Music Lessons in Wellesley, MA

Instruments: Voice Drums

My lessons for vocalists are divided into two sections: technique and repertoire. For singers, breath management skills are of primary importance as this directly affects intonation. I like to begin with Anne Peckham's The Contemporary Singer. My students can choose any songs they would like to sing while we work on musicianship skills including expression and lyrical phrasing. Singers who want to study jazz and improvisation use one or more of my pedagogical texts on scat singing. 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: Bass Guitar Double Bass Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I begin with a thorough assessment to determine a path from the student's current goals to their abilities. If for instance, a beginner wanted to be an RB guitarist, we'd select some of his or her favorite players and recordings, identify elements of interest and, in conjunction with his or her current abilities and use that to formulate practice material. I like to tie the fundamentals of technique, expression and theory to learning songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

I create my own lesson plans specific to the students need and goals. There are core elements to my teaching that are constantly enforced, including my level of importance placed on rhythm and the aural tradition of music. Singing melodies, clapping rhythms and drum parts. Listening to music and talking and a gentle musical analysis of what we are hearing. I believe that everyone is first a person then a musician and then an instrumentalist. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass

I have been teaching for over ten years to students of all ages. I first started at a local music store in Weymouth, MA when I was going to college. Since then I have taught at schools, other music stores, and privately. I love seeing my students develop and discover the same joy and excitement that music brings to me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

In the earliest stages of learning, such considerations as posture and proper technique are crucial if a student is to be comfortable with playing, achieve early success, and lay the foundation for further progress. The way I have tried to sell this to students is: the accepted technique became so because it is the easiest and most comfortable way to play. In terms of early success, at the earliest point possible I teach/encourage a student to play a song however simple in its entirety, slowly but steadily and clearly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

I love music so much, that teaching it too is rewarding. I have the ability to customize my lessons for each student, as they sometimes process musical information differently. To see a students musical goals evolve is the aim of my lessons. It is important to understand the interests of the student, and the ability to teach the right information based on those interests. Read More