AN HOUR AND A HALF LESSON plus advance introductory / planning emails
Mr. Grassel helps all students with entry to professional level skill. He can evaluate your playing, your approach to the instrument, your practice routine and anything else you need help with. Move forward. Achieve your goals and solve chronic musical problems.
CHORDS
Melody harmonization / chord soloing / reading chord charts / understanding comtemporary jazz theory through alterations and extensions
SOLOING
Creating a jazz solo from a compositional viewpoint in bebop, smooth, and avant garde styles / Improvisation techniques / developing a motif / The theory of Harmelodics and polytonality / 12 tone "scale free" improvisation
TECHNIQUE
Guitar technique improvement / Horizontal and vertical movement on the guitar neck / 12 keys in one position / 1 key in twelve positions / Soloing with octaves / Arpeggio and melody guitar harmonics / Playing effectively in an ensemble or big band / Treatment and prevention of guitar induced hand, wrist, neck, back pain and problems
COMPING
Accompanying instrumental soloists / Altered chords / polytonal chords / chord substitution
PRACTICING
The four methods of efficient practicing / Combo rehearsal systems / Jazz ear training directly related to "on the job" performance / Music transcribing techniques: melodies and chord progressions / Creating the perfect practice area
EQUIPMENT
Guitar setup, maintenance and adjustment / Chosing the best guitar for your music and technique / Creating your own best sound / amplifier adjustment and placement / Chosing the right amp: closed or open-back amp, speaker size, tube or solid state, brands
PLAYING SOLO, DUO, TRIO, QUARTET or BIG BAND
Playing walking bass lines and chords simultaneously / The art of accompanying a vocalist in a guitar and voice duo / Walking bass lines and improvising a melody simultaneously
BUSINESS
Career promotion / understanding "the music business" so it works for you. You can ask for advice from a guitarist who’s been a full-time pro musician all his life
It’s easy:
1. To purchase a lesson with a Visa / Mastercard for $100, click "add to cart" at bottom of this page.
2. Email Jack at jackgrassel@jackgrassel.com with a few choices of days and times that you are available. A convenient appointment will be decided upon together. You will receive our skype address at that time. (I live in the U.S. in the Central Standard Time Zone)
3. Skype me at your scheduled lesson time. The first lesson will be about 2 hours to allow time to adjust the equipment for the best audio / visual connection, and get acquainted.
I travel anywhere in the world (in person) to teach and play music at high schools and colleges.