Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Dumont, Demarest, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Norwood, Rockleigh, Tenafly in Bergen County, NJ
Background/experience:
It's over 40 years since I started guitar. I've taught since 2002 and currently make house visits within 15 minutes of home. From age 8, I learned classical guitar from UK author/music educator John Gavall. {Search
SheetMusicPlus.com for John Gavall }. This was a great foundation. By late 1970s I played electric guitar professionally while still living in the UK. A few years ago I founded NJ Electric Guitar Group for young people to play for charity and community events in Clifton, NJ. (Visit www.njegg.org.) I have a non-music degree (BS) and constantly compose, arrange and study music as a personal passion.
Teaching Philosophy:
My approach is to find out what works best for each individual based around a curriculum of essencial skills and knowledge. For children, I believe in giving a solid musical foundation at the right age through guitar. In my experience, the best age to START guitar is between ages of 7 and 10. At that age, they can absorb music reading, develop good technique and learn fundamental music theory. I think guitar is too demanding for most kids younger than 7.
By 11, kids should already have a good musical foundation. If they studied a different instrument and really want to play guitar, they are likely to transfer their musicality quickly to guitar.
Guitar is a serious instrument - are you kidding!?
Music should be fun, but requires commitment and dedication to reap the most rewards. Anyone who wants to have fun with guitar should be serious! No kidding! If your children like music, want to play guitar and understand the need to practice what they learn (with a little encouragement), why not give them lessons?
Some favorite guitar players:
Classical Guitar: Andres Segovia, Christopher
Parkening, Pepe Romero, Julian Bream, John Williams Acoustic Guitar:
Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee Electric Guitar:
Frank Gambale, George Benson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Petrucci, Eric Clapton, Chet Atkins.
