Chris M
Instruments: Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Pop, Rock, Blues, Country
Chris M
Instruments: Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Pop, Rock, Blues, Country
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
My Studio
Online
Ages Taught: 10-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
Associate Degree: Schenectady County Community College, Bachelor Degree: SUNY College at Oneonta
Overview:
I'm a guitar player of 14 years and a guitar instructor for 3. My first instrument was the piano, then alto saxophone in middle & high school, and finally when I was 14 I fell in love with the guitar. I took private lessons throughout high school, and studied guitar as my primary instrument in college. Besides teaching, I also play and write original music in my own band, and perform weekly in a worship band. As a player, one of my favorite aspects of teaching is learning a variety of songs I may not have sought out on my own; I've been introduced to a variety of different things from students who wanted to learn them, and I think that's a really unique and cool thing.
EXPERIENCE
Though I've been professionally teaching for a little over three years, I had my first teaching experiences informally. In bands I'd often help out another guitar player with a certain part or with the songwriting process in general. Even when I worked in a music retail store, I gave a customer an impromptu lesson on how to play the intro to "Blackbird" by Alter Bridge. My number one goal with students is to find out what they like playing and what they want to get out of playing. Every piece of music has something worth exploring and learning; it's my job as a teacher to find that and communicate that to the student.
METHODS USED
For the complete beginner, I like to start them off with a simple riff in order to give them something musical to latch onto. From there I introduce the basic fundamentals of the guitar and how to play the instrument, and gradually incorporate other exercises and pieces. If a student has been playing for a while, I like to see if there are any "holes" or gaps in their playing/knowledge, and try to fill those in. From there we figure out what goals the student has, and I tailor the lessons to suit that goal. I think one of the biggest benefits of having a personal instructor is that the student gets instant feedback and guidance, and I make sure to emphasize that in lessons.
LESSON STYLE
My favorite overall method of teaching is to use material the student enjoys and pulling learning concepts out of it. While there is a place for isolated exercises and theory, I find that it's very important to relate these things back to what made the student want to learn in the first place. I think that it's the most exciting for a student when they learn the "tricks" or secrets behind what makes their favorite songs work, and fuels a passion for learning more than simply teaching rote scales, etc.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Leave a Review
Leave a Review
RATING & REVIEW
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.