|
Forty Years of experience contributes to expertise in teaching and
playing many styles of music. Lessons are taught with a simple, fun,
approachable style that helps make complex ideas seem manageable. Since
each student has varied goals, the teaching approach should also vary.
Zeroing in on what a student wants to learn,yields the highest
motivation. Natural enthusiasm helps a student make the necessary
effort to achieve satisfying growth.
Classical GuitarBeautiful Tone production is at the heart of classical guitar technique. This technique is known as the Segovia Technique. I had the good fortune to study with one of his students, the great Albert Valdes Blaine. I have a good background in the baroque/classical repetoire as well as some of the 20th century composers . Younger students are taught the Suzuki method, which although was originally developed for the violin, is an outstanding method for teaching children classical guitar. I also have experience in playing figured bass accompaniment which is a style of harmonizing bass lines that is not unrelated to what jazz players refer to as "comping". Jazz Guitar and ImprovisationJazz is a word used to describe a musical form that has changed at least every decade since its beginnings at the turn of the century. What we refer to as jazz could be anything from modern "new age" music to bebop. We could be talking about a hybrid of different world music or rocked out guitars. There are so many sounds that people refer to when they talk about jazz that it's not meaningful for us to lump them together. If someone wants to learn about the style of Django Rheinhardt, it makes no sense to transcribe Alan Holdsworth solos. But this is the type of problem in communication that occurs when so many different styles are lumped together. My approach to this is to try and understand the art form historically. By seeing how styles evolved into each other, we can develop a language that can help us improvise with authority. Blues GuitarBlues is a wonderful music to understand historically. While it is a diverse music, it is also unmistakable. The elements that are used to play blues are relatively simple, but the art of phrasing, drama and storytelling become central musical ideas. I like to pick seminal recordings and transcribe and analyze them, not so much for the notes or riffs that they use, although it is helpful to know what they are, but to emulate the feel and approach of the individual artists. Blues guitar can be picked or played with a slide. It can be jazzy or hard. It can be played with a gospel or a country feel. There will always be, however, certain elements that make the music identifiable as Blues. Rock GuitarRock has also come to mean so many styles that it is hard to know what people mean. Rock guitar includes the great early rock and roll or "rockabilly" styles, the pop guitars of the 1960's, acid rock, funk, hard rock, soft rock, heavy metal, disco, punk rock, jam bands, grunge, emo, garage and beyond. What makes studying rock guitar successful is for the student to decide specifically what they want to play. Then we can begin understanding the elements that are used, and acquire the skills through targeted practice to receive the pleasure of playing the music, especially music that is personally meaningful to us. I am also a songwriter and can teach elements of song writing. Creating our own music can be highly motivating. Lessons For ChildrenYoung children can benefit very much from Suzuki training. Unless a child comes in with specific music they want to learn, Suzuki training will provide an excellent background for developing natural musicality. Basic good habits are taught in the context of games. A child's musical talent can naturally develop when music making is simply a part of their world. Learning to practice for fifteen to thirty minutes a day can work wonders for developing concentration. |