Piano Lessons in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Leonard W

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I played at a religious gathering several times called Bethel Family Night, at Wallkill NY. I played, along with a small group, such tunes as Walk Don't Run, Perfidia, and Classical Gas. On another occasion i played solo fingerstyle guitar, Windy and Warm, Both Sides Now and a couple of other songs. There was over 1000 people present. One one occasion I received applause just walking on stage. My brother Joe and I played in a small combo a few times doing Allman Brothers material, Billy Joel songs and Hollies "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" among other songs

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My older brother Terry played guitar such as Ventures and other kinds of Surf, country and pop music. I just love the sound of the guitar, in all forms of music.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
For guitar, a child's hand size is important in order to purchase the right size instrument. For example, I had an 8-year-old student who plays a 3/4 size guitar. A young student needs an appropriate attention span as well. I adjust according to their attention span.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I did not have any teachers, our family could not afford music lessons. I learned from books and occasional visits with other players. No regular, structured lessons.

When will I start to see results?
Probably right away, but the word "results" is open to interpretation. Will you be able to slowly play a very simple song or part of a song after the first lesson? That is always my goal.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Regularity is key, even a few minutes a day is helpful. I find for myself that 3 times a week and a minimum of 2 hour is best. Playing very slowly, along with a metronome, has been very beneficial for me. As a student progress, he can increase his metronome speed to an acceptable BPM for the song.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The left hand is the hardest for me to master. My hands are smaller so I only have a 4 fret stretch. As I play more I am noticing a small increase in my left hand stretch though.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I ask the students what they want to learn, then try to teach them something that they can learn quickly. Then they feel a sense of accomplishment early. I progress thru an explanation of notes, intervals and chords, strumming patterns etc.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
15-minute review of songs I know well, 30 minutes learning new chords, scales and songs, then 15 minutes writing and recording something new. I also review music theory after actual playing time.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
There is no one particular piece but Chet Atkins songs such as Black Mountain Rag, Blue Angel, Hellacious, as well as Jerry Reed songs such as Jerry's Breakdown. Also some Tommy Emmanuel songs

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Electronics technician or other technical work such as computer work. Technical work and music seem to go hand in hand since music has a definite foundation in physics and guitars often incorporate electronics

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Fingerstyle songs that use the right hand thumb playing a bass string accompaniment while the right hand fingers play the main melody. Classic fingerstyle guitar is very entertaining to an audience

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I do not play a second instrument but I dabble in keyboards and would like to learn violin. I dabble in keyboards mainly because it helps me to grasp music theory a little better.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Grandparents, uncles, cousins and brothers all play. Some were touring musicians; some were recording engineers but most of us were just ones who played for ourselves or family and friends. I am presently trying to teach my 5 year old great grandson very basic music theory and simple songs on piano [3 Blind Mice]

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
After retirement, I had more time to devote to guitar. I do not gig much anymore but I hope to make a little extra money by teaching because it will keep me in the music world at some level.

Read More