Guitar Lessons in Sandy Spring, MD

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have about two years of teaching experience, all of which has been done out of the recording studio I worked out of. I've taught students of all ages, ranging from seven to seventy-two! My teaching is less about learning to mimic songs and it's more about learning how the guitar/bass work from a music theory perspective. I like to call my take on theory "practical theory," meaning that I really focus on teaching all of the basic modes and how they work together so that my students can start improvising and writing - the two musical activities that I find to be the most mentally stimulating and rewarding. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In private lessons, I've helped budding guitarists learn how to shred like their personal rock heroes; taught the nuances of fingerpicking to folk and Americana players; guided growing musicians to develop a deeper understanding of chord theory and intervals; and worked with already-established career songwriters on phrasing, melody, chord changes, and that hard-to-pin-down je-ne-sais-quois that is simply how to make a song feel the way one hears in one's head. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As a teacher, I am all about developing a passion for music and setting realistic musical goals for each lesson. I try to gently push my students in the right direction by finding out what kind of music really inspires them so I can tailor my instruction to their desires. However, if you're my student, I have high hopes and expectations for you! I know that with consistent practice, patience, and a gentle push in the right direction, we work together to learn any piece of music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I cater to the needs of every student. My enjoyment from music lessons is sparked by the enjoyment of my students. I find the appropriate level of engagement and challenge for every student, and apply strategies and assignments accordingly. I've worked with so many students over the years, that my style is that which is flexible based upon student interest. I am able to teach Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk, Pop, and every style in between because I find a way to teach songs that my students like. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The main thing my years of lesson-giving has taught me is that everyone takes it in a little differently, but everyone needs to practice each and every day! Some work well with tabs, others learn by watching, still others are most comfortable with the formality of traditional notation. All these roads can lead to the goal of making music provided the student is motivated to pick up the instrument regularily. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

My approach varies depending on the student's skill level and chosen instrument, but for beginners I always try to get them familiarized with their instrument: teaching them the basics of reading music and how to navigate the different keys (or strings, etc.). From there I start teaching various musical concepts, the rudiments of music theory, and begin introducing them to different styles of music. When the student is advanced enough, I start having them run through my own custom designed technique and skill drills, and have them start selecting music that they would like to perform on their own. 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