Guitar Lessons in Benson, MD

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I encourage my students to experience all styles of music, classical, pop, blues,country, rock etc. so they can create their own music. I teach students to sight read their music. For beginning students I require a guitar methods book. Young students like to accomplish finishing books and I find this is a useful means to measure accomplishment. It is important to me that my student learn the basic fundamentals and after they have grasped the concept and proved and understanding I introduce them to different styles to using the guitar pick. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Firstly, I teach the student the anatomy of the guitar and how to tune it, along with how to hold a pick. After that, I start teaching students how to identify notes on the fretboard. When they have a good grasp on that, I start to teach the basic modes, such as the major, minor, pentatonic, blues, lydian, mixolydian, and dorian modes, and while they are learning these, I give them exercises that use these modes to increase the student's mechanical skill, such as going up and down the scales in patterns of three/four/etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin

I have been teaching for the past 26 years and have had as many as 50 regular students a week. I have had several students who have gone onto earn college degrees in music, both inperformance and education. I teach students to read music and provide them a firm foundation in chord structure and music theory that will enable them to play diverse styles of music. Once a student achieves a certain level of compentency, I encourage them to bring music to their lessons that especially appeals to them so they can develop their talent and love of music in a way that serves them best. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I don't use a single method for all my students; rather, I assess their needs and then choose or create a method. I do, however, always start students in a lesson book series. I typically Faber's Piano Adventures or Adult beginner books, although I have also used the American Popular Piano lesson series. I also create technique exercises (scales, arpeggios, etc.) for students each week. As the student progresses through the lesson series, I begin to add solo repertoire and to encourage memorization. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I accommodate young students by mixing in play with rote-practice and constantly communicating with parents so that they can help guide their child's practice at home. I work alongside adult students by making sure that I take into account the breadth of their ambition against their time constraints when creating their regiments. The truth is that, if you are just learning guitar or trying to significantly improve, you are taking on a substantial commitment. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For younger students I usually recommend a method book or I make copies from my own library for the student.  I usually will teach fundamentals through a book, but I always look for opportunities to convey musical principles in a more natural way, and especially for kids, fun is the most important method there is.  Often times a student will stumble upon something interesting unintentionally and I use these moments to teach, because it both encourages them to recognize their natural talent and helps the student to make connections from their limited technical skills to greater conceptual knowledge. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I place a strong focus on fundamentals, while customizing lesson plans based on the student's skill level and musical interests. Most importantly, I like to keep things fun for my students by finding out more about their favorite recording artists, and creating exercises that incorporate this into their learning. By connecting with these unique interests and encouraging regular practice, lessons are much more enjoyable for students. In addition , more traditional concepts such as music theory are also offered on request. Read More