Guitar Lessons in Sutton, MA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I cater my teaching style to each student's age, skill level and personality. I have a patient, relaxed teaching style but I'm always ready and willing to push the student as far as they want to go, encouraging them to try their best. Lessons are usually organized into a section focused on technique and music theory followed by a period dedicated to playing songs together, polishing up repertoire and focusing on playing music in real time, together as an ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

My methods for teaching are directly linked to the desires of the student and what they hope to achieve by learning how to play an instrument. If a student is particularly interested in songwriting and composition, I'd be more inclined to emphasize the principles or harmony, counterpoint, structure and written music, whereas if a student is more interested in becoming an instrumentalist for a band etc., I'd be more inclined to emphasize rudiments, scale exercises and a jamming mentality. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo Keyboard

I am a life-long musician [age 5 - present] from a family of musicians who have played with everyone from Fanny Brice (my grandfather) to Benny Goodman (my mother) to Steve Miller (myself). I attended Berklee College of Music in Boston , MA from 1975-1979 and left (5 weeks short of my degree) to perform in a rock band who toured for 5 years in the US and Canada. Having played everywhere from Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado to Elkhorn Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho to Valdez, Alaska to Cobo Hall in Detroit,Michigan, I have lengthy performance credentials and even more varied experience in the styles and situations that I have performed in that include: rock band, orchestra, concert band, jazz combo, folk duo, Big Band, marching band, drum corps, celtic rock band, traditonal gaelic ceili, flute choir, pit band, church choir, chorus, show choir, vocal solo, commercial voice-overs, vocal duet, musical theatre, etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With students of any age, I consider it my number one priority to create a learning environment that is both encouraging of their growth and passion for music, and supportive/safe for them to take the risks and meet the challenges necessary for that growth. I always work to maintain a dialogue with students about their interests and ensuring that our work includes and stimulates those interests, while also finding ways to make our work on fundamental techniques and building blocks as engaging and fun as possible. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Though each student gets a lesson plan that is catered to their individual needs, I start everyone off with these three questions: Which musical artists do you listen do? What do you like about their music? What are your goals with taking lessons? I use this information to teach the student how to play some of their favorite songs, how to write similar music, and how to use my lessons as a means of achieving their musical goals I have found that doing so results in faster results, and increased motivation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The most rewarding aspect of being a teacher is helping a student truly develop their love for music. It is fundamental that students ask questions, and take their time to learn the material. Music is not a race, its a lifestyle. The goals set for my students are realistic and fair, but I do expect my students to challenge themselves and practice outside of class. I find practice outside of class is where the majority of growth is found. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

As I picked up students through word-of-mouth referrals, friends, and fellow church members, I was able to take students through the rudiments of guitar, and in some cases produced some very advanced players. My teaching experience in Chelsea High School enabled me to take roughly 1800 students through basic guitar; again, some of these really caught fire and are pursuing guitar passionately through their bands. I do encourage regular practice for my students, as this is really where learning takes place, especially on a physical level. Read More