Guitar Lessons in Simsbury, CT

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

My methods for teaching are directly linked to the desires of the student and what they hope to achieve by learning how to play an instrument. If a student is particularly interested in songwriting and composition, I'd be more inclined to emphasize the principles or harmony, counterpoint, structure and written music, whereas if a student is more interested in becoming an instrumentalist for a band etc., I'd be more inclined to emphasize rudiments, scale exercises and a jamming mentality. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar

For myself at least, music has provided me with a sense of higher purpose, as well as given me many lifelong friends along my own musical journey! My goal is to have each one of my students be able to have that same experience, in a way that is tailored to them and their needs! I feel learning is best achieved when the student has real interest in the material. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching guitar and piano privately for the past 10 years ago, and was even selected by the Hartt School to be a piano tutor during my junior and senior years. In my undergraduate studies I took a few courses dedicated to the art of pedagogy. Through these courses I even had the opportunity to teach in front of renown faculty and gain insight from experts. The ability to share my love of music with others is one of the most rewarding experiences, and I often feel that I learning as much from teaching as from my own studies. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My Teaching style is both focused and laid back. While this may sound like complete opposites from each other and wouldn't work well together, it actually does work very well. I focus a lot on figuring out what the student really wants to learn and what will keep them motivated. I'll instill the importance of consistent practice and working hard to achieve their goals but at the same time it all still needs to be fun! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

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. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

From my experiences teaching in classroom settings, I have come to realize the importance of setting short and longer term learning goals for my students and adjusting these goals together with them as we work towards reaching these objectives. Sometimes the goals are very specific, like mastering a particular concept, or practicing towards a specific audition, and some, more general, like developing certain techniques which then need to be further explored and practiced by the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele

I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter festivals, camps and performing events as well as work on their own composing, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More