Guitar Lessons in Benson, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Mark Deffenbaugh is an innovative, and provocative Jazz Artist and Educator. As a keyboardist, composer, and producer he has turned the heads of many of the most talented and famous personalities in Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, and R&B. Mark started his career early, playing gigs, in the Washington D.C. area, starting at the age of sixteen. Within a few short years he had numerous live and television performances to his credit. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

My approach seeks to breathe air under the wings of the students' interest and attention by making them a constant starting point, while also laying the groundwork of introspection for students to develop and apply their own practices of learning, exploration, and innovation going forward. My teaching methods focus on considering embodied experiences of music, as well as a range of philosophical considerations. Students will be encouraged to think about how feelings, subjectivities, sounds, and spaces interact in complex ways, along with a series of other metaphysical questions that I believe are essential to a holistic praxis of understanding and learning music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I recommend that anyone starting to learn music begins at the age of ten simply because of finger strength and focus. I also try to ensure that they practice at a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes a day between lessons to help them reach their full potential. I stand by the "practice makes perfect" saying wholeheartedly. I give small amounts of homework after every lesson and try to create a fun environment for learning that is stress-free. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, I first incorporate the fundamentals of each instrument while catering to their musical interests, along with encouraging them to take regular performance opportunities. I want students to focus on the technicalities of what they are doing, but relate it to how it relates to performance and musicality. In students analyzing what they are doing to create sounds, I am guiding musicians to be reflective in their practice and performance, which I believe is one the key characteristics of becoming a life-long performer and learner. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I began teaching my senoir year of college. I have been working with students of all ages ranging from 5 to 70. I tend to specialize in the beginner and intermediate. I Believe a firm foundation mixed with exploration is the key to a succeful music experience. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method depends on what the student wants to learn, if they prefer to start learning songs first that is fine but I will still make sure to cover basic music principles in early lessons and incorporate them into the lessons. I can also start with method books but I have found that students don't always want to start there. For students that want a well rounded approach I will combine one of the common method books with simple songs and chords that the student can get going on right away. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Bass Guitar

I have several tools that I use to get students playing music.  One of my favorite tools is the Music Flashcards made by Bastien.  Rather than teaching notes using an acronym like "every good boy deserves fudge" to teach notes, I use landmarks which get students to see the relationship between notes and allow them to read music with fluidity and ease.  I pair these flashcards with Music Tree book 1 and feel that they compliment each other very well. Read More