Need a guitar teacher in Maryland

[Prody]

I'm looking for a guitar teacher in Maryland that can help me improve my playing.  I can't play lead guitar, mostly rhythum, but still want to learn fills and riffs to spice up my rhythum playing.  I can come to you or you can come here (PG county) for lessons. 

[spoon_21]

I went to Victor Lintz in Gaithersburg and my teacher was great. you pay maybe 120.00 a month, I know that kinda far, like 45 mins. they give lessons monday thru saturday. Not sure if Guitar Canter in Rockville give lessons

[Prody]

Yeah, I may have to check at one of the local guitar stores for weekend lessons.  Gaithersburg is a bit far to try to get to during the week, Rockville is a little closer. 

[Sonar]

Prody,

Where in Prince George's County are you located?

-- Sonar

[Fenix]

Prody,

Where in Prince George's County are you located?

-- Sonar

I'm in PG county too and am looking for a teacher. If you find one, please let me know. Gaithersburg is WAY too far for me.

[Sonar]

I'm in PG county too and am looking for a teacher. If you find one, please let me know. Gaithersburg is WAY too far for me.

Okay...I'll play..

Fenix,

Where in Prince George's County are YOU located?

(Actually, rather than drag this out, tell me what church and style you're playing currently too -- to make things interesting) 


For THAT matter...could everybody playing gospel guitar in Prince George's County, Maryland PLEASE...raise their hand?   

-- Sonar

[Fenix]

Okay...I'll play..

Fenix,

Where in Prince George's County are YOU located?

(Actually, rather than drag this out, tell me what church and style you're playing currently too -- to make things interesting) 


For THAT matter...could everybody playing gospel guitar in Prince George's County, Maryland PLEASE...raise their hand?   

-- Sonar

Hey man,

i am in Hyattsville. I play keyboard for Temple of Praise in Beltsville. Our music is almost always CCM stuff: M.W Smith, Chris Tomlin and Israel. We occasionally play some Hez Walker and D. McClurkin.

[Sonar]

Hey man,

i am in Hyattsville. I play keyboard for Temple of Praise in Beltsville. Our music is almost always CCM stuff: M.W Smith, Chris Tomlin and Israel. We occasionally play some Hez Walker and D. McClurkin.

I grew up in Hyattsville. Queens Chapel Rd. & East West Highway.   

So, if you play keyboards, what concept about guitar do you feel you're missing?

I should lend you my Roland keetar remote until this phase passes!    

[Fenix]

I grew up in Hyattsville. Queens Chapel Rd. & East West Highway.   

So, if you play keyboards, what concept about guitar do you feel you're missing?

I should lend you my Roland keetar remote until this phase passes!    

All concepts...

I just always wanted to play guitar. I always wanted to go into jazz guitar. As far as key-tars go, no thanks. Seen 'em, don't really think i like 'em.

[Prody]

I'm in District Heights, and attend First Baptist of District Heights.  We do alot of CCM stuff as well, not to mention good ol'  hymns.  You should have seen some of their faces when I started playing the guitar their, those hymns did sound like they use to.... .  I'm now working with a brotha on the bassg guitar, so it's him and I.  I would love to learn how to do more fills and runs to spice up my rhythum playing.

[Sonar]

I'm in District Heights, and attend First Baptist of District Heights.  We do alot of CCM stuff as well, not to mention good ol'  hymns.  You should have seen some of their faces when I started playing the guitar their, those hymns did sound like they use to.... .  I'm now working with a brotha on the bassg guitar, so it's him and I.  I would love to learn how to do more fills and runs to spice up my rhythum playing.

How many services on Sunday? It would be neat to come see you if it's before or after my services I play in Clinton (off Rt. 5 on Old Alexander Ferry Road). We run from 10:00 to 12:00 or so.

I've played at several of the churches around you.
We've visited "Upon This Rock Christian Fellowship" in Forestville and "The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square" in Capitol Heights that come immediately to mind.

I'm just sittin' near the computer working on about EIGHT Joe Pace songs for a revival this month.

[Sonar]

All concepts...

I just always wanted to play guitar. I always wanted to go into jazz guitar. As far as key-tars go, no thanks. Seen 'em, don't really think i like 'em.

Well, you sound pretty "full range" for your musical selections. I've seen several of the black gospel churches in the Landover area start experimenting with bringing more of the "white" gospel music and CCM into their mix (without a total rework or reinvention).

It was looked at rather skeptically by the church leadership at first because they had been sticking between old school hymns and going out past Israel & NB into Ty Tribbett but no further than Urban Contemporary material...but the experimentation ended there.

The new material worked out great. Leadership thought wrong...PRAISE music is PRAISE in ALL voices (and colors).


There was one funny incident that the new music caused.

There was a guitarist friend that was working up some of the new songs (I think the particular song was by Phillips, Craig & Dean or something like that). He called me and said that he was working his best jazz chords and experimenting...but he just wasn't grokin' the sound. He was getting frustrated and a bit confused.

He sent me am MP3 of the song and his rough chord chart he had worked up. The chord chart was full of wild jazz chords in flat keys. I knew SOMETHING was wrong because from what I've heard of them, I don't think Phillips, Craig OR Dean could play ANY these wack chords I was reading if you threatened their lives.

The minute I heard the song, I immediately knew what was wrong...

...so I called him back and asked if he owned a CAPO!

He said, "WHAT? Do mean one of those things beginners use to change keys?"

I had to smile.

Well, it was a valuable lesson to all about assumptions we make as guitar students and carry with us for years.

After he got a capo, he realized that the chords were so simple he called actually laughing. He now sounded EXACTLY like the original recording.

This Hillsong stuff and a LOT of CCM is filled with CAPO guitar and tricks. (I LOVE Lindsey Buckingham as a guitarist, so I've had many Shubb Capos forever).

[Fenix]

Well, you sound pretty "full range" for your musical selections. I've seen several of the black gospel churches in the Landover area start experimenting with bringing more of the "white" gospel music and CCM into their mix (without a total rework or reinvention).

Actually my church leans much more toward the CCM stuff. We BARELY play any gospel stuff. We especially play Hillsongs songs a lot, Philips, Craig and Dean, CHris Tomlin...all those guys. I want to get my church to start using guitar, we rely too much on the keyboard and bass.

[Sonar]

Actually my church leans much more toward the CCM stuff. We BARELY play any gospel stuff. We especially play Hillsongs songs a lot, Philips, Craig and Dean, CHris Tomlin...all those guys. I want to get my church to start using guitar, we rely too much on the keyboard and bass.

So, what instruments do you regularly have? I'm wondering if it's a situation of you deciding to play keyboards OR guitar and that's it.

Guitar teachers (like any teachers) come in all flavors. I'm wondering if you might not do better working with some videos or books and a mentor. I mean a bit of guitar guidance to keep you off the shoals and out of trouble rather than structured lessons for a start. Hillsongs puts out quite an impressive collection of tutorial guitar material to teach their songs.

I'd say go with the lessons...but you probably want to get right to the praise & gospel songs without the necessity of beginner rock & secular songs (DISCLAIMER: Nothing personally against Deep Purple or Lynyrd Skynyrd). 
I just haven't seen a lot of Christian guitar teachers covering praise songs directly as a focus.
Doing EVERYTHING is optimal, but reality sometimes calls for a tailored approach.

Do you have all your guitar gear? What ya got?

[Fenix]

So, what instruments do you regularly have? I'm wondering if it's a situation of you deciding to play keyboards OR guitar and that's it.

Guitar teachers (like any teachers) come in all flavors. I'm wondering if you might not do better working with some videos or books and a mentor. I mean a bit of guitar guidance to keep you off the shoals and out of trouble rather than structured lessons for a start. Hillsongs puts out quite an impressive collection of tutorial guitar material to teach their songs.

That right there is what i need...someone to just make sure i am on the right path and can recommend books and videos and all.

I have two books by Arnie Berle that are excellent in terms of theory and exercises.

Right now i got an Oscar Schmidt A/E guitar strung with Elixirs. I love those strings, very bright and they last a while. I also have this Kramer electric that a friend gave me but i don't play. That's pretty much it.

[spoon_21]

My wife church in the Gaithersburg area, That’s the church I attend. My church is off of Central Ave, I forgot what part of MD that is. But my uncle plays Quartet and I practice with him at my church when he has time on Saturdays

[jlynnb1]

I'd say go with the lessons...but you probably want to get right to the praise & gospel songs without the necessity of beginner rock & secular songs (DISCLAIMER: Nothing personally against Deep Purple or Lynyrd Skynyrd). 
I just haven't seen a lot of Christian guitar teachers covering praise songs directly as a focus.
Doing EVERYTHING is optimal, but reality sometimes calls for a tailored approach

[/quote]

yeah i agree.....with just one thing to add. it is a bit of a waste of time to go back and learn a lot of the stuff a teacher will try to teach you. you'll never really apply "a horse with no name" in church. BUT....all music from the past speaks to the present. just like if you want to lear n jazz someone will point you to Wes or Django or another jazz legend.....modern music points to what came before it. Most modern worship is obviously rock/power pop/brit rock based. Sure, you might not need to know how to play a U2 or Coldplay song....but by learning the style....you'll immediately see where 99% of modern worship guitar comes from. if you want to be thorough....taking the time to learn what music is inspiring the music you play now will only make you a more well-rounded musician, and will give a LOT more insight in to what you are playing now.

[Sonar]

yeah i agree.....with just one thing to add. it is a bit of a waste of time to go back and learn a lot of the stuff a teacher will try to teach you. you'll never really apply "a horse with no name" in church. BUT....all music from the past speaks to the present. just like if you want to learn jazz someone will point you to Wes or Django or another jazz legend.....modern music points to what came before it. Most modern worship is obviously rock/power pop/brit rock based. Sure, you might not need to know how to play a U2 or Coldplay song....but by learning the style....you'll immediately see where 99% of modern worship guitar comes from. if you want to be thorough....taking the time to learn what music is inspiring the music you play now will only make you a more well-rounded musician, and will give a LOT more insight in to what you are playing now.

It is a bit of a split decision in this area, I've learned.

The CCM guys certainly could use more of a grounding in rock music (especially alternative rock and bands with delay and effects tricks).

But the full-on Urban Contemporary Gospel guitar guys around here need old school soul/R&B chops (almost any rock guitar soloing will do in most cases in this stuff). I'm amazed at how many mainstream "guitar heros" have never been heard of by these very talented players. But, by the same token, I don't know many of the very popular R&B artists they're turning me on to.

How many of you guys could tell me off hand the WAY impressive guitarist for "Tony! Toni! Tone!" without Google, for example?   



Like last week when the praise leader said, "Hey, Jay, I'm lookin' for that kind of nylon guitar sound like India Arie"
To which I responded, "Aren't we at war with them?" 



Okay....kidding aside, I'm more of a country player with a true love of Danny Gatton/Les Paul by way of Charlie Christian. I do rock but I don't shread. It's a failing of mine that I plan to work on just because it's a gap in my knowledge. I also plan to work on more fingerpicking ala Doyle Dykes.

I'd hope a teacher could get these guys to a place of comfort & confidence with their instrument. I believe they'll figure out what they don't know (and might not necessarily need). At that point, it's a matter of personality and temperment to keep growing and absorbing other musical styles. Many never will go beyond what they actually "need" by choice and they can also be successful. Local bars are full of guitarists still parroting the 45 songs they learned in the late 80's for $150 a night. And if it makes them happy, so be it.   

[jlynnb1]

It is a bit of a split decision in this area, I've learned.

The CCM guys certainly could use more of a grounding in rock music (especially alternative rock and bands with delay and effects tricks).

But the full-on Urban Contemporary Gospel guitar guys around here need old school soul/R&B chops (almost any rock guitar soloing will do in most cases in this stuff). I'm amazed at how many mainstream "guitar heros" have never been heard of by these very talented players. But, by the same token, I don't know many of the very popular R&B artists they're turning me on to.

How many of you guys could tell me off hand the WAY impressive guitarist for "Tony! Toni! Tone!" without Google, for example?   



Like last week when the praise leader said, "Hey, Jay, I'm lookin' for that kind of nylon guitar sound like India Arie"
To which I responded, "Aren't we at war with them?" 



Okay....kidding aside, I'm more of a country player with a true love of Danny Gatton/Les Paul by way of Charlie Christian. I do rock but I don't shread. It's a failing of mine that I plan to work on just because it's a gap in my knowledge. I also plan to work on more fingerpicking ala Doyle Dykes.

I'd hope a teacher could get these guys to a place of comfort & confidence with their instrument. I believe they'll figure out what they don't know (and might not necessarily need). At that point, it's a matter of personality and temperment to keep growing and absorbing other musical styles. Many never will go beyond what they actually "need" by choice and they can also be successful. Local bars are full of guitarists still parroting the 45 songs they learned in the late 80's for $150 a night. And if it makes them happy, so be it.   

again i agree totally....i was referring to the U2/Coldplay thing mainly for the guys who had said they do a lot of CCM....becuase you MUST know the delay and effects tricks to play that type of music. I'd have lost my mind if i hadn't known the dotted eigth delay trick that is The Edge's signature. There just isn't a way to physically play some of that stuff without it (there are plenty of youtube videos that will attest to that, lol)

no doubt, whatever you are playing....find out the roots of it. whether it be ccm, gospel, urban, southern gospel, etc.

(and i love me some country guitar, ala Brad Paisley/Brent Mason/etc. Which points to Danny Gatton, Albert Lee, Scottie Moore, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed...the list goes one)

where would any country player be without Jerry Reed's influence....and most guys don't even know who he is.

[Rown]

The key to lessons.Is to find someone that can teach the type of music you will be playing.But,there is no-way,i would pay someone $120 a month.WOW.Is Prince giving these lessons?You want to spice things up.Check out this video.This stuff is really easy.It is not gospel.Check out his in between stuff.You can apply this to gospel.Now,it maybe too funky for you.But,this is easy and nice.I am  talking about his guitar playing,not the singing. I would put money in the BUCKET ;DBesides,I LOVE THE PERSON WHO MADE THIS SONG.
                     

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6HHdComrF14&feature=related