total beginners and won't need all of this groundwork to be laid by me, I've found that almost everyone has gaps in knowledge, more often than not when it comes to actual note names and the music theory behind the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My approach to teaching really varies depending on the students specific needs. For absolute beginners, I can tend to follow a more concrete progression, but depending on who the student is, and what they're level of passion may be for learning something specific, the lesson may be highly specific. If the student is interested, I personally like to give them an understanding of some of the theory as they go along, even if they are a beginner because I believe it helps them to see the bigger picture. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I don't believe that there is any single "right" way to make or produce music. Music is an international language that transcends boundaries of statehood, culture, and identity. As a South African, I was raised on the drumbeats and rhythms of traditional Zulu and Xhosa folk music. Upon moving to the UK, I received classical "western" training in drum kit, chorus, and piano. In my professional career, I learned the "rules" of recording and production, mastering Pro Tools under the tutelage of some of the finest producers in the business. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that it is important for students to understand that music is a language that transcends their instrument of choice. When they understand that music is its own language, the possibilities that they were not aware of become open to them, such as easily learning a second or third instrument. If the student or parents request a set curriculum as in the book form, my main go-to book is The Best Guitar Method by Brian Rivers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Since then I have volunteered for my hometown's summer music enrichment program, and have continued to do one-on-one lessons. Outside of music I very often found myself in teaching scenarios. For several years I instructed WTF Taekwondo, holding a rank of 2nd Dan Black Belt. I also taught and assisted my mother in teaching Sunday school for several years. Throughout my years of teaching experience I've worked with all age ranges and levels of proficiency. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I draw inspiration largely from my Rudolf Steiner-inspired pre-college education and my Carl Orff-inspired higher education. Waldorf/Steiner education "emphasizes the role of imagination in learning, striving to integrate holistically the intellectual, practical, and artistic development of pupils" while the Orff Approach "combines music, movement, drama, and speech into lessons that are similar to child's world of play." Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

Nothing makes me happier than having the opportunity to share my love of music and guitar. Upon graduating from Skidmore College in 2000, I was accepted to Florida State University to the classical guitar program under the study of Bruce Holzman. I feel my decision to simultaneously work towards two masters degrees speaks clearly for my motivation and passion towards music. While I focused on music theory/composition for my PhD studies at Louisiana State University, I continued performing newly composed works by graduate composers for the instrument. Read More