Patrick Smith Music Lessons
About
I've been playing music for over 10 years and I've been playing, teaching, and recording for a living for the last 7. I play and teach guitar, bass, drums, and ukulele primarily, but have also taught mandolin and beginner piano. I've traveled all over the USA and a little bit of Europe. Well versed in most all genres. My life revolves around music and I love teaching it!!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
What do you want to learn? What do you want to do? I weigh this out and decide from there. I figure out how you learn best and go that route. Do you want to understand how it all works? Do you love studying music theory? We can do that. Hate studying theory, but you still want to know how it works? Well then let's learn some songs where I can make you study theory and you won't even know you are studying theory! Muahaha! I have fun and set goals. I also host jam sessions around DFW, so I love getting my students able to play out and then have them test their skills on the stage!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All I've done for the last 12 years is play music. Constantly learning every step of the way. I know that you always have something to learn and it's always possible that you could be wrong about something, so I never stop learning!
How did you get started teaching?
One day 7 years ago, a man saw me playing and was inspired by me. He asked if I taught bass lessons and I said "not yet!" He was my first student and I took off with teaching after that!
What types of students have you worked with?
All types of students! Young, old, whatever! If you want to learn then I want to teach you!
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
This year I traveled to Europe twice for music. Once in January to record an album at a studio owned by Radiohead and their management, and then again in August to play a festival in Belgium and then a string of dates across England and Scotland. What beautiful experiences. I have grown to love England a lot!!!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Whatever you do, take the information presented and practice daily!!! Don't waste your money on lessons if you aren't going to practice. I've taught students who didn't practice and it turns into the same lesson every week for a month. You learn something one day, and then you don't practice it and you have forgotten it by the following week. Practice, practice, practice!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Am I open minded enough about music? While it is good to know what you want, be set in your ways, or to have a focus in your music, you should know that things change and it's good to become as knowledgable as possible. I switched from guitar to bass in 2010 and at that moment I scrapped all stubbornness I had behind my plans and decided to become a musical chameleon. But, this may not make everyone happy. Do what makes you happy, but don't be upset by having to put in the work!