Jonathan Russo Guitar Lesson

My teaching approach:

My background is based in classical and jazz guitar so the ability to read music is encouraged. I have a bachelors degree in guitar performance and have studied jazz guitar as well. I play in multiple rock bands and jazz groups. I generally start my beginner students with classical guitar to give them a foundation in reading, theory, and also include any aspects of the instrument they would like to learn. All students vary and my experience teaching privately and 3 years in a music classroom gives me a good perspective on how each individual student learns and how to approach teaching them.

My influences are:

Pat metheny, Vic Juris, jimi Hendrix, grant green, Barney kessel, Wes Montgomery, SRV, and the list goes on.

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio

Guitar lessons typically take place on these days and hours:

I teach Mon-Fri currently from 12pm-9/10pm and Saturday from 8am-6pm

Guitar Techniques:

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

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

If a student is a complete beginner with zero experience with an instrument, the first lesson involves learning how to sit comfortable with the instrument and how to play with proper technique and a steady beat. My beginner students generally are able to play simple melodies using the method books I use by the end of the lesson. For intermediate, advanced, and professional guitarists...I like to see their reading ability and assess that. Their knowledge of the fret board and scales in multiple positions and ask them to play a bit to see their technique and musical abilities

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

For my youngest students(4,5,&6) a lesson would involve parents being in the lesson and learning from observation to reinforce what was learned at home. Learning basic technique, fun music games to reinforce simple musical concepts like rhythm and melody, and playing simple melodies and chords as soon as they are able. For my older students, each lesson varies depending on the style they would like to learn and music they would like to play. All lessons would include reinforcement of solid technique, reading, learning the fret board, chord voicings, scales, etc.

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

Disciplined, excited, respectful, and demonstrating even the slightest interest in the guitar. I've worked with many students and as long as their is some interest there, I can teach effectively.