About
My teaching approach: I'll help you set up musical goals, and give you customized exercises and weekly challenges until you achieve them. My approach is based on creativity and self competition. I offer help preparing for auditions, recording, songwriting, soloing, improv., music theory, sight reading, performance, fretboard logic, chord and scale systems, guitar maintenance and repair. All ages and styles welcome. Children 5 years and older. Your first lesson is free, or get six lessons for the price of four. My influences are: I love all music. My guitar lessons take place in: The teacher's studio or the student's home Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas: Jason's School Of Music, Pasadena MD Towson/ Parkville/ Lauraville/ Baltimore Guitar Techniques: Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Fingerstyle, Slide Guitar, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Guidance In Equipment Selection Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following: I assess a student's goals and abilities just by having a conversation. I might ask a student to play chords, scales or songs they might know. For beginners, this conversation focuses on the student's musical tastes and goals. Advanced students may require more than one lesson to assess skill level and curriculum. This is partially why I offer the first lesson free. A guitar lesson with me might entail the following: Each lesson is designed to help you practice more efficiently at home. We will start with a 10 minute technique warm-up, followed by chord structures and rhythmic reading or ear training. Each lesson ends with time devoted to learning the song of your choice, or songwriting. The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following: My ideal guitar student shows up every week, brings his or her guitar and books.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Beginners: Our first lesson will focus on picking techniques and rhythm. Lesson two will focus on fret hand techniques, chords, and strumming patterns. Each lesson after will be half technique and learning new chords/ notes, and half learning songs.
Intermediate and advanced students:
Your first lesson will provide me with an assessment of your skill level so we can make a plan moving forward.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I've taught music as a full time career for 24 years. I've helped many students become successful career musicians and music educators.
I'm currently the owner of SoundSmith Music Center, located 3021A Mountain Rd in Pasadena. I also teach guitar and bass at the same location, as well as at my home studio in Baltimore, MD.
in 2013, I was the Music Director for School Of Rock's Little Wing program, teaching pre-school children fundamentals of music.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My lessons are priced in 30 minute, 45 minute, and 60 minute tiers.
30 minute lesson: $25
45 minute lesson: $35
60 minute lesson: $45
If you pay monthly rather than weekly, you will recieve a free lesson when there is a 5th week in the month. (4 free lessons per year)
Cancellation policy:
If you give at least 24 hours notice when canceling, there is no charge for the missed lesson. If 24 hour notice is not given, the lesson must be paid for prior to scheduling another lesson.
If 24 notice is not given, but special circumstances prevent you from attending, (emergency, inclement weather) the lesson still must be paid for, but a rescheduled time will be offered.
How did you get started teaching?
I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old. I immediately fell in love with the instrument, and found it very natural to learn songs by ear.
By the time I was 14, I was being asked by my guitar playing friends and family to learn songs for them and teach them to play. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was being paid to teach guitar and bass. In my first year of college, I had a studio roster of 40-50 students per week. I've been able to maintain that level of business since 1994 while also performing and recording in a very diverse range of music, from R&B to Jazz, Funk, Rock, and Metal.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students from age 3 to 75. I've helped students of all musical backgrounds and skill levels. From casual learners, to career musicians, and everyone in between. I'm also comfortable working with special needs students.