Andrew Downs Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

My approach is student focused. The lessons are custom tailored for each student to focus on correcting performance problems and zeroing in on short and long term goals. The highest priority, is to forge a direct path between where a student is and where they want to be with their instrument. With proper practice I help the student traverse the challenges they face, while making the path easier by guiding them around mistakes and poor habits.

My influences are:

1960's through Current Rock Music, Metal, Funk, Jazz, Alternative, and Grunge. Personal Influences: Slash, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Cantrell, Kim Thayil, Nancy WIlson, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Ty Tabor.

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio

Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:

Portland Percussion Music Supply 803 Forest Avenue Portland, Maine USA 04103

Guitar Techniques:

Guidance In Equipment Selection, Recording and Production, Song Writing, Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Jamming Skills, Improvisation, Performance, Rhythm guitar, Lead guitar

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

I like to learn about the students musical tastes, their desires and ambitions, and their goals. This helps to create a blueprint for future lesson plans.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

After an introductory lessons, the lesson is typically broken into three ten minute chunks. The first chunk is devoted to reviewing assignments and/or lessons from the prior week. The next chunk is devoted to either addressing students questions or introduce a new concept. The last ten minutes is typically focused on an area of the students choosing whether it be songwriting, soloing, or another concept.

The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following:

Any student who is excited to learn or improve their skills on the guitar or bass. Style preference is not as important as a desire to learn.