Guitar Lessons in Carefree, AZ

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am passionate about students not only exploring musical styles but really understanding every aspect of the music they are learning, including the history of the musical style, the composers and the more well known performers. It is important to me that each student comprehends the details of each new piece they learn including, the specific fingering required, the details of the rhythms, dynamics and composer's directions and markings. I also encourage every student to explore various musical styles, even when they claim to have a special favorite, this way their music world is expanded. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I taught at Lockport Music Center under Ralph Fava, who was an advocate of the Berkley teaching method. I also have taught private lessons for 7 plus years. I have played in Progressive rock bands in Buffalo N.Y. such as Paradyme and Weaponex. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar

I generally like to start my beginning students with lesson plans from the book" The Secrets of playing Piano by Ear" by Jermaine Griggs. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I try to focus on what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lesson fresh and FUN! Read More

Instruments: Guitar

With young students, I allow myself to be a bit more comprehensive in that I can start from the very basics from the beginning and even come up with simple games with rhythm, basic ear training and reading notation. The big challenge with young players is the actual act of physically playing the guitar and I encourage parents to invest in a quality instrument that is easy to play. I try and get my older children and teenagers to try and play as early as possible to develop a passion for the instrument, but not before building an understanding of the basics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

I do my best to tailor my style to each students specific needs and goals. In general, I am a very laidback and patient teacher. My students recieve clear and achievable goals at the end of each of their lessons to work on while they are practicing during the week. This enables students to be able to really see their own progress as the practice. I also believe in music lessons being an enjoyable experience for students so I include students in making the decision for what pieces they would like to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Euphonium Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I started playing the piano in college and have learned to play many instruments in my career. I was an Elementary school teacher for 20 years teaching music, band, English Language Arts, Science, and History. I guess you could say I've had a great deal of experience with children as well as adults and still enjoy working with kids in my studio. I have a tattoo on my arm that says, "Music is my Nature" and I guess that says it all for me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More