Guitar Lessons in Rockvale, TN

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar

I began teaching private lessons five years ago during my first year in college. I consistently taught privately, as well as in classroom settings in youth music programs in Boston. I also developed and taught courses in songwriting and music theory for teenagers. I encourage students to develop their age-appropriate practice routines, and support them in sticking with them. Sticking to a schedule helps the young musician build a relationship to their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My philosophy is that everyone is musical to some degree and that anyone can be taught to play music. Not everyone can be taught the same way, however, and it takes a highly skilled, creative, intuitive and patient teacher to do that. I customize my teaching to the student.  I use several different method books depending on the age, ability and learning style of the student. For guitar, I teach note-reading in standard notation so that the student can take what he learns to any other instrument later. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For students who already have a few lessons under their belt or have some self taught experience, usually my first step is to identify what conceptual gaps in their fundamental knowledge they might have so that they can very quickly explore the guitar more intentionally on their own in-between lessons. We often start with a song they've been listening to, and begin to break down what make chords and chord progressions sound the way that they do, so it's very easy to apply them in other situations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Piccolo Oboe Music Acoustic Guitar

For beginners, I start off with the basics. For example, naming each string on the guitar, curvature of the fingers, embouchure on the headjoint of a flute, and achieving a crow on an oboe reed. For school age children, I use books or sheet music used in their own practice at school or Youth Orchestras during lessons. For any ability level, I use any materials during lessons that my students want to work on that achieves their goals but also keeps them motivated. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Mandolin Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I start with students by asking them what they want to accomplish on whatever instrument we're working on, and that will change the way the lessons progress. After the basics, if they want to study classical music, contemporary, or just strengthen the basic skills they have, then we progress from there. This could mean sticking to Hal Leonard books, learning songs, diving deeply into theory, or understanding the world of improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Drums

I emphasize the benefits music gifts us in regards to developing the brain as much as possible, while making music fun. No matter the style, the psychological benefits music offers are limitless. Giving the whole musical experience keeps people wanting to play and wanting to better themselves as individuals.Whether you want to learn your favorite pop song or a full Beethoven concerto, to anything inbetween, I will personally write a lesson plan for each individual student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For elementary school-aged students and younger who are just starting out, I will typically see if the student is familiar with, and a fan of, any classic or contemporary pop or rock music. If so, then basic chords and rudimentary music theory is where I like to start. If not, then teaching the student familiar, single-line melodies, using them to build up to basic scalar concepts and toward a more classical-oriented education is appropriate. Read More