Piano Lessons in Roanoke, VA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
Guitar has always been my first love. I love to sing and so it became a natural progression for me. In the 80’s however, an accident took my left ring finger out of the equation. I worked very hard to work around this handicap and now I play guitar better than ever today. My mentor for years kept trying to convince me to switch to bass guitar because of this handicap. He turned me on to a book called the Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid and quoted a passage that essentially said Bass players only need three fingers. I gave in and never looked back. I still play guitar often but have found a new voice in the bottom end. I no longer have to compete with much better four fingered guitar players and have become a much better lead player in the process.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
After losing a finger on my string hand in a machining accident, I spent years trying to make a comeback. I am proud of myself for having the fortitude to retrain my hand to do with three fingers what it knew with four. With hard work I have become much better than I ever thought of being before the accident. I believe as far as personal accomplishment, I think there has been no greater joy than to be able to bring others into a place of joy and happiness and worship. Music has a way of getting inside you and for me, playing, teaching, and performing create in me a feeling that I am doing what I was born to do. Not all of us reach the pinnacle of success in music but that is not what it is about for me. We are on a great mountain here. Some reach the summit, others continue the climb. My hope is to help my students get a leg up on that climb by helping arming them with the tools to reach their personal and professional goals. Being able to effectively give this to others I think is my greatest musical achievement.

Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Over the years I cannot recall if any of my students have received special honors or rewards but I do know many of them have gone on to be fine musicians, instructors, and worship pastors. As I have gotten older it has been quite enjoyable to watch as the "changing of the guard" has occurred. They are not kids anymore and they have taken the mantle of leadership well. I am proud to be a part of the foundation has led to successful application of their talents. It is a silent, unseen reward for me, but it is one of the most fulfilling award I have ever received.

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