TJ D
Instruments: Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Electronic, Salsa, Spirituals, Swing, New Age, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
TJ D
Instruments: Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Electronic, Salsa, Spirituals, Swing, New Age, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
B.S. Clemson University, Physics M.S. University of California Riverside, Physics
Paul Gilbert has actually complimented my playing!
I'm a highly skilled and versatile player with decades of playing experience. I enjoy teaching students of all ability levels, particularly because some of my musical philosophy will live on in their playing and hopefully make the musical world a better place. I've taught physics at the college level, so I'm very familiar with how to approach difficult subjects and simplify them for students, which is especially useful when teaching challenging guitar techniques to beginners. I also enjoy exposing students to material they may not have encountered or considered otherwise (students willing), because it often enriches their musical ability and playing horizons.
I've been teaching guitar on and off for about 10 years, with my studies in physics interrupting my musical career. I've taught various levels of students, but primarily beginners/novices, and it thrills me to watch those students progress into the later stages of their guitar proficiency. As I mentioned before, I've also taught college physics for years to hundreds of students, and am very familiar with what approaches engage students, and can recognize the best plan of attack for bolstering a their knowledge. This experience translates fairly well to musical teaching as well, and if anything is quite a bit more fun.
My teaching method varies somewhat with a student's ability. For novice players, I place a strong emphasis on fundamentals: technique, timing, dynamics, and vibrato! There is nothing worse than bad vibrato. Don't be that guy! I also strive to incorporate music the student enjoys into their practice routines, and the key emphasis will be on the performance aspect of the instrument. For intermediate and advanced players, the emphasis shifts to a variety of specific practice exercises to really hone their skills in the particular style their aiming for. Also, there will be quite a bit of jamming, which never hurts.
I've had the privilege of taking lessons from one of the greatest shred guitar players (and teachers) on the planet, Paul Gilbert, who has strongly influenced my own teaching philosophy. I want to induce an intimate connection between the student and their music, so that musicality and expressiveness are the primary goals. I generally don't stress theory, because it can encumber a students intuitive understanding, which I believe generates the best music. That's not to say music theory is neglected, but it certainly takes a backseat with respect to actually playing and enjoying guitar.
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