Daniel Byington Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

I have been a student of the guitar for eleven years, gaining experience in several local bands, and studying under Mike Smokovicz in Berkley. I also learned a great deal about equipment and tone working next to Bruce Egnater for several years. I am skilled in both the technical, theory based aspect of music, as well as the creative, experimental, and emotional side of it. I approach teaching with the desire to inform the student and guide their learning according to their wants and needs. I am well versed in guitar maintainance, effects, recording, and all styles and levels of playing.

My influences are:

Guthrie Govan, Kaki King, Robert Fripp(King Crimson), Johnny Greenwood(Radiohead), Michael Hedges, Jaco Pastorius, Leo Kottke, Erik Mongrain, Randy Rhoads, Tosin Abasi

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:

Students' homes in the Greater Metro Detroit area and my studio in Hazel Park.

Guitar Techniques:

Guidance In Equipment Selection, Recording and Production, Song Writing, Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Jamming Skills, Improvisation, Performance, Vocal Accompaniment, Slide Guitar, Fingerstyle, Open tuning, Rhythm guitar, Lead guitar

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

Simple questions are usually the first step in assessing one's knowledge, such as 'Have you ever played guitar?', 'Ever played a musical intrument?', 'Do you know any scales/chords', 'Any techniques or songs you would like to learn?', or by simply asking the student to demonstrate something he feels represents his skill level properly. Once the level of playing has been gauged, it is usually easy to decide what the student wants or needs most.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

Depending on the level the student is at, a lesson will begin by creating a solid foundation to build upon, as well as an understanding of what the student intends to learn. From there, the lesson is explained in detail, and excercises will follow. The student is encouraged to ask questions of all kinds. The lesson concludes with a wrap-up and some excercises and/or information to study for the following weeks lesson.

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

A student who is serious, patient, and willing to experiment, and see the guitar as not only a skill, but as an instrument of expression. Students who would like to write their own music, as well as students interested heavily in the technical and theory end of guitar.