Guitar Lessons in Savannah, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola

My method is very flexible and student specific. Everyone learns slightly differently and has their own unique strengths. In general, I have a "sound before sight" method. Students learn music thoroughly, aurally and theoretically before trying to read it off the page. Imagine trying to learn a language by being handed a book. We then use your innate understanding of the music to inform your technique and the way you approach the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

When you were growing up and were learning to speak, no one told you to go practice speaking alone in your room until you were good enough to talk (or jam) with the masters. As a child you were already "jamming" with the masters, no adult decided not to speak with you because you weren't at their speaking level. I will do my best to make learning music as natural a process as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Tuba Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have taught nearly every instrument in a standard orchestra. I have taught singing, guitars and such, music theory composing and sight singing as well as sight reading and music history. It is always essential that the student is excited about the genre(s) we use in learning music. Yes if music is not fun then it is worthless. That being said fun is a many splendor thing. I started teaching guitar in my teens. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music

While teaching, I create a very friendly and welcome environment. Comfort between the student and teacher is critical in order to progress with technique and repertoire. I open the floor to questions, concerns and truly want to hear what the students perspectives are. With beginner students, the primary focus is on breath management, developing flexibility between ranges, and applying technique to repertoire. For more advanced singers, I am able to help prepare for auditions or performances and focus more on the quality and control of the voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Mandolin Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Conga Latin Percussion

It is not necessary, however, to learn chords or grooves specifically from a book for these instruments. Depending on the desired style, there may not be much use of notated music, guitar tabliture, etc. But as already stated, this does not excuse a good foundation in reading music and understanding music theory. For more advanced players (who would most likely be percussionists if working with me, though I am willing to work with any instrument at a more advanced level), we would work out of books I and the student(s) find fitting for their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Playing with one hand first, then the other, then using both hands. Working on rhythm and coordination follows that. For students that are in the intermediate-advanced stage, how the lessons go really depends on what the student's goals are and what they want to focus on. I have a lot of music theory knowledge and compositional skills, I can teach active listening, playing by ear, composition itself, improvising, arpeggios with fingerings, altered scales, hybrid structures of chords, tritone substitutions, voice leading, inner harmony, soloing, phrasing, and comping. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I love teaching the individual.  My first instructor wanted to know about me, my likes and my goals, and that is the approach I like to take for each student, whether they want to perform live, or need to prepare for a college audition, or anything in between.  I taught a class of children around the age of 6, and an older class as well for a while at a private school in Arkansas.  It was a joy teaching both age groups.  I was able to infuse theory and appreciation into learning songs that they loved.  Read More