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MARK MICHAELS
Specialties Rock, blues, rockabilly, swing, folk, fingerstyle, songwriting
Teaching Philosophy/Methodology My value as an instructor comes from my own flexibility and encyclopedic knowledge of songs and guitar styles. I recognize that since the guitar is a very situational instrument, teaching it must address how the student wants to use the guitar—to accompany themselves singing, to play with others, to solo along with records, to play chord melodies, to learn how to read and write music, etc. First I talk with the student to see where his or her interest lies, and then we devise a course of study. Foremost, the lessons must be FUN. |
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Education What did it for me was listening to "All Shook Up" by Elvis and later Lonny Mack's "Memphis." Those really knocked me out and led me to guitar. I started out with Mel Bay 1 on a $25 Stella, and then learned how to pick out changes by taping the top 40 every night as a kid and learning them all. That was songs by the Beatles, Roy Orbison, the Kinks and the like. So when I had to actually "fake" a gig for pay when I was in my 20's, I was able to do it by listening hard on the spot—and by being friends with the piano player. By the time I had to do clubdates—weddings and bar mitzvahs—for a real living, after graduating from Queens College, I had a huge repertoire of songs, which I continue to add to daily. (My first gig was at Our Lady of Lourdes church in Queens Village; I sang "If I Fell"). Later on, I studied with Barry Galbraith and some very well-known New York recording and Broadway musicians.
Teaching Experience Started teaching neighborhood kids in Queens while in high school. Went on to teach at the National Guitar Summer Workshop, and has been teaching at AIG for 17 years.
Also published several instructional books: The Billboard Book of Rock Arranging, Rock Riffs for Guitar, Blues Riffs for Guitar, Heavy Metal Riffs for Guitar, Rockabilly Riffs for Guitar, New Wave Riffs for Guitar, Original Jeff Beck, Teach Yourself Rhythm Guitar, and Rock Picture Chords. Producer of videos Teach Yourself Lead Guitar and Teach Yourself Rock Bass.
Performances/Recordings Producer/composer of #12 hit dance single "Umbrella Man," backed up Freddie King, Madonna, Lou Christie, The Shangri-Las and others, recorded and performed with "Fast Food," the "Mod Frames," and others, played guitar on hundreds of songwriter and music publisher demos.
Check out some samples of Mark's work: sample1 sample2 sample3
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