Guitar Lessons in West Boylston, MA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My approach to teaching emphasizes creative expression, technical proficiency and musical exploration. I pay close attention to the goals of a given student and shape my curriculum based around their needs. If a student aspires to become a professional jazz guitarist, I teach them jazz chords, improvisational techniques and necessary reading skills. If a student aspires to write and perform their own songs, I teach them about writing guitar accompaniments, writing lyrics and crafting melodies. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My lessons are organized around a few core elements: fundamentals, technique, note-reading, and repertoire. For all students, grasping the fundamentals of pitch and rhythm is essential, so exercises that continually reinforce these fundamental skills are a typical first order of business for each weekly lesson. Simultaneously, I guide the student through proper posture, form, breathing, and mental preparation. For children, and any adolescents or adults who are truly serious about music, I encourage the development of sight-reading skills for musical literacy. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I follow the classic Hal Leonard method books to begin and then, depending on the students goals and musical tastes move on to other books and works. For Jazz students I use The Real Book Vol. 1 For most students a fundamental part of understanding music and the instrument itself is music theory. Students will be given some basic music theory and reading skills to reinforce their guitar training. The most important thing to me is that the students learn and play music that they want to study. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I'm a rather relaxed individual, and I don't like making my students feel pressured into achieving a specific goal in a strict manner. My attitude allows students to accept mistakes as part of the journey of guitar playing, while at the same time understanding that it is the correction of mistakes and discipline to play correctly that segways into higher level playing, and that the ultimate drive behind guitar playing is the passion to learn and expand their horizons either by attempting new techniques or ideas, or simply being exposed to new types of music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Conga Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Individual classes are always going to become personalized since thats the time when you can really focus on your own goals which pretty much vary as much as people do so i would have to say that my approach would depend on what the student wants to get out of the instrument and what he/she wants to learn. An understanding of the fundamentals is usually wise so i always encourage the students to take a more dogmatic approach to the instrument since thats what has worked for me, now being that said it would't be the first or last time that we see a guitar player master his instrument by ear like we've seen with greats like Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson and B.B King so to restrain a student from a more popular approach would be naive and time has taught me to mingle in both styles of learning since either way it is required a lot of discipline and practice. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Double Bass

I'm an active experimental musician, with lots of jazz and classical training. I like making new sounds and having fun playing with others, and I want to encourage my students to explore and enjoy music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Mandolin Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Its amazing to watch my students fall in love with their instrument and gain confidence and joy from learning to play. Everyone is different and will need to go at their own pace. My job is more of a "coach" - setting up structures and practices to help you succeed but not doing the work for you! I will help fuel your desire to grow as a musician and encourage you to progress at your own pace while celebrating each and every success along the way while tailoring my instruction based on my students needs and goals. Read More