Guitar Lessons in Haskell, NJ

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I typically do not make lesson plans but go off of what a student wants to learn. I can make lesson plans upon request. Usually, for in-person lessons, we will play together and then talk about our playing. I will provide recommended exercises to do in between lessons. I will also recommend music to listen to as well as exercises to do in between lessons. One of the most important things about music is to practice at least 10-20 minutes every day. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have an open approach to teaching guitar, and encourage students to utilize knowledge obtained through my lessons in whatever context they prefer as opposed to gearing them towards a certain style of playing. Much of my own teaching was based in jazz, but I have managed to find myself utilizing much of what I was taught playing in a heavy, shoegazey rock band. The preferences of my students are important to me, and while setting goals for progress is important, it is important to me that students learn at their own pace and move forward on their own initiative. Read More

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

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with simple chords and teach them a few fun songs. If the student is interested in learning how to read music, I will use Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. 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 if they are interested in performing live. For adults, I like to find out what they are most interested in, whether it is a specific genre, (jazz/classical) or if they are more interested in learning songs (classic rock/pop/etc.) or songwriting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trombone Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass

Michael is a musical director, lyricist/composer, and music producer with an extremely varied background. He formed a medieval ensemble to perform at the premier of ROBIN AND MARIAN, and a Country-Western band for the South African equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. Hes a former musical director for National Lampoon's live shows and television specials, including CLASS OF '86, for which he also wrote several songs. Other television work includes the soundtrack for PBS BIOGRAPHY, LIFESTYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS, CNN TRAVEL SERIES, and the Jane Leeves sitcom THROB. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Phase 4: Intermediate Riffs and Techniques This is an extension of Phase 2 but expands on the difficulty and span of the riffs. At this point, the student will have very quick and strong hands and will be able to play difficult songs. We also will dive into the "why" here. I'll start to explain scales and scale degrees in relation to the same songs the student loves to play. Here we will also hone in techniques like bending, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For my students who are starting out as beginners, I want to make sure that I go at the pace at which the student feels most comfortable. If a student feels uneasy about the pace of the lesson then I will scale it back. The last thing I want to do is make my students second guess the reasons for why they picked up a guitar in the first place. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching private lessons while I was in graduate school, starting in 2016. I have taught at the Peabody Conservatory Prep Division, Yale College lessons program, Music in the Schools Initiative, privately contracted lessons, Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, and finally and currently, I teach full time as Associate Chair of Music and Assistant Professor at the University of Bridgeport since 2022. I have taught a wide range of styles from classical orchestral instruments to calypso music and steelpan. Read More