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24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in Portland . 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: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For kids I find that having a large quantity of music to learn at each level gives more variety and sense of achievement, so I usually recommend beginning students have multiple books to aid in learning. For example a young piano student will study from lesson, theory, performance, and technique books each week. This yields a well-rounded student who is proud of their achievements and eager to move forward. For adults I recommend a lesson/theory combination book at least to help with reading music. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I firmly believe that every student is different and deserves their own personalized lesson experience. I do my best to get an understanding of what a student's musical interests and goals are tailor their lessons towards those goals. I teach lots of songs, because that's what we want to play! I also do my best to make sure you understand WHAT you are playing so that you can take elements of one song and know how to re-use them later. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele
I teach the CAGED method on guitar, by which all chord forms and most tonal scales are based on 5 easy chord shapes, C,A,G,E, D. I will continue to ask students what their goals are and reach those goals, while learning basic fundementals of reading music. I have several other reccomended texts and resources to help students. I also teach them how to transcribe their favorite songs and some methods for going about that. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
Each student is at a different level, and therefore requires different teaching methods. I like to implement the Hanon exercises for scales and warm-ups, also focusing on things like scales and arpeggios. For the guitar, I like to incorporate these concepts with chordal exercises as well, such as playing progressions to let the student's fingers grow accustomed to their forms. I then let the student tell me what his or her focus is, such as theoretical, classical, or popular. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar
My teaching style is casual and professional, and you can expect low-stress top-notch musical education from me. Though I am lighthearted, I am serious and passionate about the music and inspire students with acknowledgment and praise when goals are reached. Musical accomplishemnts (learning to play real songs/pieces) are the best fuel for fire, and I push students to reach for more challenging and engaging performances. At the same time, music should be fun, and so should music lessons. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
- Patience: It is key to take our time to take in what is presented to us. If there is something that is a new piece of music that presents a rhythmic difficulty. Let's analyze it and figure it out together. - Breaking down: As explained above to play something really well, we need to understand and "master" all parts and the whole. It not only facilitates the performance but also gives a sense of detail and belonging. - Guitar Circle Techniques: I spend 14 years working with guitar circles worldwide. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. This piece of music is one of the most popular programmatic pieces due to it's wild story about the artist. I love how it has been brassy sections in the march and dances as well as singing motives in the ball dances.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have an Music Degree in Music Education. This means I learned how to teach others how to play instruments, even ones that aren't the trombone. I chose this degree because I wanted to share the ability to create music with others rather than expect others to listen to my music. Music expresses emotions that are beyond words and pictures, and no one should be restricted from that expression.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose the trombone in fourth grade because I thought it was a funny looking instrument and was simple because it did't have any valves or keys. I also chose it because I love how beautifully it can be played, almost like it was singing. On the other hand, it is a lot of fun to play it loud and booming, like in Star Wars' Imperial March.
When will I start to see results?
When learning music, set a goal with many steps in between. This way you can track your own progress. You could make this goal a one-year goal or a weekend goal, the important part is staying committed to the steps it takes to get there. Another option would be to record yourself playing your instrument the day you set your goal and to record yourself throughout the time period and once the goal has been achieved. The trick here is to not listen to the recordings until you are all done.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Any student is able to start lessons. If you are concerned that they are unable to start lessons, sit in on the lesson(s) with them. Some students need their parent to be their while they transition to learning something new with a new teacher. Any student of any age can learn anything, so long as they have the tools given to them and someone to guide them.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Make practicing enjoyable. Make a clear schedule or set of goals for your practicing. This could be a two-month goal leading up to a concert or just a 30-minute goal for daily practice. Then write down steps on how to achieve that goal on a sheet of paper. Once you have a good list of steps, try adding in additional steps in between. This way, you take more steps to achieve a goal, but each step is a little easier. If these steps become boring and you feel like practicing is becoming boring or feels like a chore, set your instrument down and take a short five-minute break. It is good to stay positive while practicing. Keeping yourself in check with your list to achieve your goal will help you practice effectively.
24 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 Portland to students of all ages and abilities.
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