|
Rock, Blues and Funk:
You will quickly learn how chords and scales are
developed using a condensed theory set up chart. This quick immersion in
theory helps you to build a strong foundation while at the same time playing
and enjoying the music. I have found in my years of teaching that making
theory and music interactive from the beginning makes it more enjoyable
to learn. You will learn all scales, chords, techniques, rhythms, and ear
training specific to these styles of music. The advantage to this Teaching
Format, especially in terms of solo scale playing, to progress much
further and faster than if you were just learning how to play the songs.
We then go staight to the CD's of your choice and learn from the best,
the artists you've admired. Whether to learn their rhthyms, solo lines, songwriting
formats, melodies and harmonies, and all by ear. As a soloist, you will know enough about scales and chord theory and how to blend the two so you can make the guitar talk yourself.
Still for those who want a quick song approach, we can get into playing
a song and review its theory relevance when desired. (Recommend 1 hour lesson/week
plus practice time)
Free blues jam CD's made in my new digital studio to practice along with!!
|
| Folk, Country and Bluegrass:
As stated above, I begin with the condensed theory
chart to understand chords of all types. Here we study rhythms of the above
music forms including ballad, country blues and country folk. Through use
of songs you enjoy, we study how the music was written and performed. You
will learn in this course how to play music you love as it was done by
the original artist. We begin with listening to the original soundtrack.
Through the use of the ear we dissect the song and learn it in its original
form piece by piece. This will also help set up the study of song writing.
Understanding how artists Choose Chords, develop Melodies and
Harmonies, and use the art of Modulation to bring you to and
from different keys for effect. Transposing songs to fit your vocal
range and Arranging songs to bring out their best. (Recommend 1
hour lesson/week plus practice time)
|
| Finger Style: Great
fun for those who would rather not sing but still want to play full songs
on guitar. This style of guitar will blend the techniques of traditional
finger picking artists along with our own on improvisation over twelve
bar blues progressions and songs. You will learn to play all the parts,
bass, melody, harmony and inside chords with your picking hand. We
work from Travis picking blues styles to country styles and everything
in between. Once you master the technique you will bring in recordings
you enjoy and you will learn to play the music by ear just as they did.
(Recommend 1 hour lesson/week plus practice time)
|
| Classical: Classical
guitar is taught through developing standard reading skills, finger exercises
and scale work. With the practice of right and left hand exercises,
you will develop correct tonal varieties and projection. At the beginning
of your studies we will start with simple pieces. As you advance in ability
with each level you will learn new techniques. (Recommend 1 hour lesson/week
plus practice time)
|
| Song Writing: Song
writing always begins with an introduction to theory. From there you will
study works from other artists to see how they
Choose Chords, develop
Melodies and Harmonies, and how they use the art of Modulation
to bring you to and from different keys for effect. Choose a song
and artist that you enjoy and we will dissect the piece learning the above
techniques.
In composing your own piece
we can work from the chords and groove, developing melodies above it, or
from a melody you hear in your head, and build chords and grooves below
it. After completing a piece of your own, I will teach you how to
Transpose
the song to fit your vocal range and Arrange the song to bring out
it's best. We study different rhythms to help suit the motion and
feel you are trying to achieve. From there we can record a four track version of your
song for study at home. (Recommend 1 hour
lesson/week plus practice time. More time may be needed for recording depending
on length and number of songs)
|
| Children's Studies:
The study of music has proven to enhance a child's
concentration, mathematical and reading skills, self confidence, performance
skills in all walks of life whether its playing the guitar, to public speaking,
to playing sports. It helps with left/right brain development from the
scientific side to the more esoteric side. Most important it helps with
a child's ability to relax, learn to lower stress and anxiety levels through
the playing and the sound they are producing, which helps them to achieve
goals with a more relaxed and healthier state. As they progress to song
writing, music helps boost their creative skills. Whether gearing your
child up for auditions to the school of the arts, or just for your child's
enjoyment, music is a great addition to their development at many levels.
Allowing children to choose music they like captures their interest and gives them the incentive to continue on. Sometimes it is also helpful to have children begin lessons with friends or siblings to make it fun for them and encourage them to continue on. All classes are geared to the individual needs of the students. If they are looking for a more serious approach for auditions, I will get them prepared to fulfill the needs of any schools entrance requirements, whether it be middle school of the arts, high school of the arts, or even at the college level.
|
| Other Instruments: I also play and teach Bass and Drums doing simple excercises
and progressing into the songs you choose. We play it as we hear it. Great for training the ears.
|
| Home Digital Recording Studio: If in the Monmouth New Jersey area, I just completed a small home digital recording studio. Great for singer songwriters to get a nice version of their song down. I can complete overdubs to your likings. Also help teach those who want to head down this road in their own home but are intimidated by the complexity of it all.
|
