Eric I. says, "I had developed a degree of skill after years of hacking away on the guitar but lacked some fundamentals, understanding of theory, technique, and was in a playing rut. So, I did as others in that position do…… I bought another new guitar as inspiration! With this purchase however I entertained the thought of again taking a try at some lessons. I’ve tried taking lessons a few times before but was left unfulfilled by the experience. Nothing like taking a lesson to then watch the teacher put on an hour long concert in front of you, or finding someone too regimented in their approach and set on a on a single course of boredom for learning. You can save the Mel Bay book.
The alternative route is YouTube or online courses. This too has its faults. There is a lot of content to sift through and it’s tough to effectively find what you are looking for. Plus the personal connection and critical feedback component is lost. It’s disappointing to spend time on an online program when valuable time is waisted searching to find relevant material.
What I was hoping to find was a good learning partner. Someone receptive to tailoring the learning to blend with what the student wants, but equally as important, what the student needs to become better. That combo was important to me. It was important to break bad habits and be held accountable to improve fundamentally but also do so collaboratively.
In search of such a unicorn I scrolled the local social media pages. After some research I contacted Marshall Biever. Marshall responded quickly and we engaged in a constructive dialogue to detail what I was looking for. Immediately I was set at ease with Marshall, aligning on goals, the direction to take and where best to begin.
Marshall is a highly skilled professional musician but refreshingly one that is humble and reserved throughout the session. The coaching and direction is measured. Marshall’s talent and technical skill flashes timely throughout the session as only a compliment the lesson.
From the onset Marshall was receptive to my suggestions. Although we follow a logical path to learning, it’s not discouraged to situationally pivot down some fun side roads. Our lessons pique curiosity to questions I may have. These can take us into discussions around recording techniques, effect setups, song writing, gear or various other topics.
The experience has felt perfectly tailored. An approach that is guided but not restrictive. Perfect for any player at any level. For example, I’m challenged to add extra focus to areas I need help to break bad habits, but in other areas, where my skills are more mature, the approach shifts and is highly engaging. Subsequently the positive reinforcement coupled with the high expectations keeps me motivated.
In conclusion, dedicating time to the sessions with Marshall has been one of the best things I’ve done. From this experience I’ve become more knowledgeable of the fundamentals and techniques as intended plus have stepped into topics and lessons I never thought of. There is rekindled inspiration and I find myself exploring new ideas and doing so more quickly, intentionally and with a higher degree of musical competence. Still a lot to learn and I’m excited that I found Marshall as a learning partner to help continue this journey." Read more
