Teaching Philosophy: Guitar, Respect, Learning

Student-Centered Learning

At the core of my philosophy is a student-centered approach. Each student is unique, with their own learning style, pace of material acquisition, abilities, musical preferences, motivation, and goals. I adapt my lessons to each individual student, ensuring that the learning experience matches their ambitions and sustains their interests.

However, over the years of teaching guitar, I have developed my own rules. If a student lacks essential musical aspects, they should undergo a fundamental guitar playing course that provides an understanding of how music works and mastery of basic technical guitar playing skills. After obtaining information that adds confidence, we will embark on a journey along the path chosen by the student independently.

Strong Foundation

I firmly believe that a strong knowledge foundation is an essential element not only for musical growth but also for personal development as a whole. I guide my students by demonstrating fundamental guitar playing techniques, theory, and practical skills, and introducing them to composers from classical eras.

These seemingly simple initial knowledge blocks are what allow us to have a clear understanding of the musical world. This opens up the opportunity to explore new styles, experiment, and ultimately find our own musical path.

Active Learning and Practice

It's important to understand that learning guitar, like any instrument or activity, requires dedication and practice. I emphasize the importance of active learning and lesson planning, where students delve into the material, ask questions, and seek solutions. Regular practice, combined with the guidance of an experienced teacher, is the key to success in learning a musical instrument.

Continuous Learning

Many people, when coming to a guitar lesson, think they will leave the classroom and instantly play. We can compare this effect to a person going to a grocery store, paying money, and receiving a product. Learning is somewhat different. Learning is a journey, not a destination. I often explain to my students that they must always be eager and passionate about continuous growth. To achieve this, it's crucial to set goals and motivate oneself with simple things. It could be meditation, observing the steam from freshly brewed tea, or watching a sunset. We must realize that learning sets humans apart from animals; it's human nature and creates the world we live in.

I continually strive to learn and develop as a guitarist. I urge you to embrace music as a constant activity, always seeking new challenges and horizons.

Open Communication and Feedback

Open communication between teacher and student is vital to the learning process. It's essential to create an atmosphere where every student feels comfortable and open to ask questions of any type, as the teacher often plays the role of motivator, psychologist, or simply a friend. Students should express their concerns calmly in their hearts to achieve their goals. Constructive feedback guides a person towards improvement, supporting their confidence and motivation.

Joy from Music

My personal passion for music fills my life. I strongly desire for every person playing any musical instrument to feel a sense of fulfillment and joy from music. Sometimes, this isn't easy, as busy adults tend to forget that joy comes when we understand and see simple things. The music itself helps us realize this because we will never play complex musical pieces without having learned to play simple compositions.

My goal is to ignite a spark in my students, contributing to their love for music and helping them experience the joy of playing.