Guitar Lessons in Elizabeth, NJ

Instruments: Guitar

About 10 years ago I took a brief break from touring and, at a friends insistence, took on a few students. The excitement I would feel as I watched them go from absolute beginners to being proficient and, in some cases, performers themselves is indescribable. I have taught all ages from 6 to giving pro players a few tips and helping them brush up on their techniques. Any opppurtunity to share my knowledge with someone else is always relished. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I typically create my own lesson plans and try to cater them to the student. Most recently I've been working with trying to find a balance of teaching music theory and practical piano. When teaching theory, I often refer to Kotska's and Payne's "Tonal Harmony" for the order of the curriculum, and when it comes to exercises I will either write them out on the spot to demonstrate something to the student (I also feel it is important to SHOW the student how to MAKE music, ie. proper note notation, and symbol shape), or prepare them in advance if the content is more complex. 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

Instruments: Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar

I have had over 20 years of teaching experience in voice and guitar. In addition to my private teaching practice, I've taught at The Little Red School House in Manhattan as well as the Groove Academy in Edison, NJ. Although I have had the opportunity to teach to classes in the past, I much prefer one on one teaching. I feel that the student gains so much more by individualized lessons and can improve so much more quickly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am very laid back as a teacher. I do not expect my students to train and rehearse like professionals. I simply give homework so as to remind what their path is and what is the best method to achieve their goals. The homework is also there to help work on the obstacles they will face in their training. I totally understand that this is a hobby and want people to develop a passion for music in their own time. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Conga Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Having studied guitar formally for 4 years at Berklee, I pull from materials that I found most helpful to me during my own education. These include scales, chords, modes, picking patterns and even solos. Aside from fundamentals and exercises, my favorite method of teaching is asking a student what they want to learn, a song they enjoy for example, and doing my best to teach the student how to play it and why it works from a harmonic perspective. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Teaching for me works best on an individual level. Students work on different levels and languages concerning music, and you have to be able to adapt to them. Some people might understand everything from the get go, some students need graphic support, some student need to learn song to understand what they are doing. The important part of being an instructor is not the actual material to be taught but being able to clear the way for the student to learn and teach himself, as well as providing a direction towards understanding the instrument and music through the taste and necessities of each student. Read More