How do chords work on the guitar? In this guitar lesson video we’ll take a look at the most common forms of chords on the guitar and how they can be moved throughout the fret board. We’ll start by looking at a common power chord based on the E String and the A String root. From there, I’ll show you how to build major and minor barre chords off of those power chords. We’ll also take a look at the open A major and A minor chord and how to convert them into Sus2 and Sus4 chords. Lastly we’ll then look at the Sus2 barre chord form which can give you an open, airy and progressive sound. Download th ..read more

“Broken Glass” is written by Ciara Cisneros, a young and talented singer-songwriter in the East Valley.  The tune began as a solo guitar and vocal performance but Ciara and I collaborated to transform the tune in to a full production recording with drums, bass, synthesizers, back up and harmonized vocal parts. Ciara performed all the guitar and vocal parts and I performed the drum and bass parts.  I added synthesizers, mixed and mastered the track. If you like what you hear on the track and are looking for composition/songwriting lessons and or audio production for any of your ..read more

Practice is essential to develop skill in any endeavor, especially piano playing. However knowing how to structure one’s practice time can be challenging for students and busy parents.  Parents, have you wondered: “How do I help my child structure their piano practice time at home?” As a piano school owner and professional music educator, my expertise is helping students develop piano proficiency by teaching them the keys to effective piano practice. Below are 11 tips to help you and your child with practicing- Set up a regular practice schedule:  This will help them develop a cons ..read more

Performing for a live audience is an exciting and exhilarating experience, but even seasoned pianists can feel anxious before taking the stage. Anxiety is not a bad thing. In fact it’s an important element that drives us to prepare and succeed. But if we let our nerves get the better of us, we fail to reach the level of fulfillment we truly desire. If you would like to perform for audiences and want the confidence of a professional pianist, keep reading. As a piano pedagogue specializing in classical piano repertoire, I regularly prepare my students for performances and competitions. When I ..read more

A Buyer’s Guide for Beginner to Experienced Piano Players Whether your child is a complete beginner or an experienced piano student, this guide will help you decide what piano will best fit your needs. Keyboard, Digital Piano, and Acoustic Piano. What are the differences? There are lots of options when it comes to pianos. Let’s go over the main features of each. Keyboards A keyboard is an electronic piano that also features sounds of other instruments such as strings, brass, organ and voice. A beginner keyboard can range from $50 to $175 and often has 61 or 76 keys compared to a pian ..read more

Top Five Questions Answered for Parents Thinking About Piano Lessons For Their Child As a piano school owner and a pedagogue, I know how important it is for a child to be engaged and excited about learning the piano. If you are a parent who is thinking about starting piano lessons for their child, here are my top five questions and answers to help you decide what option is right for you: Is My Child Ready to Learn the Piano? It depends on your child’s age, maturity level, and interest in learning to play the piano. Generally, children as young as 4 or 5 years old can begin learning to play the ..read more

Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your playing? Do you feel like your practice routine lacks structure? Not producing the results you’d like? Would you like to have more time to practice but find that something always seems to come up and prevent you from putting in the time? As a music teacher, many students have expressed these problems and challenges to me. I love to practice and it’s a regular part of my life but for many it can seem frustrating and or ineffective. So how do you get to the point where you love to practice and are getting the results you’d like? In this article ..read more

Solo guitar music can be difficult to perform but I really enjoyed putting the music together for the gig I played last week.  Combining chords, melody, improvising and keeping a groove are essential elements in this endeavor.  This was a great challenge and sparked new ideas and approaches within my practice routine.  Hope you enjoy the video! Set List: Green Tea – John Scofield All The Things You Are – Jerome Kern What’s Goin’ On – Marvin Gaye Heart of Gold – Neil Young Tenor Madness – Sonny Rollins Black Bird – Paul McCartney Gravity – John Mayer Up Jumped Spring ..read more