Guitar Lessons in Derry, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Once upon a time, one of my co-workers asked me to show her how to play some songs on the guitar. I can't remember exactly what those songs were, but I think it was Led Zeppelin, or something like that. Having never taught a lesson in my life up until that point, I reluctantly agreed, and later that week, she arrived at my front door with guitar in hand. As the lesson went on, I had a couple of "Aha" moments! Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I am open to whatever a student seeks to learn through guitar lessons. The more attention I give to a student's interests, the more motivation I see in their abilities. I feel that giving students goals helps them learn at an increasingly consistent rate. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have been playing guitar since age 10 to the present (age 56). Styles primarily include:rock, blues, jazz, funk and r & b. Studied music with various teachers at various levels during the first 15 of those years. Have extensive experience in live performance in the concert and club venues in Pittsburgh,Pa., and Ft Lauderdale/Miami, Fl regions. Also, have taught private lessons on and off during these years when schedule allowed. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For classical guitar students, I've found the best methods to building a good foundation as well as technique is both the Christopher Parkening and Frederick Noad methods. The student also gets a great selection of repertoire to go along with the basics of technique in each. For all other styles of playing, I've found that the Berklee Guitar Methods work well in building the fundamentals in a students playing in the beginning stages. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele Music Acoustic Guitar

As I said before in my experience, I am a certified Suzuki violin teacher by the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and it is for that reason I principally use the Suzuki Methodology. However, I know every student is different. It is for that reason that I apply differently to each of them. I encourage my students to work toward different goals that we set up in the beginning of their lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola

I follow the American String Teachers Association's curriculum for orchestra education as a guideline for the skills and techniques that students must develop. The skills are developmentally sequenced and build upon one another like a stack of blocks. In each of my lessons, I assess what students know and what students could practice, and together, we remediate and master each skill or technique. I also frequently ask for student input on what music we are playing and what the student's goals are in order to better tailor each lesson. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

There is not one specific method that I use to teach; I use combinations of various methods which I have learned over the years, and I tailor the lessons to best fit each individual student's level and what they are interested in musically. While I recommend learning to read music, I will not force anyone to do it if they don't want to. And just remember, even Jimi Hendrix couldn't read music. Read More