Guitar Lessons in Alton, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music

As a recent graduate of the Eastman School of music, I am dedicated to the arts and passionate about teaching students of all ages. I am a friendly, outgoing and motivating teacher who will work with each student individually to develop lesson plans that correspond to what they are hoping to learn. I am passionate about musical theatre and classical singing and have a wealth of knowledge in both styles. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I fell in love with music at a young age, hearing relatives sing and play, and began taking guitar and bass lessons as a teen.  I then majored in bass and music at Onondaga Community College, which is known for it's music program.  I have had the opportunity to tour the country with a band out of Austin, Texas, as a signed professional musician with a national act.  I recorded a love show for XM Radio, and have had a song played on NPR. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

After that I still try to keep it relaxed but a bit more focused. The first lesson with any student is usually a sort of trial-and-error phase until the student starts to feel comfortable with methods/approach. I do use books but don't rely on them. If a student is really trying to focus on a particular aspect of music, like for example phrasing during improvisation, then I can share my own knowledge and recommend professional material to them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Mandolin Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Conga Latin Percussion

My method in teaching depends on the instrument and the age. For beginners on band instruments and piano, I would start them with a method book of their choosing (though I would steer them in a good direction). For guitar and drumset, the use of method books is fine...but this would not be my first approach. It is important for students to be familiar and fluent in music notation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music for me has always been a potent and even spiritual form of expression and communication. I try to share my passion with the students I instruct. After picking up my first guitar in the year 2001, I knew I had found my life path. I learned early on to integrate theory and jazz concepts into what I was playing - namely psychedelic/progressive rock, jam music, and funk. It is also worth noting that I have experience playing cello and upright bass in orchestras during my high school years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Interestingly enough, my musical background has proven to be of great value to me. Anywhere from learning music theory on a deep level, to having the wonderful privilege of being able to appreciate the whole world as music via having trained musical ears. There were a few colleges that helped me out with gaining these skills, and even though they were state schools, I had the honor of meeting and learning from amazingly caring and worthwhile professors. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Tuba Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Yes for teaching piano I use Nancy and Randall Faber's books. I have used all of them. For guitar and mandolin I generally do not use a "book". As the lessons progress I might introduce a book if that is what is called for. All orchestral instruments call for the structure of a book and I augment that with my own explanations. This is true for all ages of learners. Read More