Guitar Lessons in Opal, VA

Instruments: Guitar

With beginner students I like to start off learning to read music (it's not that hard!) I like to use the Mel Bay Method 1 book as a teaching tool. This book has two strong points, it explains the fundamentals of music very well and is easy to understand, while starting off playing songs right away. Once we have enough of the basics down then I start working on guitar techniques and learning songs that focus on those skills. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I have played at noteable venues like the Downtown Events Center, Regency Park, and Berkeley Music Hall as well as The Pour House and even well-known coffee shops throughout my area. I combine classic rock with new age rock approaches in my guitar and drumset intruction. I am big into the blues and rock and folk styles especially, but can teach a few others thru the Intermediate levels. I have most experience as an instrumentalist performing in rock bands in the greater Raleigh area. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching in the music performance/ production field in 2010, while away at Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland. I started teaching production to middle school students first, using my laptop, audio interface, and midi keyboard. What surprised me the most was that the students wanted to play the keyboard more than record their voices, so with that being the case, my journey as a piano teacher began. After that class I became a music teachers aid and eventually found a position as a part time piano teacher at a performing arts camp. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style has been described as one that rewards hard work and dedication, but leaves room for experimentation and fun. I believe that each student has unique gifts to offer the world, and it is my job to uncover them through a combination of connecting to the individual as a person and allowing their personality and aptitude to shine. My goal is always to inspire my students to want to learn, instead of fostering an environment where they feel forced into it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I love to see my students overcome challenges in music. My music teacher used to say, "nothing is hard, or difficult, just challenging." If students learn how to practice effectively on their own, learning new music becomes easier over time. I teach my students how to approach a certain rhythm, phrase, or fingering and the techniques to do so correctly such as by slowing down and practicing with a metronome, our muscle memory will be able to play it up to speed once it's learned. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My background in piano playing and composition development is synopsized on my website www.ivorytunes.com as follows: "Enlighten yourself to contemporary new piano music with a jazzy, movie theme flair that emboldens variety, flair and a fresh change to the choices in the current market. The Ivory Tunes website of Vint Hill, VA showcases original piano songs composed by Mike Ryon. His ambition is to add variety and pizzas to your current listening and playing repertoire as well as inspire developing performance musicians to venture down the path of original song composition through inward inspiration and creative enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute Drums Piccolo Acoustic Guitar

First of all, I am someone who took formal private lessons for drums and flute from 5th grade all the way through college. I have been at School of Rock for about a year, where I am responsible for many individual as well as group lessons. I have taught a wide variety of ages ranging from 5-23, and I am extremely open to adult lessons. I am a firm believer that it's never too late to learn and that adults are more able to appreciate musical accomplishments. Read More