Guitar Lessons in Altadena, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

After I first received my Bachelor's Degree from CSU Fullerton, I opted to showcase my original music through distinct outlets. One of the resulting projects, themattsmithneujazztrio, has recorded three full-length records; my other project, JUICEBOX, has recorded two. I gained a masters of music in jazz drum set from California Institute of the Arts, where I was honored to record my own composition for the CalArts, 30th Annual Jazz CD at Capitol Records. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe in using a book and some basic tools, such as a player by which to play music (sometimes it's necessary to listen to a song in the moment to learn it myself on the quick and then teach it). So I was to cover the basic essentials of guitar playing, which includes scales, chords and techniques (ie, plucking techniques, 'tricks of the trade' like tapping, etc.) I believe in assigning homework. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar

Hi! My name is Matt C. and I'm a guitarist who has been teaching privately for over 20 years. I am a classical guitarist, but I can teach other styles as well. I have have my bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in guitar performance and music history and I have been teaching at the college level since 2006. Over the last few years, like many of us I have largely made the transition to online instruction and have found how effective it can be. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I cater my teaching curriculums to the student's interest and proficiency level. The first lesson would involve a discussion about what initially drew the student to the guitar, what genres they love, and what they hope to get out of the class. Next, we will go through the fundamentals, as appropriate for the student's skill level. After we've established a clear vision and certain rhythm of doing things, I would assign 15-20mins of warm-ups for each lesson -- tailoring the warmup exercises to specific techniques that the student wants to improve in. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I don't have much paid experience in teaching, however I've been helping my peers and family learn guitar since I was only 2 years into playing. Once I picked up guitar at 11 I rarely put it down, and there wasn't a longer window of a couple weeks where I wouldn't pick it up. (Even to this day). In middle school I took beginning guitar as an elective, thinking it'd be a fun easy A. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Studying music and a specific instrument is not a straight line. There are multiple lines that cross and support each other's continuation. As mentioned previously, "Theory, Application and Technique" sums it up. We can't focus on everything all at once, so we have to prioritize what makes sense to emphasize now so that it will help us prioritize something else later. We set tangible goals when focusing on technique ("play A major scale in 8th notes at 120 bpm, for example), and can do this with music theory to an extent as well ("write out the notes of the B minor scale"). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Acoustic Guitar

I never had a degree in music nor I mastered a musical instrument. It was just my hobby because in my country, music would only offer limited jobs or may not be even considered as a career by many. Until now, I really enjoy playing those different musical instruments but I have decided to focus on piano and saxophone (tenor) because they have been like my first love and true love, respectively. Read More