About
Hello! I have been teaching private guitar and bass lessons to students of all ages and abilities for 25 years. I also have taught ensembles as well as individual and group lessons in public and private schools. My students receive instruction about what they "need to know" as well as what they "want to know". Striking a balance between these is my goal. Whether you need to nail that solo for your garage band or master an audition piece for college, I can help you achieve your musical goals.
I currently maintain a semi-active performing schedule and a very active schedule composing, recording, and releasing my original music.
I enjoy private teaching because I get to customize the curriculum for every student. Each student improves at his or her own pace. I have experience teaching most ages and ability levels.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Penny L.
Mike teaches at their speed, and ensures they master the basics before moving on to
challenges which may cause frustration. I am very happy with his lesson services for my
son.
Gail F.
much. He tailored each lesson to my goals and I enjoyed every second of it. Im currently
studying contemporary music and songwriting at a college in Nashville, TN and Mike was a
great help whil I prepared for my auditions. Not only did he help me with the ... Show more
Arjun S.
enjoyed learning to play guitar and read music. Apart from teaching guitar he has
exposed me to variety of music styles and has always been encouraging me to improve
myself. He has been my favorite teacher because he was always willing to list... Show more
Pat C.
friendly and effective teaching style with real music educations. You can learn songs on
the internet, but you need a real teacher to deliver the building blocks of melody, rhythm,
scales, chords, and songs, and to teach you the language of music.One of th... Show more
Ben T.
attentive, knowledgable and easy to speak with. He creates a relaxed environment and
motivated myself and other students I knew to make great improvement during our time
with him. I would recommend him to any beginning or intermediate player lo... Show more
Luke M.
and approachable teacher, a great personality for both kids and adults. I am in college as a
music major now and have always had an edge on my peers because of theory,
improvisation and ear training skills I learned with mike. I mostly worked on ja... Show more
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Prior to the first lesson, I try to get a sense of a student's previous musical experience. I encourage students to bring materials from any previous lessons. In our first lesson we will decide on short and long term goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a bachelor of music degree in performance from UMass Lowell, and post baccalaureate certification in music education from Bridgewater State University which allowed me to become licensed to teach music in Massachusetts public schools.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $27 per half hour lesson per week. Students forfeit lessons that are cancelled same-day; all other missed lessons can be made up at a mutually convenient time. Longer lessons are available for intermediate and advanced students.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching privately after graduating from college. It was a building process, but within a couple of years my schedule was full.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students from ages 7 to 80. Some of my students have gone on to major in music in college and become professional musicians. I have worked with students on the autism spectrum. I have a lot of experience teaching adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had an adult student who was terrified of performing in front of an audience. With encouragement she agreed to play at our student concert. She played very well and is now asking when the next concert will be!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would encourage students to be wary of who they hire to teach them. Many guitar and bass instructors teach only by the "riff a week" method, thinking that will make the student happy. It might, for a little while. Typically though, those types of "teaching" methods don't get students any closer to understanding music or their instruments. It's helpful to take lessons with someone who either has a lot of private teaching experience and/or music education background. Many instructors can play very well but have no idea about how to structure their lessons.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should consider why they want to take lessons. Sometimes this can be difficult to articulate. Being honest with the potential teacher will help the teacher structure the lessons appropriately.