Mike Farkas Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Boston MA – 1992 Over 25 years experience. with a Bachelors degree in Jazz Composition / Guitar principal Mike also Studied with noted educators: Charlie Banacos – jazz improvisation and ear training Kenny Werner - jazz improvisation and performance John Damien – Guitar Jazz improvisation Garrison Fewell - Guitar Jazz improvisation Dick Lowell – jazz arranging for big band Scott Free - Advanced composition Ted Pease – Advanced jazz arranging techniques Lessons are tailored to each students ability pace and style preference .

My influences are:

I have so many influences! First I have has some of the best teachers money can buy. One who I was very fond of was Charlie Banacos. I still review his

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio or the student's home

Guitar lessons typically take place on these days and hours:

Thus can vary, but generally lessons fall in the after school to dinner time hours and weekends.

Guitar Techniques:

Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Fingerstyle, Slide Guitar, Performance, Improvisation, Reading Music, Music Theory, Song Writing, Recording and Production

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

This depends on age and ability, however with a brand new student, we start with the very basics.; how to hold the guitar, pick etc., tuning and guitar layout. With A student who has had some previous experience I would quiz on some of the basics and chord and scale knowledge. Ask if they can play something and go from there. Usually it doesn't take long to assess where to begin. With a more advanced student it would depend on theoretical knowledge, fretboard knowledge and on their individual goals and style preference. Ie; are they prepping for college or a college audition?

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

A typical lesson would begin with a recap of the previous weeks lesson to see if the student mastered the material. Then we would move on to the next step in the learning process. Lessons usually consist of both harmonic and melodic material as applied to actual songs.

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

Generally speaking, this is Someone with a love for music a willingness to learn and who likes to practice. It tends to be more enjoyable for the teacher if there is a musical and personal rapport and we can do some actual playing in the lessons. Teaching and learning is a give and take and as a teacher that musical interaction is what drives me.