Andrew Schneider Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

Music is my life. I play local gigs on weekly basis, teach, write songs and have touring experience. Finding out why my students want to learn guitar is important. From there we can cultivate motivation and set goals together. Depending on the students strengths, weaknesses and desires, I'll cater the lessons to reach these goals. Of course, having fun is most important. I highly encourage every student to purchase a metronome, tuner, music stand and recommended instructional book. Whatever the student doesn't have can be supplied in the studio.

My influences are:

Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Queen, Frank Zappa, Jack White, Freddie King, Robert Cray, Bob

Brozman, Tom Petty (Mike Campbell), Little Feat, Yes, Big Bill Bronzy, Black Sabbath, ACDC, John Lee Hooker, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Nirvana, The Kinks, The Black Keys, Blur, Weezer, The Offspring, Steely Dan, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Buck Owens, Willy Nelson, Townes Van Zant, Jerry Jeff Walker, Earl Scruggs, Bob Dylan, Harry Nelson, Neil Young, Talking Heads, Miles Davis, Joe Pass, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Django Reinhardt, Raffi, They Might Be Giants, Devo, Bach

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio

Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:

South Austin

Guitar Techniques:

Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Open tuning, Fingerstyle, Slide Guitar, Vocal Accompaniment, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Guidance In Equipment Selection

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

Firstly, I would ask them what they know about the guitar and have them show me what they can already play. Depending on where they're at, I'll look for any technical obstructions to help the student improve what they already know. Usually very simple, fundamental things will need slight adjusting. (Ex. rhythm, timing, tonal quality, posture etc..) From there we can set short term and long term goals. For young kids, I like to get them really excited. I show them what can be done with the guitar. I give them a tour of all the parts of the guitar. Then I show them how to hold and strum it.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

For older kids to adults a typical lesson would be divided into 2 segments. The first half would stress sight reading, exercises and theory. I use the Berklee Guitar books by William Leavitt. The second half focuses on learning favorite songs/licks/styles. Most importantly, both involve ear training. With the younger kids I use Mel Bay Children's guitar method. The lessons are more flexible, with an emphasis on teaching with a fun, goofy attitude. At the end of each lesson everybody is left with something to take home and practice. This includes assigned work from the books and/or tabs.

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

I would like my ideal student to get their money's worth and have fun. Here's how... -Show up 5 minutes before the lesson starts. This allows smooth transitions between lesson. I also don't want to cut your lesson short if theres another student lined up -Take the material home and practice it. Improvement doesn't happen overnight it takes patience and consistency. -Enjoy yourself, relax and have fun! When you start seeing improvements suddenly doors will open up and you'll want to play more.