About
PLEASE READ for LOCATIONS/ONLINE - Guitarlessons4all.com - Lessons Online - or for in person lessons - Saratoga/Albany, NY)
About my Lesson Programs :
Lessons are taught in an informative, fun manner with great attention to detail. Lessons are catered to each individual student’s goals. From simple strumming to advanced styles of playing, I will help you achieve the guitar player you want to be.
What style of guitar playing do you want to learn? I teach several genres of music and styles of guitar playing. Some of the styles taught are Metal, Neo Classical Shred ( Think Yngwie Malmsteen) , Funk, Blues, Rock, Pop, Acoustic Guitar styles – both Steel String and Nylon String.
Other subjects I teach are music theory, diatonic and modal harmony, improvising, advanced jazz chord voicings and function, creating your own songs, music analysis, how to sub-divide beats, practicing using a metronome, to learning songs from your favorite band or artist.
Techniques taught are proper left hand positioning, finger isolation and individual control, legato playing, right hand techniques such as chordal and alternate picking, strumming, sweep picking, righthand tapping, and much more!
Bio – “Shredder” Jim Mattrazzo has been playing, performing, and teaching guitar for over 30 years. Practicing up to 9 hrs a day at one point, Jim has played in several bands from heavy metal shred, to top 40, from Van Morrison to Van Halen. Jim also has played as a soloist , performing classical and smooth jazz guitar for weddings, art galleries,wine tastings, even Hollywood!
Education – Jim has studied with guitarist and multi instrumentalist Rick Bruno, studied classical guitar at SCCC and Skidmore colleges , along with advanced studies in Flamenco and Classical guitar with legendary guitarist Dennis Koster in Manhattan . Furthering his education, Jim has studied Jazz and Contemporary music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Awards – Jim has received awards from the 2002 John Lennon Song Writing Competition, and the 1995 Billboards Song Writing Contest, getting Honorable Mention for two of his songs awarded in the top 10% of all submissions. Jimmy was also awarded in the Marshall Amplification Stun Solo Contest in 1986.
Let me help you be the guitar player you want to be ! Tell me about yourself by going to my website and fill out the contact form....you can also check out various videos and demonstrations. https://guitarlessons4all.com/gl4all/
I look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve your musical endeavors...Happy Picking and Strumming !
What I enjoy most about teaching is when a student is able to play a piece of music they always wanted to play, or understands a music concept or technique that has frustrated them. It is like I get to re-live the wonder of discovering new things, and still do learn and discover new things on guitar myself. No matter how good we get at guitar, all of us are students of it as well. I tell my students they could live several lifetimes and still be learning new things on the guitar. It is truly infinite what you can learn, and the choices are endless. To this day is facinates me of all the possibilities.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My process with a new student is a two step process to help them achieve their goals.
First and foremost, going to my website and telling me about themselves. How long have they have been playing or just starting out, what do they currently know , and what they are looking to learn. There are several check boxes a student can fill out to give me a better idea what they are looking to get out of their lessons.
Second, will be the first lesson which is an evaluation lesson. We can further discuss their goals and I can see and hear what their current ability is. From there, I can get an idea of how to customize a lesson program that best works for them, and get the student playing right away.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My Bio and experience as listed on my website.
Bio –“Shredder” Jim has been playing, performing, and teaching guitar for over 30 years. Practicing up to 9 hrs a day at one point, Jim has played in several bands from heavy metal shred, to top 40, from Van Morrison to Van Halen. Jimmy Mattrazzo also has played as a soloist , performing classical and smooth jazz guitar for weddings, art galleries,wine tastings, even Hollywood!
Education – Jim has studied with guitarist and multi instrumentalist Rick Bruno, studied classical guitar at SCCC and Skidmore colleges , along with advanced studies in Flamenco and Classical guitar with legendary guitarist Dennis Koster in Manhattan . Furthering his education, Jim has studied Jazz and Contemporary music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Awards – Jim has received awards from the 2002 John Lennon Song Writing Competition, and the 1995 Billboards Song Writing Contest, getting Honorable Mention for two of his songs awarded in the top 10% of all submissions. Jimmy was also awarded in the Marshall Amplification Stun Solo Contest in 1986.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Yes...I do have standard pricing for lessons that are paid montly and taken weekly. Monthly tuition (internet lessons via Skype or Facetime) is $130 per month and will have 4 or 5 lessons that month, depending of your day and time slot.
I also have other lessons programs available to students who are unable to commit to weekly lessons, in which there is a slight up charge. Please visit my website at https://guitarlessons4all.com/gl4all/ for the various programs I offer.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all levels and ages of students. From students in their teens just starting out, to the adult students who have played all their life, but want to start refining their skills.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
This is an interesting question and ironically I addressed this very question on my website blog under "How to Find a Local Online Guitar Instructor". I have several topics I address and questions you should be asking the teacher, and yourself. There are also other tips on my blog to help students out as well.