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INSTRUMENTS
 guitar: Phil teaches classical guitar from beginner up to grade 6
conservatory, as well as rock, blues, and heavy metal, country,
soul, R & B, and jazz. He teaches both electric and accoustic
guitar. Students have the choice of working by notes, tabs, or by
ear. Major topics of study include technique, repetoire developments
(learning songs), soloing, improvisation, speed developement,
arpeggios, various picking and strumming techniques, chord
formations / shapes, special effects pedal sound manipulation,
reading, song writing, and recording your guitar in the studio.
Custom background tracks are usually recorded for the student to jam
along with. Why just play the guitar hero or rock band video games
when you could study and maybe one day be the hero or be in the
band?
 bass: Phil teaches mostly country, rock, alternative, and blues
bass. He only teaches electric ( 4 and five string ) and electric
accoustic bass. He does not teach upright bass. Major topics of
study are basically the same as guitar but will also include funk
style slapping and popping techniques.
 piano, synthesizer, and organ: Phil teaches classical, jazz, rock,
blues, gospel, boogie-woogie, hip-hop, rap, dance, techno,
electronica, house, ... etc. He teaches accoustic piano as well as
all of the keyboard/synthesizer instruments and some organ, but not
the pump organ. Students can study the conservatory method up to
grade 9, jazz and blues improvisation, reading, writing, and
recording in any style. Extra fun tricks to be learned are things
like how to play piano backwards.
 drums and percussion: This was Phil's first instrument. He started
playing it at age three. By the time he was nine years old, the
other kids in his neighbourhood were asking him to teach them drums.
Phil teaches every single style of drumming, from the softest
classical, to the heaviest hard-hitting speed thing that you can
imagine. Reading, soloing, improvising, writing, and playing by ear
are covered.
 Voice: Phil teaches a wonderful, emotive form of singing called Bel
Canto that mixes art and science. Bel canto singing
characteristically focuses on perfect evenness throughout the voice,
skillful legato, a light upper register, tremendous agility and
flexibility, and a certain lyric, "sweet" timbre. Phil teaches in
all genres of singing and voice use such as classical, soul,
country, rock, pop, jazz, screemo, rap, beat boxing etc. Learn to
project the voice, in tune, with tons of feel and a warm and unique
tone. Study to become a professional singer or just an awesome
shower singer. The choice is yours.
 violin: Phil has been teaching the violin for approximately five
years now. It is his newest instrument in terms of what he teaches
and the two major areas of study are either classical or
improvisation. Phil will generally take a beginner for the first
three years of their playing where he will teach the notes and
bowing techniques, timing, and intonation, and some repertoire, and
then he refers them on to another teacher that specializes in the
period of three to five years. He does not teach old time country
fiddling. This is not his area of strength. After a violinist has
been studying for five to seven years, and has a sufficient level of
skill and note knowledge, Phil will take that student on and teach
the art of improvisation, and how to fit in with a band as a
soloist.
Other major areas of study are music theory, ear training,
arranging, and song writing. Special 10 week courses on speed
development and improvisation are offered for the more experienced
musicians that need to break out ruts or tweak their playing. Some
students take lessons once or twice a week, some take lessons once
per month. There is no set path. Each student is unique. For that
reason Phil is always ready to discuss your individual learning
needs and objectives. |
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