Guitar Lessons in Waldorf, MD

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

My formal education in music started in high school ... later ... I won a scholarship to attend Cornell University (1973) where I was admitted to the music department where I studied keyboards, operatic voice, music theory, arranging, orchestral scoring and conducting. While receiving Classical training at the university, I also lead a 12-piece band ... performing jazz and rb around upstate New York and surrounding areas. After college I arrived in the DC metropolitan area where I have performed on many stages ... both with an accompaniment band and solo ... opening up for artists such as Steve Oliver, Nick Colionne, Jeffrey Osborne, Joyce Cooling and others. Read More

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

Everybody learns differently, and everybody has different skill-sets and levels. I also believe most people have different styles. For beginners just picking up a guitar (or bass), I'm more apt to have them refer to some curriculum outside of the lesson session, as opposed to more advanced students, where the discernment on what to use as reference varies with each individual. I'm definitely a fan of hands on learning (obviously with a musical instrument), but with this type of learning the practical application can be harder than a school course for example. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have been playing professionally for the past 33 years in different musical situations from Jazz Festivals, Broadway Musicals, Session Recordings, as a Show band Musician on Ships etc...And have taught numerous students who have gone on to various fields of musical endeavor.I also released my debut cd in 2011 "The Long Road Taken" with my own group the RDP Project which is available in Itunes, CDBaby and 10 other digital distribution sites. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never want to pressure or overwhelm a student with too much information or expectation, because instead of the instruction being seen as a challenge, it is interpreted as an unenjoyable command, and that discourages the student from practicing to meet their goals, instead of motivating and inspiring them. What I find works best is relating lessons to popular current music, further exploring the bridge of dynamics that make up the songs that the student enjoys. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Work on picking and speed and most importantly touch and feel. Learn to play in rhythm, with a metronome. Work on Finger picking as well, learn to use all 5 fingers on your right hand. or use the pick and 3 fingers, with me you WILL use your pinky or little finger, on both hands. Learn to read song charts, and notation and tab. Learn to work on speed, strength, stamina, play songs you like all the way from beginning to end. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar

My teaching style is very flexible. If I see that a particular lesson isn't working, I will change to a lesson covering something the student is more interested in, and possibly not as intimidated. The main thing is for the student to gain confidence in what he/she is trying to learn. I also think that teaching my students to read music in standard notation is a very important aspect of my teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

As far as books go, I prefer the Hal Leonard method, especially for beginner musicians. I combine visual, audio and kinesthetic learning methods to tailor to anyone's needs. After the basics are taught or they're already learned, I assess the student's level and teach the student what they wish to learn to the best of my ability. Read More