Beyond Basics Guitar With Paul Shumsky
1 employee
42 years in business
About this pro
My teaching approach:
Performed and booked over 700 performances with Boston-based worldbeat group Wildest Dreams. B.M. in Jazz Guitar, New Eng. Conservatory of Music. Add'l studies: Berklee College, Eastman School of Music. Many of my students have gone on to music schools and successful careers in music. I enjoy working with each student, discovering their strengths and finding the best way to teach each individual.My guitar lessons take place in:
In the teacher's studioGuitar Techniques:
Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Fingerpicking, Vocal Accompaniment, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing
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Credentials
East Hartford, CT 06118
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FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
At the first lesson, I ask a few questions to get a clearer idea of what the student has done with guitar up to this date and where they'd like to go, what skills they would like to improve or add. We take a couple minutes to play a simple blues together or standard tune if they know one so I can observe their current technique and musical choices they make as they play. Since I've been teaching for decades, it doesn't take me a long time to determine the areas in which the student could use some help and where it would be best for us to start out.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. I also spent 4 semesters at Berklee College and a few summers at the Eastman School of music. I have studied with a handful of great masters of jazz and the guitar. I have played thousands of gigs of all types, from small coffeehouses and bars to Boston Symphony Hall. I have deep teaching experience having taught thousands of students over three decades. I love teaching and mentoring my students and so enjoy seeing them develop.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons are $50 per hour. I don't offer 1/2 hour lessons because I don't think that's enough time for the student to have a good learning experience. I keep my rate reasonable so most can afford it. Some of my students take biweekly lessons to help make it more affordable.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching as a teenager after I noticed I had something to offer others.
What types of students have you worked with?
Beginners to pros. Students looking to get ready for music school. All ages, although at this point in my teaching career, I mostly just teach adults.