Guitar Lessons in Merion Station, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

For beginner students, I often begin with the foundations of the instrument. For drums, we would be practice the rhythmic subdivisions (quarter, eighth, sixteenth notes) and slowly work them into grooves that they can easily start to pick out of their favorite songs. When the fundamentals have been established, we can learn more advanced grooves, dissect songs together, and learn how to improvise and write our own drum parts. My biggest focus as a teacher is to help the student discover the music that they want to learn and make so that they can develop their own unique voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

  On a more personal note, I am not the most high energy teacher. I don't yell or get mad. I am calm and I really just try to accomplish as much as I can in a lesson. Sure, we can have fun but I have a lot to offer and sometimes it just feels like a teacher never has "enough" time with the students. My best interest is always with the student's. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching musical arts for quite some time now and really enjoy teaching and seeing my students grow in skill and confidence. Before teaching private lessons and then in a local music school, I was in a working Rock and Roll band, playing mostly original songs. I have played from Pawtucket, Rhode island down to the Outer banks in North Carolina. Of course, we played the majority of our shows in Philadelphia. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

My teaching style is defined by a combination of high standards, understanding, nurture and patience. I will set realistic goals for each student based on his/her abilities. I will encourage and try new ways to explain or demonstrate a skill that the student is having difficulty with and I will be extremely enthusiastic about their accomplishments. However, I will assertively make it known if the student shows that they have not been practicing in a supportive way. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Music Acoustic Guitar

Prior to starting the formal lessons with the student, I like to understand why they want to play that particular instrument and the type of music that they enjoy. I also ask them about their musical experience. For example, can they read music, did they play any prior instruments, etc. Furthermore, to monitor each students' progress, I keep a lesson sheet that records what we worked on, what has been assigned, and any pertinent notes about the lessons. Read More

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

I don't think there is any one method book or instructional DVD that will give you everything you need. Even if an educational resource is extremely well done, it will still need to be tailored and digested in a certain way for each student. I generally use Mel Bay's Guitar 1 - expanded edition. While working with this book, there are additional materials such as exercises, concepts, and musical ideas often inserted at key moments. Read More