Guitar Lessons in Bywood, PA

Instruments: Guitar

As a beginner, nothing is more satisfying than being able to play recognizable tunes as soon as possible. I typically lay out apatterned tier of simple and well knownmusical phrasesfor a student to gain initial confidence with while introducing basic performance principles. Once the the fundamentals of playingare beginning to click, we will start to customize our approach based on the student's particular goals. Not to worry, many students have a loose idea of what they are striving for at first and their curriculum develops naturally as they master certain skills and knowledge. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have experience with speech and voice therapy, as well as training in voice pedagogy, Alexander's Technique, and Body Mapping which I feel is important to include when teaching voice. Also, I believe it is up to the student or the student's parent(s) if lesson plans should be actively persued, and if they are then each student would be analyzed and have a unique plan that includes a combination of my experiences and training.   Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Bass Guitar

It is equally important to learn music from method books and through sonic exploration; I have personally learned a lot from books and while "noodling."When teaching trumpet (all skill levels), I use books including Arban's Complete Conservatory Method, Clarke's Technical Studies, and Schlossber's Daily Drills and Technical Studies.For guitar and bass guitar (beginner through intermediate), I start with Hal Leonard's Play Bass Today series. I teach beginner piano with the Bastien series and Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course.I also have a library of alternate method books and additional materials including excerpts, solos, duets, and play-alongs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I work with one of three methods books: Mel Bay, Hal Leonard, or the Berklee Guitar Method. I gauge this based on the age, skill level, and their time available to practice. Mel Bay is the easiest method to begin, whereas Berklee is more advanced and moves at a faster pace. Sometimes I slow Berklee down and combine it with Mel Bay as a teaching strategy (Mel Berklee, perhaps?). I also am not afraid to use alternative teaching methodologies or notational systems, such as tablature and internet resources, as I think these are vital materials that are relevant to how people interact with, consume, share, and learn music today. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Electric Violin Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

After receiving my degree in 2000, my first job was in the public school system in Bridgeton, NJ. I was brought in to build the orchestra program from scratch. I was in charge of selecting instruments and supplies to be purchased for the district as well as write the curriculum. During my time in the district, I taught 4th to 8th grade strings, as well as band, and was the assistant marching band director for the high school. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

I am an experienced musician with several thousand hours of deliberate, mindful practice in addition to extensive live performance experience. I have recording and live performance experience as a guitarist, vocalist, and bassist, along with 5 years of teaching under my belt. I am a self taught guitarist and have taken five years of voice lessons. I am a dedicated, reliable teacher who has a passion for teaching students about their selected instrument and music of all genres. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I began teaching the summer before my last year of my undergrad (summer of 2012) I worked at a few studios outside Pittsburgh (Batavia Studios in Mars, PA and Manella Guitars in Monroeville.) Since moving to NJ I got a couple more gigs as a teacher through recommendations (Westerhoff School of Music and Art in Metuchen and Music Tech in South Brunswick.) I also have a few private students. Last summer I worked at the Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute, a one week summer camp for high school kids. Read More