Guitar Lessons in Strafford, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I have recently learned bass guitar as well. I encourage students to practice at least 20-30 minutes a day because even that little amount of time makes all the difference. I also love to incorporate creativity in my lessons with songwriting and improvisation. I also encourage students to participate in recitals as well. I am also the Director of the Early Childhood Program at the local music school so I have a lot of experience with ages 0-4 too. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching music since graduating with a Bachelor's degree in music education in 1991. While I have had an active performing career, I have always had more of an interest in teaching. I have taught privately in my own music studio, taught elementary music and choir, high school music theory and guitar, published my own series of method books and given seminars to teachers on developing their own guitar programs as well as infusing technology into their lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When teaching classical piano, I use technique books like Hanon, Pischna for advanced beginners and intermediate. Material can range from Bach, Beethoven, Schumann etc. Contemporary methods usually from an approved song book or possibly a show tune. All students will learn from the previously method technique books. Beginners we will use some method book like Alfred or something similar. Guitar: Mel bay or something for sight reading. Wolfhardt for intermediate students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use a variety of methods for my teaching style. I usually have a few method books that I bring to a first lesson, and after meeting the student I will decide on the best one. Once the student has progressed and shows some motivation to be slightly challenged, I'll introduce "popular" music so that the student feels a sense of accomplishment! Music is associated with movies, radio, etc., so to be able to play something recognizable is exciting for the student and the teacher. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Lute Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My Teaching Methods (or those which I employ) are based on the needs of the particular student. Each student is different, and hence, my method is essentially pick and choose depending on the talents, needs, and advancement of the student. For complete beginners, I use a selection of publications from Gendai Guitar (Japanese method book), Frederick Noad (Classical Guitar Playing Volumes 1 2; his three volumes based of historical periods: Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical respectively); tried-and-true Historical Methods (Carcassi, Aguado, Padovec, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone

My teaching experience began in my post undergraduate college days. After graduation, I began studying at a studio called Jazz Improv with a Master's level instructor. One of his students asked for a saxophone teacher and the party was referred to me. I was then able to obtain a second saxophone student; I have also had two piano students when teaching. I enjoyed teaching music and it is something I look forward to getting back to as I attempted to acquire students on my own with minimal success. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Lute Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What I have found works best with semi-slow but significant results is the idea of 'planting seeds'. I describe this concept quite regularly with my students, and what I mean by it is that we will often talk about important musical ideas and simply make the student aware of what's happening. They may not totally understand it right away, but the seed is planted. We start off planting many seeds and sometimes the same seed multiple times. Read More