Fogts Music
About
Fogts music store caters to local Sarasota musicians along with the general public.They have been in business I believe around 1960.They sell and rent band instruments..etc.All the employees are working musicians,they relate to any questions asked.They have a wide variety of Guitar’s new and used at competitive prices.I have been teaching there since 1999.Prior to that I was a teacher at Accent Music.The owners have since passed. I started teaching there in the early 80s.I took lessons there from Maurice Friend who played in big bands.He played shows with Judy Garland, Jackie Gleason, Peggy? Lee, Eartha Kitt etc. He was from London and played the Queen Mary Cruise ship from London to New York quite often.I eventually started doing gigs with him and playing local Society gigs around Sarasota. Mostly reading the melody lines off of the jazz fake books. I continue to have a passion for teaching and have been teaching 38 years.I am very laid-back and patient. I also set up guitars to make them easy to play. I try to inspire all my students and have had good results with most all of them.One of which is Sam Woolf who was on American Idol in 2014. I play local gigs with him when he is in town from Boston.I play in a local Sarasota band called Bignightout. We play New Year’s every year downtown The past four years ast the pineapple drop.And have been called back to do 2020.bignightout.org is the website. We have videos etc. on the website.
Highlights
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Making sure the guitar is playable. Suggest getting a music stand and create a workstation at home. Teach them how to relax.Stretching exercises to speed up the process.Learning how to play slow in time first.I start them in the Hal Leonard beginning guitar method book and encourage them to bring in songs they like.Mainly making it fun.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I grew up in the trades doing heavy construction prior to teaching. Extensive experience with home remodeling.Which helps me the mechanics of the guitar.I have been building guitars and setting them up since I was about 15 years old.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have kept my prices at $25.00 for a half hour. And $45.00 for an hour.I am flexible and work with students with frequency of lessons.
How did you get started teaching?
It was a natural process with me. Having friends asked me how to play stuff when I was around 16 years old. And I developed a system Through the years. My teacher Maurice suggested I start teaching at Accent music back in the early 80s and haven’t stopped since.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types. A few with learning disabilities. And one girl with spina bifida. She couldn’t really form chords so I put a slide on her left hand and tuned the guitar to an open tuning and let her play through an amp. She looked up at her parents and they all smiled.It was a great moment.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Playing with Sam Woolf from American idol at the Blue Rooster downtown Sarasota recently.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure they are well-versed in music theory.It’s always a plus if they are good readers.Mainly make sure they are patient and get excited about music.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would ask that they teach songs the student would like to learn.Also that they can evaluate that the guitar is playable.So many need adjustments. Sometimes the teachers do the adjustments.If not,the music store will have their guitar tech do it.