Guitar Lessons in Silver Spring, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My background in piano playing and composition development is synopsized on my website www.ivorytunes.com as follows: "Enlighten yourself to contemporary new piano music with a jazzy, movie theme flair that emboldens variety, flair and a fresh change to the choices in the current market. The Ivory Tunes website of Vint Hill, VA showcases original piano songs composed by Mike Ryon. His ambition is to add variety and pizzas to your current listening and playing repertoire as well as inspire developing performance musicians to venture down the path of original song composition through inward inspiration and creative enjoyment. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar

I received a Bachelor degree in Guitar Performance from Catholic University in Washington DC back in 1980. However, my career was in computer programming for the next 30 years. During this time, I continued to improve my Guitar skills and performed at many venues, including weddings, parties, formal events, and concerts, such as those at Brook Side gardens in Wheaton, the Olney Theater, and Afternoon Teas at Strathmore Hall at the Mansion in Bethesda Md. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I always encourage students to study and practice on a regular basis. This greatly helps them make progress and like the instrument over time. Nonetheless, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. My homework sheets are designed to address both of those points. I always encourage them to practice well; when they practice well, they improved and once they improve they start to like the instrument more. Read More

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

I sincerely believe that even the most basic material can be made to "sound good", and I stress this from the beginning. I'm big on playing duets. I'll tend to toss in tidbits about the physics of sound, or how muscle memory works. I like to engage the curiousity of the student in this way. I like to ask students about what music they like, and what they would like to do--play in a school talent show? Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music Keyboard

During my internship with Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center  and volunteer work with The Cavalier Music Enrichment Program (both based in Baltimore, Maryland), I have taught music to over 250 students. From general music theory to specific instruction in brass, woodwind, and percussion techniques; I have had the privilege to work with students of various ages, spanning from sixth graders to college students. While interning and volunteering I developed a great appreciation for teaching and a strong dedication to student progression. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

I truly believe music should be a fun and rewarding experience. It brings me great joy seeing my students progress in their musical abilities. I encourage students to explore their talents and discover what it is they love about their instrument. If students wants to compose and write music I encourage and help them. If students have a recital or a performance coming up, we will take time to fully prepare for the gig, wether it is a talent show or competition. 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