Patrick W. TakeLessons Instructor Music, Classical Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Music Theory Murfreesboro, TN

Hello and let me take this opportunity to thank you for taking time to stop by and check out my profile!  I also want to encourage you regarding the decision to study music-it is truly a rewarding experience with endless possibilities.  I certainly hope the following information answers any questions you have about me, but if you have any other queries please feel free to call or email me.

I believe in the importance of finding one’s purpose as well as recognizing the obligation that’s implicit with this discovery.  I count myself very fortunate to have found meaning in both music and teaching and even more privileged to observe that the best way to teach and inspire is to be a student oneself.  I love to teach-I love seeing my passion for music mirrored in my students.  It is this outlook that serves as my model for guiding and mentoring students down this journey in life.

I view a student’s well-being and progress not only as my job, but also as the obligation referred to above.  It is always my goal to establish a positive learning environment, and by so doing express the importance of disciplined practice while always making it fun!  As is stated above, I see myself as a student of music and always will.  I am constantly delving into musical literature, whether its history, theory, or psychology of music.  This always enables me to bring new things to the table when teaching and helps in making practical applications towards whatever music my students want to study.      

An accomplished musician, I’ve been playing both bass and guitar since he the age of fifteen.  Soon after picking up these instruments, I fell in love with classical music and decided to make my life’s work the exciting task of making good music founded in knowledge and understanding of music theory.  It is this outlook on music that has enabled me to develop into an award winning, multi-faceted artist.  A songwriter, composer, teacher, and performer, I received a music scholarship to study classical guitar with William Yelverton with no prior education on the instrument.  During the course of my studies, I was selected to study with professors and performers of international acclaim, such as faculty from the Julliard School, Peabody Conservatory, and Cleveland Institute of Music.  My classical background has aided me in other styles of music, ranging from metal to easy listening.  I currently play bass with Sony Artist/Writer Brandon Pruitt (Country artist) and guitar for BMI Artist Ben Sturgell (Jazz/Pop artist) in addition to gigging frequently as a wedding musician.  I serve as the Director of Marketing for the International Guitar Institute-a foundation for furthering classical guitar music all over the world.  I hold a B.S. in Music Business and a B.M. in Guitar Performance. 

My goal is always to teach the reasons why music works.

-Why do the chords to this song sound good together? 

-Why does the melody line that the vocalist is singing work?

-What technique is the guitarist doing during that last solo?

The most effective way to accomplish this is to use the songs that students want to learn as a platform for understanding music.  Good lessons are much more than just learning songs-I ensure that my students are able to understand how songs are notated in tablature and chord charts within the first month of lessons.  Good lessons are about appreciating what is going on within the music.  To achieve this, I supplement individually orchestrated lessons with various studies and assignments.  For example, if a student wants to study blues lead guitar, we might complement the techniques with classical technical studies to improve facility in the blues style.  If a student desires to study compositional aspects, we might look at Rimsky-Korsakov’s texts on orchestration or Joe Pass’s writings on chord structure.  If a student wants to look at singing/songwriting, we would study sight-singing, poetry and song structure.  It’s my desire to take students where they want to go with music-I love all kinds of good music and am constantly expanding my knowledge in various genres. 

Mel Bay and Alfred are the standards I use for beginners. Extensive classical training including sight reading and theory/composition. Played in rock bands and jazz combos. Now gigging in Nashville playing both bass and guitar with country and pop acts, as well as classical guitar for weddings and dinner parties.

Middle Tennessee State University - Music Performance: Classical Guitar - 2006-2008
Middle Tennessee State University - Music Business - 2001-2006
Huntsville High - High School Diploma - 1998-2001

Music, Classical Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Music Theory