Guitar Lessons in Novi, MI

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My name is Anthony Richardson, also known as TJ. I am the former lead guitarist of the Detroit-based heavy metal band Halloween. I also have my own progressive metal project, called Salvation’s End. I spent many years touring the US and Europe with Halloween, which was an incredible experience. I graduated from Full Sail University with an Associate’s Degree in music production. I specialize in composing original music in the heavy metal/hard rock genres, with a focus on technical and progressive elements. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For novice students who are children, I typically start with small bite size lessons that I have honed over my career in teaching. I include a backing track that will be engaging. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce songs that are easy to play. Video performances are highly encouraged. For teens, I try to find out what bands the student is interested in, to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I try to go slow at first, focusing mostly on the instrument and how it works as well as how to take care of it. For instance, with guitar I teach them string names, how to change strings, what the different parts are (i.e. bridge, neck, tuners.) I'll teach a few chords along with this and when they are getting a handle on those I will move into learning scales and songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For young students just beginning, I use a system of "music play" which includes games and engaging activities for the child to become interested in music. I borrow heavily from both Music Learning Theory and the Orff Method, as well as include games and ideas that I have found to be creative and educational. After this stage of learning, I start students on basic notation and sight reading, and learning what the notes on the page mean. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer

For beginning students, I start with the traditional Mel Bay (or comparable) beginner books that focus on the fundamentals while building strength and coordination and just build from there.  For students with a little more experience, I like to focus on more challenging exercises and concepts while nurturing their knowledge of music theory and performance.  Each student is different and knowing what motivates them motivates me.  My goal is to have them want to pick up their instrument and play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Double Bass Euphonium Tuba Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to give fun, free feeling lessons. While I go into each lesson with a goal in mind, I enjoy going on brief tangents for life lessons, performance tips, or applicable and funny stories. I am known to be very animated and energetic as a teacher and I have learned that students feed off of this energy, allow us to be more productive which results in outcomes that are significantly greater. I like to focus on fundamentals and excellent musical character before working into repertoire and I have had a great deal of success with my students, having used this approach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Bass Guitar Double Bass

Music has always been my full-time profession. At the age of 13 I started playing bass in local bands professionally. After high school, I embarked on a collegiate musical journey, which led me to stays at Columbia College in Chicago, Bowling Green State University (where I received a full tuition scholarship) and Wayne State University. During that time, I have always kept up a busy lesson studio and performance schedule. During the last 8 years I have performed over 150 times per year, all over the country. Read More