About
Ive been studying for over 20 years. Im fleunt in both compsositon and imrovisationin in the styles of jazz, blues, pop, rock, funk, country and R&B. Ive taught on all levels and ages at both The Guitar Studio for about 6 years and on my own now for almost a decade. I am well veresed in music theory including: reading music, composition, improvisation, chord and scale construction and application, style analysis, trancription, left/right hand technique, harmonic analysis and advanced rhythm study. Ive heped many a student prepare for allstate jazz and colledge auditions.
I teach using the S.M.A.R.T system. It stands for systematic,measusrable,acheivable, realistic and time limited goal setting. I try to personalize each lesson plan to my students specific desires and needs to help them achieve a sense of fulfilmeant in their muscial endeavors.
Music is my life weather its teaching, being a student or performing and it has been for over 20 years. Its a true gift and one I always enjoy sharing with others, whether they are new to music or just need some guidence in one area or another.
Below i will leave links to my web page and youtube channel for refference. I will also be launching a new youtube channel this spring with all new material.
https://guitarlessonsri.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1UgY_HABMvjLBMp-JgKXg?view_as=subscriber
Music has been both a dicovery of something beatiful I've found in the world but has even more so been a discovery of self and my own potential. I cant think of a more honorable position than to be a guide for others on this amazing journey.
Reviews
Dave D.
Steven S.
Dave B.
Steven S.
Mikki M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first lesson is mainly to determine what a student wishes to improve and also an assessment of their skill level (If any). We then set some goals and beggin at working towards them through varrious means.
With students who have never played guitar i like to introduce reading music and learning fundamentals such as basic right/left had technique, chord shapes and also how to read tablature and chord diagrams.
In some circumastances a student may join to simply learn a few songs or how to strum chords in wich case we may bypass the reading. I usually ask my older stusents if they are interested in reading.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Ive been self educated for over 20 years but my library of learning material is extensive. This includes but is not limited to: Berkley Method vol. 1-3, Harmonic Experience By W.A. Mathieu, The Charlie Parker Omnibook, Bop Duets Vol.1-3 By Bugs Bower , Nothin But Blues, Essential ii-V-I etudes and almost all other books from the Jamie Abersold series, Jazz Guitar Swing to Bebop and Bebop and Beyond By Doug Monroe. Also Hal crooks how to improvise, Intervalic Improvisation By walt Weiskoph and Triad Pairs for Jazz by Gary Campbell. Also many sinature seiries books featuring varios artists as refernce material for my students. Ive attended severl masters classes at URI and Berkley college of music and have studied and taught beside many of those instutuions Alumni.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I do. Its $40 an hr/$30 a half hr if I go to them and $30 an hr/$20 half hr if they come to me.
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching when I realized that so many people would ask me questions about guitar or general theory and I could probably mae a living anwering these questions and i have!
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages, all levels. Ive even had music majors understand their material or improve there chops.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Mainly to work hard and have a hero, some brialliant artist that inspires you to want to become better. And it doesnt hurt to have more than one influence, my list is extensive.
Also to try and have fun with it, its a journey, not a destination, and the road is endless!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
A student should consider what they want out of it. Do they want to learn to write music? Do they want to learn how to solo or improve their technique? Are they interested in reading and theory or are they more interested in learning other artists material? All of these questions are extremely relevant to the coarse we would choose when setting goals. I also think a student should consisder how much time they have to dedicate as this will also factor in to ones succes.