Guitar Lessons in Parkside, PA

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For students who are children I like to start to start learning rhythms through common children’s songs to show how easy music can be. Depending on the instrument, one of the many Hal Leonard books is always a good option. If they are a little older, I will use music that they like to teach how music theory and fundamental skills makes up all the musi they enjoy. We will often learn songs that speak to them and I will use their favorite genres to curate new songs to teach and show them new material and how it relates to their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I work with one of three methods books: Mel Bay, Hal Leonard, or the Berklee Guitar Method. I gauge this based on the age, skill level, and their time available to practice. Mel Bay is the easiest method to begin, whereas Berklee is more advanced and moves at a faster pace. Sometimes I slow Berklee down and combine it with Mel Bay as a teaching strategy (Mel Berklee, perhaps?). I also am not afraid to use alternative teaching methodologies or notational systems, such as tablature and internet resources, as I think these are vital materials that are relevant to how people interact with, consume, share, and learn music today. 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

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary from student to student. I believe strongly in making sure students are learning what they want to learn and adapting to every students needs! While I will employ different techniques with each student, I do tend to use several concepts universally. I like to use a Kodly based system to teach all styles of music. All music is taught through internalization by listening and analyzing and then emulation of what is heard. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Working for a local drum teacher in 2005, I started teaching private music lessons in students' homes. From there, I took up residence at a local music store where I taught guitar, ukulele, bass, harmonica, songwriting, and music theory for the next fifteen years. During the pandemic, I added teaching virtually to my repertoire and have fallen in love with it. Personally, I started playing music because I loved exploring and learning more about the music I I was already listening to--and I desperately wanted to learn how I could create my own sounds. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Clarinet Bass Guitar Double Bass

I am a graduate of Rowan University, having studied bass with a Jazz Studies degree. I have been playing and studying music starting with piano at the age of 8. In the 4th grade I ventured towards clarinet for the school band and played academically until graduating from high school, after which I continued in a less formal manner. When I was 12 I switched from piano to electric bass and have been playing it ever since in various styles from rock to jazz to classical and so on. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 25 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 5 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. Read More