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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in Philadelphia . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Guitar Lute Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I was also already teaching privately due to demand from the members of of the Princeton and New Jersey Classical Guitar Societies. I was concentrating on classical students but also taught folk, pop, rock, and jazz styles. I did this until the age of 16, when I moved to NYC to begin my Bachelors studies at the Manhattan School of Music under the legendary Manuel Barrueco. I taught both privately and at local NYC music schools during my Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral years of study. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar
I actually have my own teaching method mixed in with the way I learned how to play guitar. I learned by learning basic scales and chord shapes. I try to be as interseting as possible so the student does not lose interest in playing. If the student has any questions. I make sure it is taken care of right away during the lesson. I assign homework and you are expected to practice atleast once a week or learning guitar will be harder and more frustrerating. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Helping a student develop his or her own musical voice is my ultimate goal, so crafting our lessons in a way that helps achieve this is how I approach teaching. I believe that students learn best in a nurturing environment where they can feel free to experiment and be free from judgment. I help students define a goal and work towards it in a relaxed but confident and consistent manner. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Clarinet Bass Guitar Double Bass
In regards to teaching style, I am persistant with practice, while understanding of ability. This is a method that is applied by setting goals and following a direction that introduces and builds upon ideas, all while taking the student's progress and aptitude into account. I often try to balance out the harder, sometimes tedious work of technique and theory with songs that the student requests or shows interest in playing. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Drums
I so enjoy when a student is passionate about music and learning their instrument. I try very hard to make learning their instrument fun. Yes I do let them know that Practice Makes Perfect but at the same time I let them know that I do understand that sometimes life gets busy. We will continue to learn, enjoy, and laugh as much as we can during lessons and stress practice but be compassionate to their situations . Read More
Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I like to give the students the tools to become their own teachers. As their private teacher, my goals are threefold: firstly, to help them build an understanding of the fundamentals of their instrument, including relevant techniques, posture, etc. Secondly, to help them build an understanding of musical concepts and of musicianship in general, including melody, harmony, rhythm, basic theory, etc. Thirdly, to help them cultivate a vibrant practice and playing program, including optimizing fun while practicing otherwise dry material, scaffolding their learning to extrapolate on what they already know, and giving them the tools to improve and develop with or without a teacher. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For beginners I like to start with note identification, octaves, and basic open CAGED chords then move to the open minor chords, pentatonic, and major scales next . As students understanding of the fret board develops I try to move these concepts into other position by highlighting relativity and connecting chord shapes as they're highlighted in different scale patterns. In the meanwhile I like to offer students song material relevant to these concepts for practice. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Students need to practice at least four days a week, covering everything we've gone over in the lesson. Don't worry about mistakes - think of them as questions from your fingers that can be answered in the lesson.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If he/she can: sit still and pay attention for half an hour,
recognize colors or
count from 1 - 5
recognize numbers from 1 - 5
When will I start to see results?
Immdeiately. For children the first lesson consists with keyboard games and simple exercises that they can do either on their own or with the help of a parent. From there we move on to simple songs that they can play on their own or with a bit of parental help. For adults, we begin with very basic exercises, and I give very clear instructions that students can follow from the first day we work together.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My second teacher, Mrs. Natalie Cherney, was a tremendous inspiration. She was a great player and a fair, tough teacher. I think of her all the time and am always grateful to her.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
Not sure with piano. I started asking for one when I was three. For guitar, I wanted to play in the folk choir at the Catholic school I went to. I thought acoustic guitars looked extremely cool and sounded incredible. I started teachimg myself when I was nine.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Putting together a tour of New England colleges (using Amtrak and Greyhound) on the strength of a demo cassette. In February, no less.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Speed and volume dynamics for piano - the mechanics of expression. For guitar rhythmic complexity is challenging.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I use John Thompson method books in beginner piano classes with children. The songs are wonderfully tuneful and provide a solid introduction to the musical structures and techniques needed to play classical music. When students are done with the first grade book, I move on to the Guild Repertoire books, for a wonderful cross-section of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern piano literature. For guitar, I use the Mel Bay method books. I love its clarity: the guitar neck diagrams and explanations of note values are very easy to understand. I also like the way they introduce string-to-string playing gradually.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
When I practice piano, I begin with scales, cadences and arpeggios. I move onto 'warm-up' songs, usually something I'm working on with my students. I then get into the more challenging stuff that I'm working on for my own pleasure: usually a Bach piece, a Beethoven and a Chopin.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Teaching elementary school, probably kindergarten, first or second grade.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
On piano, baroque music. On guitar, blues and rock rhythm.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My paternal grandmother was a touring ragtime pianist who led her band. My maternal grandfather played by ear. My mother played a little - taught me the C major scale. All my siblings took lessons (piano, drums, guitar) so there were instruments in the house. I'm the only one to make it my profession.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
The defining moment was when I was a senior in college. I did an open mic in Greenwich Village, and felt like I'd come home.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Guitar lessons in Philadelphia to students of all ages and abilities.
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