Guitar Lessons in Hilltop, OH

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

First I try to set goals and learn more about the student (schedules, passions, goals, etc.). Then I focus on the basics. The first lesson almost never results in the ability to play anything because it's so important to avoid practicing with improper technique. First the student must learn hand position, how to support the guitar, how to hold the pick and more before a note can be played. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals I move on to a simple song in the category of music that I know they'd like to focus on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

Music should be fun. If it isn't fun, why do it? Music is art, not machinery, and I believe lesson time should be the perfect blend of work and fun. It takes work to achieve new skill levels in music, but it takes joy, love and fun to make the work worth it! I help guide students to achieve new goals by encouraging and always pointing to the positive (because to me negative reinforcement just doesn't work). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My program is one that I have developed over the last 18 years. I use no method books. I ask my students to bring a blank manuscript book that I will fill up as we go forward. I also highly encourage all of my students to have a keyboard of some kind available to them, IE: a piano, organ, or even one of those battery-powered little CASIO keyboards that one can buy for $15-25 at a Salvation Army or Goodwill store. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

The material I teach covers scales, chords, and music theory. We can practice a variety of exercises that help improve your rhythm and dexterity. In order to tie everything together, I think it is important to play music with each other and along with recorded music as an example. Admittedly, the content of scales, chords, and music theory in itself can be dry. This is why I tend to customize how to practice something like a pentatonic minor scale. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Music Acoustic Guitar

For beginning guitar students, I start with Alfred's Basic Guitar Method. Once a foundation is established, I gauge where the student wants to go stylistically and tailor lesson plans from there. There are a plethora of guitar methods available, but I find it most valuable to learn parts from recordings of the guitarists whom they most want to emulate. For bass guitar students I typically use my own materials. I'll begin with scales and will draw from classic fundamental bass parts that are derived from early RB and Rock Roll. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

5+ years of private guitar instruction in professional setting students of all ages Comprehensive knowledge of music theory, ear training, sight reading, chords, scales, arpeggios and pronounced stylistic versatility.  Samuel Clouse is a skilled guitarist and dedicated music educator with a degree from Musicians Institute. With ample years of teaching experience, he has worked with students of all ages, helping them develop their skills and passion for music. His teaching abilities were recognized in The Columbus Dispatch for his work at the School of Rock. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Mandolin

The most important thing for any student of any skill level is to be excited about playing and practicing their instrument. For beginners, I start by introducing the instrument and how all the parts work together to make music. We then move on to the basics of chords and scales, along with exercises to help build dexterity in the fingers. For intermediate or more advanced students, lessons are catered more to what that particular student needs, whether they wish to work through particular songs, styles, or techniques. Read More