Guitar Lessons in Unionville, MD

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

I can't remember a time when I wasn't singing, banging on the family piano, or making joyful noise with whatever could be hit, shaken or kicked. I got a guitar at age ten--blame the Beatles!-- took some lessons, learned some songs by ear, and was giving my first lesson before I was out of high school. I studied music formally at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., graduating Cum Laude. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

I believe in being being honest and encouraging, allowing students the chance to struggle and fail in a safe environment, while stressing and correcting proper techniques. I encourage practicing a little almost every day of the week, and finding what fires you up about the instrument. I also make sure to take an interest in student's lives beyond music- people are busy, and I understand those pressures! Besides that, music can relate to many areas and disciplines in life, and one's own previous experiences offer many methods for greater understanding. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The most important thing for me is that the student is playing in every lesson. I like to know what the student enjoys listening to, and go from there. It is my belief that there is nothing too hard to learn. Whatever the student is interested in, I promise we can get there. Learning songs not only helps build interests, but is one of the best ways to learn. I strongly believe in the importance of improvisation because I believe it helps develop many skills, and I love jamming with students in lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My experience begins immediately out of college. I gave private music lessons for many years. Soon I began concentrating on playing at the professional level in the Pocono Mountains where I lived. I was in several successful bands with Mickey Day, John Murphy, Spencer Reed, and Ed Ludwig along with others. I returned to teaching when I found a studio in Hackettstown, New Jersey to continue giving private lessons. I gave lessons there for approximately 20 years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Firstly, I teach the student the anatomy of the guitar and how to tune it, along with how to hold a pick. After that, I start teaching students how to identify notes on the fretboard. When they have a good grasp on that, I start to teach the basic modes, such as the major, minor, pentatonic, blues, lydian, mixolydian, and dorian modes, and while they are learning these, I give them exercises that use these modes to increase the student's mechanical skill, such as going up and down the scales in patterns of three/four/etc. Read More

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

Children often encounter obstacles with regard to motor-skill development issues (i.e., usually their hands don't work well enough under the age of ten to develop many of the skills required to play the guitar) so a more general musical exploration is often called for. This can involve singing when the child is open to that. With teenagers and adults, I like to discover what their interests and goals are and tailor the lesson in accordance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I find my greatest joy in sharing music! I'm currently working on a Professional Jazz Guitar Certificate from the Berklee Academy of Music Online, but I have been studying as many genres as I am able to over the years. I love performing and having jam sessions with my friends, and I love meeting new musicians! I was performing in Southern Maryland but recently moved around the D.C area to begin my professional teaching career. Read More