About
Music lessons specializing in guitar and bass. I have a free guitar deal so you don’t have to invest in an expensive instrument before being sure you or your child will stick with it.
I believe learning the guitar (or any instrument) can be more than just playing songs. We can stick to that if thats your goal but learning can also be about reading music, understanding Music theory, notation, improvisation, even physics and math! Skills you can take to any other instrument or anywhere else
Of course, if you just want to play some songs, it can be that too.
I enjoy teaching guitar because I love watching students discover the creativity they didn’t know they had once they get past the fundamentals and discover how to put pieces together.
I’ve had students from 4 to 84 years old and its always a joy to witness the learning process.
We can learn by book, by ear, by tab, but best to learn by a combination of all. I generally use the Hal Leonad method and gradually add in scales, chords and theory to really expand possibilities. The idea is that kids start playing recognizable songs almost immediately and are encouraged to keep progressing.
Improvisation can also begin almost right away if you want to create, or you can focus on technical mastery, either way you or your child should enjoy what you’re learning along the way.
I taught friends and acquaintances for years before opening JAMS (i.e., Jeff’s Art and Music Studio) in NY in 2001 where I usually had between 30 and 45 students/week (mostly kids, but some adults as well). I sold the business in 2006 and have been teaching just a few students off and on since.
Seeing the light go on as a kid discovers for the first time that sometimes a “mistake” sounds better than the “correct” note, or when someone discovers that a misbehaving finger that last week wouldn’t listen, is suddenly going where it’s supposed to go and the student didnt even realize it before it happened.
Highlights
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Megan L.
Holly B.
Laura H.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1st lesson generally includes familiarizing the student with guitar , parts, how it works; then how to hold and sit, then the notes on the first string (e,f,g)—how to read the music and to play them. Then playing a few songs and discussion of what and how to practice
2nd lesson: Assuming the student practiced what we went over on the first string, we add the notes of the 2nd string (b,c,d)
3rd lesson: 3rd string...
once we get through the third string we start adding small chords (3-string) and chord concepts (I.e., a bit of music theory disguised as a game) continue with remaining strings adding in scales, then improvisation, more theory, composition, etc.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
36 years of playing guitar/bass; 15 years of teaching; 6 years as a student in classical, flamenco, blues and rock guitar; performance in rock, jazz guitar ensemble, punk, folk, bluegrass, and Celtic groups; 2 years of music theory
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$35/lesson (55-Min)
or get a 10-lesson deal with a free acoustic guitar (private label guitars—4 models to choose from) and lesson book for $300...(55-min lessons)
OR
$25/lesson (35-min)
10-lessons with a free acoustic guitar (private label guitars—4 models to choose from) and lesson book for $220...(35-min lessons)
Just want to buy a guitar? Four models $42 (038-R), $48 (039-B), $55 (041-DR), and $59 (040-SB)
How did you get started teaching?
Friends/acquaintances (kids at the camp I was a counselor at) asked me teach them, and I found that I like teaching as much as playing.
What types of students have you worked with?
4 to 84 years old...guitar, bass, mandolin, drums...
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Decide what you want to ultimately be able to do, but Be open to the path the teacher presents on how to get there.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Don’t doubt your ability to learn. Think about where you wanna go, don’t focus on the difficulty of the path to get there rather, ask me: What should I learn first if I want to someday be able to ______?