Guitar Lessons in Gainesville, VA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Michael has over 8 years of experience teaching students from age 6 through adult, from directing large ensembles (70+) to private lessons. He specializes in teaching singing, but also has taught beginning guitar and piano lessons, composition, music theory and history, and digital recording. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never want to pressure or overwhelm a student with too much information or expectation, because instead of the instruction being seen as a challenge, it is interpreted as an unenjoyable command, and that discourages the student from practicing to meet their goals, instead of motivating and inspiring them. What I find works best is relating lessons to popular current music, further exploring the bridge of dynamics that make up the songs that the student enjoys. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

Aestethics or "beauty" of the voice is subjective. In this method we favor the voice health. The ability to sing without fatigue. The confidence that we can trust in our instrument. The result of this work is after all a "beautiful" sound. And it will sound beautiful for every listener. "The acoustical result of a healthy sound is a beautiful sound. And we will agree in any culture that its beautiful because its an instinct aesthetic." (Eugene Rabine) The method itself comprehends 4 parts: 1) a theory about the functional system (how the instrument works) 2) a theory about the sensomotorial system (how one person learns a sensomotorial activity) And based on those 2 theories: 3) a specific Pedagogy 4) a specific Didactic I don't want to get too "technical" in this section, you're free to ask me if you have further questions about these aspect. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I have a handful of College music courses under my belt, as well as remembering and doing well in a handful of music courses from high school. I have an associates in arts backgrounds, and traversed the Guilford College music minor program in good standing. I have studied under a jazz guitarist, and was part of a high-ranking high school drumline during my high school days. I have studied privately in areas of Rock, Folk, and Blues especially. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

The student is the most important piece of the puzzle. If the student is not happy, then practice and lessons will not be a positive interaction. My goal is to make music as fun as possible. I have done the work of teaching myself and I have the hindsight of mistakes I made along the way; slight areas of wasting time, plateaus, you name it. Therefore, I have the answers to how to avoid some of the same mistakes I made! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Work on picking and speed and most importantly touch and feel. Learn to play in rhythm, with a metronome. Work on Finger picking as well, learn to use all 5 fingers on your right hand. or use the pick and 3 fingers, with me you WILL use your pinky or little finger, on both hands. Learn to read song charts, and notation and tab. Learn to work on speed, strength, stamina, play songs you like all the way from beginning to end. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I had an opportunity to start teaching early as a student leader in my high school music program and continuing into college. I've found that my students have a much higher level of success when they are encouraged to practice regularly at home. I use classical repertoire to build techniques across styles and modern music to keep students engaged. If they aren't enjoying themselves, I'm not doing something correctly. I encourage students to enter recitals and competitions as well as create their own original material. Read More