Jam Sessions are Getting Better

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Jam Sessions are Getting Better!

One of the things I have always wanted for the students is to give them an opportunity to play with other musicians. One on one lessons are very important, but to have the chance to use those skills in a live setting with others is invaluable. It is not for everyone, but for the students who are interested, it can add a whole new dimension to their skills on their instrument.

Our jam sessions have come a long way. It is very exciting to make changes that improve the studio and the flow of the sessions. To watch the interest grow in the jam sessions is very rewarding. It seems like once the students have experienced it, they realized it is not as scary as they thought.

New Drums Sound Great

Jam Sessions are Getting Better!Recently, the studio received a major upgrade with an Alesis drum kit. What a difference it has made. The acoustic set was nice, but now it sounds like you are on stage at a gig. The sub woofers kick out some great bass while not over powering the music. I want to thank Scott for his donation to help us purchase more equipment. In the que we have another set of LED lighting to create even more of a rock and roll ambiance.

New Lighting and Furniture has Improved the Jam Sessions

The lighting is extremely vibrant. Just before we start, the lights are adjusted to a deep blue color, very much like the real stage experience. There is a fogger as well and more lighting behind the drums and in the corners. Spotlight Music has helped by donating some of their tables and chairs for the parents to sit at. Using the latest cell phone camera technology, the parents have taken some amazing photos of their budding rock star during the sessions. Those have been posted here in the media section of the site.

The Next Jam Session

Even though the songs are not expected to be perfect, it is amazing at how quickly it all came together. The key is that everyone is having a lot of fun. I hope to get some other teachers who specialize in other instruments to join us. Hopefully, this will become a fun side project for them that will continue to grow. Every session becomes an even better experience and is now something that will remain constant throughout my teaching career.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up for lessons, please contact me.

Saying Goodbye

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Saying Goodbye to Students

I just left the studio and said goodbye to another student who has been with me for almost a decade. It is so sad when you meet someone at the age of 6 or 7 and then all of a sudden, they are 18 and leaving for college. Sometimes you see them again when they stop back to visit. But after that, they are on the road to starting their next new adventure.

Unique Profession 

Teaching music is one of the very few careers where someone can get together with another person to create music on a weekly basis. Sometimes this can be an hour each week for over a decade. It is a lot of fun to hear about the big events that happen to them. After several years, those students are like family. It is so nice to get the graduation announcements in the mail and watch them as they grab that diploma. I always hope they will pursue music in college, but of course I understand that a degree in music is not for everyone.

What I Hope They Remember

Saying Goodbye to Always DifficultMy hope is that every student who leaves has amazing memories of their time in the studio. My goal is not only to teach them how to play, but to pass along the passion for making music as well. I want them to look back when they are my age and smile when they remember their lessons. Then, I hope they pass along the same gift of music to their kids. Music is one of the things that really brings people together.

I am always happy for the student as they enter their next phase of life and grateful for the time I had with them.

If you are interested in lessons, please contact me. I teach in-person lessons and online as well. For in-person lessons, I have a studio at Boomer Music in Fort Collins, Colorado, and here in Greeley.

My Style of Teaching

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Guitars in Hot Cars

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My Experience with Covid

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Quitting Lessons

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Quitting Lessons

I have seen some of the most amazing students come and go. Some have stayed for over a decade and others ended up quitting guitar lessons after less than a month.  If the student has been with a teacher for a number of years and has built an amazing relationship, leaving can really be tough. Here are a few thoughts that may help ease the transition.

When Should I Tell the Teacher I am Quitting Lessons?

The beginning of the lesson can sometimes be the best time to mention it. This way, the student does not focus on the dreaded conversation during the lesson. Sometimes students get too nervous to say anything and won’t if they wait until the end of the lesson.

Most teachers prefer finding out at the beginning of the lessons. This way if there is anything that can get worked out, like a schedule conflict or money issues, sometimes the instructor can help. If the parent is up for it, a phone call can be a nice touch for a teacher they like.

 A Good Teacher Understands

Quitting Lessons after 11 years to go to college.

Sanne at Spotlight Music

Most music teachers know there are an endless number of reasons a student may need to stop lessons. Sometimes students are moving, have school conflicts, sports conflicts, or maybe they simply lose interest.

A lot of times the instructor will have an idea that the student is leaving as the day approaches. If the student is moving, then the instructor has probably heard about it at some point. The same is true with sports or other conflicts. If there is a complete lack of enthusiasm, the teacher is probably already prepared for the inevitable. Teaching someone whose heart is not in it is actually a real challenge. Despite best efforts to inspire the student.

Giving Notice Before Quitting Lessons is Invaluable

For an instructor that is very busy, filling the spot isn’t usually a problem. Even so, if you are going to leave, the best gift you can give a teacher is notice. This will give your instructor time to let the lesson coordinator know he/she will have a spot opening up. The prospective student will also be very happy to know there will be a slot available. Giving them a card is a wonderful way to leave a keepsake and ease the moment.

Check Back In

 Quitting guitar lessons definitely does not mean the end. There is nothing better than to walk out and see a former student excited to say hi. There have been several students who have come back after college and asked to get a cup of coffee and catch up. What an amazing feeling!

Finally…

There is nothing more rewarding than to watch a student grow both musically and as a person. Don’t stress if you have to leave. For most teachers, the door is always open anytime you would like to come back.

Taking Lessons

If you are interested in guitar, ukulele, or bass lessons, feel free to contact me. I teach in both Greeley and Fort Collins, Colorado as well as online.

 

Taking Guitar Lessons with a Friend

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Inspiring Students Through Technology

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Purchasing a Classical Guitar

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Purchasing a Classical Guitar

Purchasing a classical guitar is probably the easiest of all the guitars to choose from. There are still a lot of variations from one classical to another, but not nearly as many as you will find in an electric.

There are two main reasons why starting out on a classical guitar is a good idea. If you would like to pursue music specifically written for classical, then definitely get one. Also, if you do not want an electric guitar, but the acoustic guitar strings are just too hard to play, then starting on a classical is a great choice.

Classical guitars are designed to be played a little differently than an acoustic. Flamenco and classical styles have a hand position that is quite different from the acoustic.  However, most people who pick up one for rock and roll or country tend to play a classical just like any other guitar.

Even though the classical guitars generally have less variation than acoustic or electric guitars, there are some important things to consider when purchasing one.

Body Shape

Classical guitars are usually smaller than the steel string acoustic guitars. This can be a real advantage for younger students. The body style does not vary as much as an electric, but still will have minor difference. One of these is the cutaway.

As with the steel string acoustic, a cutaway is quite an advantage to own. It allows the guitarist to reach notes further up the fret board when soloing. Traditionally, the classical guitar meets the body at the 12th fret. This can really put a damper on things if you need to get to the higher notes.

Some people believe that the tone is affected enough to make it worth passing over guitars with a cutaway. That may be something to compare while at the local music store if they have both in stock.

Consider Neck Size When Purchasing a Guitar

Classical Guitar

Classical Guitar

One big difference between a classical guitar and pretty much any other guitar is the width of the neck. It may be difficult for young people to be able to get their fingers on the 5th or 6th strings on a full size classical. Buying a smaller guitar is always an option if this is the case. Classical guitars come in ¼, ½, ¾, and full size.

Classical Guitar Strings

Strings are another major area where classical guitars are much different than acoustic and electric guitars. The top three strings on a classical guitar are made out of nylon. The nylon strings produce a nice warm sound. This will also make playing a classical guitar much easier than an acoustic. This will help with the main complaint most younger guitar students have…sore finger tips.

Conclusion

There are many differences and things to look for when purchasing a classical guitar. The best thing to ask yourself is does it feel and sound good. It is important to get a quality guitar even if you decided later to purchase a steel string.

If you are considering purchasing a classical guitar and would like more information, contact Rob or Jen at Spotlight Music. For guitar lessons, please contact me, I look forward to hearing from you!

Purchasing a Guitar Part 3-The Electric

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Purchasing an electric guitar for the first time is an amazing experience. There is almost an endless amount of colors, shapes, configurations, and sizes. A person could literally stay at a music store all day just trying out guitars. There are a few things I would recommend when it comes to purchasing an electric guitar.

Many of the same thoughts that I wrote about in the acoustic guitar purchase holds true with the electric as well. I will list them but feel free to click on the link “Purchasing a Guitar Part 2-The Acoustic” for more details.

Here are three areas that will apply to all guitar purchases.

  • Is the guitar attractive?
  • Does the guitar size fit your body?
  • Does it sound good to you?

There are a few other important considerations that will apply a bit more to the electric guitar:

  • Appearance: Style, Shape, and Color
  • Floating Bridge/hardtail/standard tremolo/locking nut
  • Electronics

Style and Shape

Purchasing a Guitar Part 3Style is the first thing that comes to mind when considering an electric guitar. There are many styles to choose from which sometimes will or will not match the genre you are pursuing. A person could show up with a flying V to a jazz combo, but you would probably get a few strange looks. Fender and Gibson are the industry standards but there are a lot of competing brands.

Most people love the Gibson Les Paul look. They are beautiful guitars, but I cannot get used to the neck. It seems like Fender and Ibanez have faster necks that are built for blues and rock.

One important point in the last article that is worth repeating…make sure to get a guitar that you are attracted to. This will make paying for it and playing it much more enjoyable. There are too many guitars out there to have to settle.

Another important consideration is the Flying V. This is a guitar that looks amazing to the younger generation and has been used by countless musicians. It can have a great sound and play like a dream. But the downside is if you are sitting, it may slide off your leg. You can use a strap or play classical style, however, it is awkward for a lot of guitarists.

 

Bridge Systems

The next thing I look for is what type of bridge do I want. There are many types of bridges, but I will focus on the three main types. First is the hard-tail which is anchored onto the guitar and does not have a whammy bar. The second is a standard tremolo that uses a whammy bar, but only moves one direction. A third common option is the floating tremolo system.

Hard Tail

The hard tail does not move and does not have a place for a whammy bar. It is nice because if you break a string, most of the other strings will stay in tune. You can also save a little money since the hard tail is less complex and therefore less expensive than other bridges.

Locking Tremolo

The second type is a non-locking tremolo system. These were originally found on guitars that were made before the late 70’s. They offered musicians a lot of cool effects like dives and vibrato. Artists like Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, and Keith Richards use this style. The problem they have is that the strings can go out of tune due to the releasing and stretching of the strings.

Floating Tremolo

The third type is a floating tremolo system that locks at the head nut. One popular brand is the Floyd Rose. This is the type I have used over the years and have mixed feelings about it. The advantage are all the tricks a guitarist can do such as fluttering and diving without going out of tune. The big disadvantage is if a string breaks, the whole guitar goes out of tune. This is due to uneven tension on the bridge. Once a string breaks and the bridge moves, you have to switch out the guitar.

Electronics

The next thing to check for are the electronics. There are truly too many variables to cover all of it in this article. However, I will hit on the important one. Should you get a guitar with active or passive pick-ups?

Active pick-ups are powered by a battery and passive pick-ups are not. The advantage of an active pick-up is that it is a bit more powerful and the tone can be a little more even when adjusting the volume. You will need to unplug the guitar when you are done playing or it will drain the battery. Which brings me to the disadvantage. If the battery dies, you may have to change the guitar out or have a fresh battery ready.

Passive pick-ups are less powerful, but have more tonal options. Most songs throughout history are recorded using passive pickups. However, my favorite guitarist, David Gilmore of Pink Floyd, uses active pickups. Deciding which pickup is right for you is decision that may come down to tone and whether you want to deal with a battery. Active pickups are more expensive, but are quieter, have more sustain, and have no loss of high frequency with a long cable. Yet passive pickups are more affordable, natural sounding, and have better dynamic response.

Conclusion

These are just some areas to consider and research when looking into purchasing your first electric guitar. The bottom line is the feel, look, and sound. An amp can compensate for a lot of the weaknesses in a guitar, but it won’t be able to polish a turd.

 

If you are interested in taking lessons, please contact me, I look forward to hearing from you!