The Finer Details of Music Lessons

I have found that the terms "intermediate" or "advanced" guitar lessons intimidate some people. For one, musicians have a hard time evaluating their skill level. In most cases, musicians consider themselves at a lower skill level than they are. 

In some ways, labeling lessons as advanced or intermediate is inaccurate when many can’t distinguish what those levels are. And to be honest, as a teacher, those adjectives may not be the best way to find students who would be a good match.

In this article, I’m going to do my best to find other ways to describe what I find to distinguish another perspective of music lessons.

As a teacher, I find myself in the specialist category. My own research and study have gone incredibly deep, and I continue my voyage into the musical unknown. It’s a journey that never stops. Rather than trying to spy a finish line, I have found excitement and joy in the process of learning and exploration.

Moving away from a race and toward an adventure changed my mindset about learning and teaching. Instead of shortcuts, I saw a series of interconnecting blocks. I became enthralled with building these blocks. I developed a more complete view of music rather than a flash-burn perspective.

Often, when we discuss a musician's level, we talk about their skill level but not their learning level. Quite honestly, learning capacity or interest is far more important than whatever level a musician is currently at.

Learning Capacity

In using the term learning capacity, I’m not referring to the intelligence of a musician, but rather to the interest. Interest in music comes in many forms. Some simply like an activity and don’t want to think about it too deeply. They’re looking to step away from their daily activities and perhaps hang with a teacher and learn a few tunes they like.

In these lessons, there isn’t a set road plan. The material is light and limited in depth. I wouldn’t venture to call these lessons shallow. They serve a purpose for the person who is looking for them. Some want to enjoy music without getting under the hood. There is no judgment from me about this. I encourage people to learn music in the way it fits you. What matters is that you have a healthy relationship with music and enjoy it.

In the light cognitive load category, there are quite a few teacher options. In fact, most teachers will fit into this category. The defining factor in choosing a teacher is more about personality fit than information acquisition.

Y in the Road

At some point, some realize they want a deeper connection to music. The student may have specific questions about technique, theory, improvisation, and composition. Depending on the kind of music you like, it becomes important to find someone who is fluent in that style to guide you. Music is like a language, and just because someone speaks English doesn’t mean they speak French. 

About now, I’ve noticed some prospective students get nervous as they start to question their future intentions with music. There is a misguided notion that the next level of education is only for professional musicians.

Of course, professional musicians progress to this stage and beyond, but it’s not limited to them. You don’t have to plan a trajectory as a professional musician to appreciate the deeper architecture of music. You may simply like to know how things work. Or, even if you’re playing for fun as a hobby, you want to progress more efficiently and get educated answers to all of your questions.

For me, this is the line that designates where I specialize in lessons. I’m not the guitar, bass, drum, theory, composition, or recording teacher you call because I'm nearby, because you want to try an instrument and see if you like it, or want a light cognitive load.

My lessons are delegated to those who are already at an intermediate or advanced level: rather, to music students who have a desire to understand the infrastructure of music.

Often, this means I don’t get many beginner musicians reaching out, because beginners don’t know what they want yet. But that doesn't mean I haven’t taught newish musicians. Newer musicians with an appetite for information who want the straightest path to making music have approached me. Even though they weren’t at an intermediate or advanced level, I could help them because their minds were open to receiving the information I had at all levels.

Self Assessment

The ideal student for me is someone who enjoys learning music. I do help students who are trying to get into music college. I have insight into this as I am a professor at SUNY Purchase. I guide high school students as they prepare for college auditions.

I also work with adult students who are retired but have a deep love of music and just want to play with friends. But they find value in the small details that shape their progress. Music is not their profession.

I have also worked with younger students who show immense musical ability and need a mentor to support their fast-moving journey.  

All of these students share a common trait: interest in the finer details of music. If you are interested in music and want a teacher who can answer your questions with confidence, back them up with research, and explain them in a digestible way, you are a good match for my lessons.

Info Dump

It’s not enough that I have the information. Being able to communicate that information effectively becomes a major asset. A good teacher doesn’t just relay information; they can reshape it in a manner that relates to you. This skill separates people who have acquired information from those who have processed it.

I've never been able to just receive a simple answer and move on. I like to peel away layers of information like an onion. I must understand it before my mind lets me move forward, which means looking at material from several angles and rationalizing it.

Because of this, I have had success teaching students on the autism spectrum. I am myself on the autism spectrum. My goal is to make sure you understand the material and musical concepts. I don’t mind reshaping it.

My lessons are also completely inclusive. I am completely supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, and my lessons are free of judgment, bigotry, and misogyny.  You will never feel uncomfortable because of who you are in my lessons. I encourage you to be exactly who you are. Music is expression, and we need as many fresh voices as possible.

Online vs. in person

When I wanted to go down a rabbit hole for very specific styles of music, I had to research and find a few specialized teachers. I discovered teachers who have forever changed my life, and some of them weren't in person or even in the country I live in.

Online lessons have a stigma. There is an unfounded perception that online lessons are lower quality than in-person lessons. I can tell you from someone who has traveled into some of the deepest depths of music that I felt zero loss of quality in lessons from online lessons.

The information was paramount, as was the mentor's delivery. I didn’t care here who the teacher was, just that they had what I needed.

I am open to teaching in person, but for guitar, bass, music theory, recording, and composition lessons, online excels at delivering the information you need and fostering interaction.

Online lessons let me share information more effectively than in person. That’s not to discount in-person lessons, which I teach in Brooklyn, NY. I'm not trying to discredit the power of online lessons.

Are you a good match?

If you’re reading this and it resonates with how you like to learn music, reach out. I’m happy to have a free consultation to discuss your experience and goals.

As far as music goes, I’m a multi-linguist. Although my roots are in rock, blues, and punk, I’m trained in classical and jazz composition and orchestration. I also teach recording and mixing. I’m an accomplished musician on guitar, bass, synths, and drums.

Some students come to me to study multiple subjects. The requirement? You enjoy learning and asking questions.