Guitar Lessons in Gwynedd Valley, 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: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Lute Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What I have found works best with semi-slow but significant results is the idea of 'planting seeds'. I describe this concept quite regularly with my students, and what I mean by it is that we will often talk about important musical ideas and simply make the student aware of what's happening. They may not totally understand it right away, but the seed is planted. We start off planting many seeds and sometimes the same seed multiple times. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I usually teach from Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method for preteens and young teens at a beginner level. These instruction books are structured from Book 1 to Book 6. As for older teens, young adults and adults, I usually teach from the acclaimed method book: Hal Leonard’s Music Guitar Method. These books are structured from Volume 1 through Volume 3. Although I use these books, it is not the end all be all. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I make sure that beginner students understand the instrument and start with the proper technique before they can develop bad habits. I try to pick a song or finger exercises for them each lesson as well as a few exercises where they can develop their reading skills. As a student becomes more comfortable with the instrument that is when we can get into more challenging pieces of music as well as different scales and exercises that will help them with their improvising as well as their overall understanding of music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For children I tend to teach songs by The Beatles as standard curriculum, as well as learning to read music proficiently. The things tend to be non-negotiable unless the parent informs me otherwise. For teens and pre-teens reading music is optional as well as the types of songs you wish to learn or the theory you wish to learn. That's just a general overview, along the way we learn all types of riffs, vamps, chords, scales, etc., to which we follow my standard development method, but never neglecting your own personal interests in music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Drums Banjo Mandolin Fiddle Orchestral Percussion Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started out as a percussionist, studying throughout high school and in to college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During my time in Boston, I discovered a bustling bluegrass music scene and my focus switched to stringed instruments, namely the mandolin and the violin. Since College, I have been using all veins of traditional music to join in and build communities of artists. I'm very well connected in the New York City Bluegrass, Irish, and Jazz scenes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have been a professional educator since 2008 and have worked at all levels from elementary, high school and college. I have been teaching guitar since 2015 and have focused on blues and jazz, though the majority of my performance experience is playing religious music. I have taught homeschooled children beginner and intermediate guitar in both private and group settings. I have also taught college students classic rock and blues style guitar. Read More