Guitar Lessons in Pasadena, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I have been playing guitar and singing for 20 years. I have formal guitar training from John Jennings (of Mary Chapin Carpenter) and Tom Giata (One Life to Live, All My Children, etc.). I also have had formal vocal training from Matt Kramer (Saigon Kick). I am certified to teack Piano, Guitar and Voice beginner and intermediate levels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

The most satisfying moment as a teacher is when a student finally "gets it", and for students, I find that lessons are the most fun when the student feels capable and not overwhelmed. I like to challenge my students and encourage them to exceed even their own expectations of their abilities. With this in mind, my overall teaching philosophy emphasizes gaining technical mastery over the student's chosen instrument, strong music reading and theory skills, along with creativity and improvisation to turn them into well rounded players who can hold their own in just about any music setting from the stage to the studio. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience goes back to my college days, as I began teaching private adult lessons for my Studio class 5 years ago and have been teaching privately ever since. For the past year, however, I've been an elementary music teacher in Washington, D.C. I am certified to teach Pre-K-12th grades in public schools, although I usually coach adults privately. I now live in Richmond and gig around the area frequently at weddings, churches, and local venues/theatres. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I accommodate young students by mixing in play with rote-practice and constantly communicating with parents so that they can help guide their child's practice at home. I work alongside adult students by making sure that I take into account the breadth of their ambition against their time constraints when creating their regiments. The truth is that, if you are just learning guitar or trying to significantly improve, you are taking on a substantial commitment. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music and Jazz can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I recommend that anyone starting to learn music begins at the age of ten simply because of finger strength and focus. I also try to ensure that they practice at a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes a day between lessons to help them reach their full potential. I stand by the "practice makes perfect" saying wholeheartedly. I give small amounts of homework after every lesson and try to create a fun environment for learning that is stress-free. Read More