Guitar Lessons in West Orange, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have a variety of books I use for beginning students, depending on age and level, including the Alfred guitar book for kids. Regardless of level, I always help students learn some music they are already interested in, as that is a key path to enjoying both the pure joy of music itself and the delight of learning something you didn't know you could do. Another important pathway that I explore with students, earlier or later depending on the student, is to begin to learn to improvise and compose their own music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My approach to teaching really varies depending on the students specific needs. For absolute beginners, I can tend to follow a more concrete progression, but depending on who the student is, and what they're level of passion may be for learning something specific, the lesson may be highly specific. If the student is interested, I personally like to give them an understanding of some of the theory as they go along, even if they are a beginner because I believe it helps them to see the bigger picture. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My goal as a teacher is to avoid any type of dogmatic "one size fits all" curriculum.  I always want to know what music the student enjoys and build my lesson plans based on their tastes.  Chords can be physically challenging for beginners so I like to work with single-note melodies early on so that the student isn't quickly discouraged.  Learning chords becomes the medium-term goal.  As for the long-term, I will then use specific songs as examples for how music theory works in the context of their favorite bands. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Synthesizer Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

The first teaching concept I focus on is the capacity to produce great sounds with the least amount of effort. Therefore I spend some time in getting the student to play very relaxed to create a relationship with body and mind, I believe music is an extension of the body and so if the mind and body are relaxed then music will come out flawless. We will use students ideas of songs they are interested in learning as well as some of my own suggestions for repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I begin my Classical students with the Julian Sagreras guitar method book, then move into the Aaron Shearer Learning the Classic Guitar series. Once students have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, we begin on solo repertoire. For contemporary styles, I prefer to start complete beginners on the Hal Leonard guitar method books, and then I encourage them to seek out artists that they enjoy. In all of my lessons, students will analyze chord structures, sing and dictate melodies, and learn history about the guitar and general music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching music since 2010. I used to have students back in my hometown up until 2012 when I moved to Boston for my Bachelors. I kept having students during that time during which I also worked as a Core Music Tutor in Berklee College of Music. There, I helped students having difficulties with their basic Music subjects such as Modern Harmony, Ear Training, Tonal Harmony (Classical Harmony), Conducting and Arranging. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Keyboard

I do, however, allow diversion and conversation in lessons. If there is a song that may explain the musical idea, we will stop and listen. If a young child wants to relay a story from school they thought of because of our practice, I will stop and listen. I may also speak in depth about musical history, style, or even the psychology of music. I think this combination draws students into the mind of a musician, and gets them to start thinking like one. Read More