Guitar Lessons in Stratford, CT

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

My instruction method is to assess each student's experience, ability, and goals on guitar, bass, or songwriting/composition, and tailor my instruction to the individual skill level and needs. I take a song-centric approach, and introduce or reinforce techniques using songs that feature that technique or musical concept as a way to keep students engaged beyond rote memorization of scales, patterns, techniques, etc. I also use a song-based approach as a way to bring in theory and a deeper understanding of the whats and whys of music, while still focusing on the fun of playing using songs that the student wants to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin

Depending on a student's level of experience I use either the Mel Bay Modern Method or the Berklee Modern Method for the development of reading skills. More importantly, I can draw upon a large library of transcriptions and instructional materials that I, myself, have developed over the last three decades, supplemented by recordings and videos. I make sure that a lot of the lesson is spent actually playing, and like to give the student many opportunities to play along with someone else-namely, me. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I use a variety of different pedagogical approaches from Music for the Classroom - Kodaly and Orff methodology, to series like Hal Leonard, the Music Tree (Frances Clark), Piano Adventures (Randall and Nancy Faber), John Thompson and Alfred's Piano Basics. In Voice, my approach is ecclectic but effective, drawing from traditional Classical approaches & vocal building techniques to some of the latest ideas and discoveries on developing a beauty of sound and a solid foundation in the control of the breath. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

All students come with different strengths and weaknesses so I decided what needs to be done after hearing them. Basic technique is very important to consistently sing in any style. A singer must have stable, and consistent breathing as well as proper vocal balance. I have a substantial number of excursuses to begin training these aspects with a singer at any level. I structure the first part of a lesson as technical work and the second half as repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Often I do use Mel Bay or Hal Leonard books to get a student started reading, but try to shift to popular music as soon as possible to keep the repertoire interesting and relevant for the student, as well has their families and peers. As the student develops, students will learn to expand on these ideas with theory based improvisation to "make the song their own." For More Advanced students, we can work from the Real or Fake Books, or the Ireel App to increase improvisational experience and confidence. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My teaching style varies from student to student. Playing the guitar is the most fun I have at any point during the day and thats what I want to impart to the student. Fun! I also belove in repetition. Playing scales over and over by yourself, sometimes, isnt so much fun so while i will have a strict regimen of practice it will be structured in an interesting and enjoyable format for both the student and whomever happens to be around, listening! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Ukulele

I grew up in the town Poughquag which is located in the Hudson Valley Region of Eastern New York. I am twenty-two and was raised in a musical household as the second youngest of six sisters and one brother. I recently attained my bachelor degree from SUNY Fredonia in violin performance with a minor in psychology, and will also be receiving my bachelor degree in music therapy from SUNY Fredonia after I've completed my internship at Monroe One Boces which goes from September, 2018 to June, 2019. Read More