
I obtained my teaching certificate in 2006 and gradually discovered that providing private instruction is my supreme element. I also discovered that I'm a hands-on learner - more so than I am a visual or auditory one.
Hands-on learners make up a rather small percent of the population - one whose needs are easy to overlook. I make it my job to support students who need to do something in order to understand it and I do this by way of having you imitate what I do.
Though imitation and repetition are my most obvious pieces, I make my lessons fun and exciting as well. Everyone can be (and already is) an actor, a musician, a skilled cook, and a proficient photographer. My job is simply to help you discover these things (which are in you already) and provide them a little guidance so that you can allow them to flourish.
More than just about anything else, I enjoy instilling a sense of confidence. Many of my students begin lessons with a sense that being proficient is just not for them.
We are ALL music and ALL of us can create it. Learning how to do it is really a matter of enthusiasm, dedication, and (mostly impotantly) letting go and letting it move through you. I especially value witnessing students let go of negative self-assumptions and simply being one with the music they love.
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I like how he is very friendly and kind when teaching me how to play guitar. Also he helped make a lesson plan to make me good at certain skills I wanted to learn which is nice in letting me have a little bit of control in what I want to accomplish.
We tried a few different guitar teachers for our two young daughters, but they learned the most with Sam. He is one of those rare individuals with a gift for working with children, and has made a career for himself in teaching. He has a strong presence in the space that keeps children very focused on the music. I highly recommend.
Lessons begin with my asking you to identify a single goal. It could be anything from baking challah bread to releasing a chart-topping single. Whatever the goal, I tailor the curriculum around it providing frequent and encouraging feedback all along the path.
I'm a certified K-8 classroom teacher. I also have a related Master's degree.
I've been maintaining a profile on TakeLessons.com since 2013 - largely in response to wanting to build a private practice. In general, I'm more effective one-on-one and with small groups than I am in front of twenty or more at one time. I decided to pursue work in that vein.
I've worked with all ages - young and old. I've taught children and adults. There are various pluses and minuses to working with just about any age bracket. I have no specific preferences.
In August of 2016, I became an uncle. That's a very exciting thing.
Be clear about your goal(s) - even if its simply to play "Kum Ba Ya" around the campfire. No goal is more or less worthier than any other - just be precise (both with yourself and your teacher) about what you specifically want to be able to do.
What do I want to do?
What does this teacher's profile tell me about what he/she/they will do to help me be able to do it?