Drum Lessons in El Paso, TX

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
In the beginning of learning a new skill, whether it be a new scale or a new solo, I always recommend using a tape recorder (or app) and a metronome. Recording yourself and playing that recording back may seem uncomfortable at first, but I find students love hearing their improvements from day one and on for themselves. In addition to the recordings, a metronome can be incredibly useful when learning to fluently play a new scale or passage. Having the appropriate phrasing and timing is also quite practical when playing in a band situation, so these skills can pay off in a big way!

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
A student's readiness for lessons is based on a number of factors that may be present in some and not in others. A big pre-requisite for taking lessons, particularly in younger students, is a genuine interest in learning the instrument. A student who is not interested in the content obviously will not retain the information as well as one who is passionate about what they're learning. As far as an age range goes, I've seen students as young as three take music lessons. However, kids usually form a genuine interest in learning around 7 and up from my personal experience.

When will I start to see results?
That question is sometimes more difficult to answer than people give it credit for. Typically, I do not like to put timetables or due dates on a student's progression. Doing this is an easy way to demotivate and un-inspire even the best of players. Instead, I encourage students to set personal goals for themselves. This teaches the student the incredibly useful skill of taking accountability for their own progress. If a student sets a goal for themselves, it's not their instructor who keeps them honest, it's themselves. And that is the true measure of progress.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose the guitar for a few reasons, but they can be summed up in two words: Jimmy Page. I grew up listening to classic music that my dad had on in the workshop all of the time, such as Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and Guns N Roses to name a few. I didn't know what the feeling was I got when I listened to this music when I was younger, but as I got older, I recognized that feeling as inspiration. I was inspired, fascinated and most of all engaged by guitar oriented rock, so when I was in my early teens, I decided I wanted to learn how to do it myself.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided to be a professional musician pretty much the second I felt the intense happiness I experienced at my first public performance! The first band I'd ever played in got booked to play at a small benefit show and it was off to the races from there. Eventually when I found out I could get payed for my skills is when I decided to focus on music as a career and not simply as a hobby. It was a gradual shift from being a hobbyist, but I also played it safe and kept a consistent day job. Looking back in retrospect, I could have gotten when I am now alot faster by just jumping in!

Read More