Joseph J  
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Funk, Reggae, Mariachi

I have been an enthusiastic guitar player for 15 years, and an instructor for guitar and bass for 10 years.  I began teaching music in 2002, my senior year of high school, to begin making extra money for school.  In the past, I have kept a steady repertoire of 3-6 guitar students, but I'm ready for more. My work experience extends beyond music into the field of Pediatrics and occasionally Geriatrics -- I love dealing with people of all ages.  I have played in church, I have played in rock bands, I have played in mariachi bands, I have played in jazz bands, and I've even played in small classical groups.  I relish the challenge of learning new styles of music, even new instruments.  I can play the mandolin, the banjo, and the ukulele.  I can teach 4- or 5- string bass to an intermediate to advanced level.

My methods are largely dependent upon the personality and learning style of my students.  One thing is always constant in my teaching, and that is the monitoring of the students ability to read and interpret written music and tablature.  The first week or two is devoted solely to establishing a basic ability to site-read music within the student.  From that point, the journey into the world of guitar begins. I tend to employ the Hal Leonard method of teaching, following along with several of the Hal Leonard guitar books, for electric and acoustic guitars, also bass.  After a period of one to three months of learning, I then allow the student to choose which style of music that he or she would most like to learn, then follow along with that using sheet music, tablatures, playing by ear, and other resources.