+ Do you teach beginners? / Can anyone take lessons with you?
Most of my students are intermediate-advanced adults interested in writing music, music theory, jazz guitar or improvisation. However, I’m open to working with anyone serious about practicing and understanding music. That being said, it’s important to realize that my lessons involve reading music (not tablature), scale studies, theory, etc. The trial lesson allows us to meet in person to determine if these lessons make sense for you.
Please find more info about reading or theory in the answers below.
Do you teach beginners?
That depends on the person. Most adult beginners are not interested in studying the guitar beyond that of strumming simple songs - and that’s totally understandable! But, I am not the right choice for that unfortunately. I do however work with some beginners whose interests include other aspects of music.
Also, regardless of interests, I can’t accept beginners with a severe lack of rhythm and/or pitch recognition (tone deafness/amusia).
+ Is reading music part of your lessons?
Yes. Although not a major part, reading and writing at least basic music notation (not tablature) is an important aspect of my teaching. I sincerely don't want to waste anyone's time or money; so it’s important to note that I do not work with students who are opposed to reading music. If reading music concerns you, please read through the answers below.
What’s the difference between notation and tablature?
Please view HERE
How much of the lesson involves reading music?
Most students spend only about 5-10 minutes of the hour reading and writing, others want to spend more.
How do you teach reading?
I mainly teach my students how to write down their own ideas. I don’t work from a book or any particular method.
Why do you teach reading and writing?
- Reading is part of the formal study of guitar and it has been for over 300 years.
- As with any language, the ability to read and write, on at least a basic level, is an immeasurably useful skill.
- As a music teacher, I simply can't condone musical illiteracy and I won’t contribute to the lack of music education in our culture.
Similar Questions:
Do we have to learn note names on the guitar? Yes.
Do we have to learn scales? Yes.
Do you use tablature? No.
+ Can I take in-person lessons? / Can I take online lessons?
Can I take in-person lessons?
Yes!
Of course, if you are sick, do not come to the studio. Otherwise, in person is great.
Do you offer online lessons?
Yes, I offer lessons via zoom.
I do online lessons mainly for normal reasons again; such as for students who do not live in a commutable distance, are traveling, or are sick. If you live in NYC, it’s in your best interest to do lessons in person.
What are online lessons like?
Well, they are not quite the same as in-person lessons, but there is still a lot that can be accomplished. However, due to certain limitations of virtual lessons, I only offer regular online lessons to intermediate-advanced students. By “regular,” I mean someone who does not live in a commutable distance (occasional online lessons for local students at any level is fine).
+ What are improvisation or blues and jazz guitar lessons like?
Truthfully, the word “Jazz” is not helpful because it means such different things to different people. While traditional jazz guitar lessons focus on standards and improvisation over "changes,” there’s no need to follow this or any set path. For instance, composers and songwriters may be interested in jazz theory and harmony but not in improvisation. Whatever it is you’re trying to get out of it, we’ll work on it together.
What are "changes" and "standards"?
"Changes" are anything that requires a musician to adapt accordingly while improvising. The most common changes are changes of key. “Jazz standards” are songs that work as shared repertoire among musicians. Jazz musicians study the changes and develop improvisation strategies. Blues is often the introduction to playing over changes and can work as a good meeting ground for people of different skills and backgrounds.
What is studying improvisation like?
Broadly speaking, studying improvisation usually involves emphases on three areas.
- Music Theory: how do chords, scales, melody and rhythms work with each other?
- Technique: It takes a lot of technical practice to spontaneously access this knowledge.
- Musicality: Theory and technique are important, but are not enough - consideration of things like tone, dynamics, style and melodic development are a major focus.
Unfortunately, these aren’t questions that can be properly addressed in a FAQ section, but hopefully this provides some insight. The trial lesson will allow us to go into further detail.
In addition to private lessons, I also offer this Group Workshop on advanced improvisation, composition and theorectical concepts.
+ What are composition or songwriting lessons like?
Beginner often need to clear up misconceptions they have about writing music. Experienced writers may feel stuck in their guitar technique or want to learn arranging and other composition techniques. Whatever it may be, we'll work on it together. Basic lessons in software such as Sibelius, Ableton, logic Pro, or Garageband can be very useful but are in no way required. In addition to private lessons, I also offer this Group Workshop on advanced improvisation, composition and theorectical concepts.
What is the difference between composition and songwriting?
The only difference is what the words tend to be associated with. For instance:
- Composition is usually associated with notated music and music that involves significant harmonic considerations in the writing process (meaning theory, harmony and arranging). These qualities are heavily associated with Classical music, and most Jazz music. Obvious examples would be Beethoven or Duke Ellington.
- Songwriting tends to be associated with non-notated music and music that involves great lyrical and stylistic considerations in the writing process. These qualities are heavily associated with singer-songwriter music and most Rock music. Obvious examples would be Joni Mitchel or Bruce Springsteen.
There are many styles and artists that fit into both of these descriptions. There's no need to completely identify with one or the other. In the long run, composition and songwriting are about the same thing, the creation of new music.
What are software lessons like?
I don’t claim to be an expert in this area, but I can offer help. Sometimes people need help getting started or need a better understanding of the application of software in their writing. I work and teach with: Sibelius, Ableton Live, Logic Pro and Garageband.
+ What is Music Theory?
Much of what people consider music theory is more accurately called "rudiments.” Rudiments however, are not theoretical - It could be compared to architecture: How was a building built? What materials were used? There are definitive answers to those questions that are not just “theories.”
This type of rudimentary music theory is the study of verifiable patterns in common musical structures which provide explanations of how certain aspects of music work. Understanding these things gives musicians a sense of grounding, an appreciation for more music, and the ability to learn and write music much faster.
Some people may eventually want to study advanced music theory or to explore the possibilities of certain patterns. This is when things become more “theory” oriented. This type of music theory eventually gives a musician the freedom to develop theory of their own and to assess the theory of others.
In addition to private lessons, I also offer this Group Workshop on advanced improvisation, composition and theorectical concepts.
Do we have to learn music theory?
No.
Well... If you consider theory to be rudimentary things like reading music, song structure, scales, the names of the notes on the fret board and other basic guitar theory, then yes. Actual music theory tends to be most relevant to people interested in improvising, songwriting and composition. But however deep or shallow someone wants to dive into theory is perfectly fine with me.
What is guitar theory?
In short, just like music theory is the study of patterns, guitar theory is too - however guitar theory is specifically the study of these patterns on the fretboard. All instruments have their own theory and methods - some are more different than others - for instance, the guitar has dramatically different patterns than that of the piano.
+ What is your background? / What style of music do you play and listen to?
What is your background?
Career:
I'm an active NYC based guitarist, composer and music educator. Find more info at www.ColinCannon.com
Education:
Bachelor of Music: Guitar Performance
Berklee College of Music - Boston, MA
Master of Music: Music Composition
Hunter College Music Department - New York, NY
Undergrad Studies: Jazz Guitar
Eastman School of Music - Rochester, NY
What style of music do you play and listen to?
- My original music incorporates different genres including modern jazz, classical, progressive rock, electronic, and avant-garde music
Listen/Watch HERE or on spotify, apple music and all online music stores and streaming services
- I also work professionally as a freelance guitarist and am hired for things like studio sessions and to accompany various artists. For this I play whatever is needed. Usually that means "strait ahead jazz," rock/pop, Fusion, or singer-songwriter/folk-ish music.
- When I'm teaching I work on and play whatever music the student is interested in.
What style of music do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of music... Some of my well-known favorites are: Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter (jazz); Kurt Rosenwinkel and Brad Mehldau (modern jazz); Stravinski and Ravel (Classical); Philip Glass and Nico Muhly (Contemporary Classical); Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell (folk/Singer-Songwriter); Margaret Glaspy and Elliot Smith (modern folk/Singer-Songwriter); Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix (Classic Rock); Radiohead and Black Midi(Modern Rock-ish); B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan (Blues); Hundred Waters and Aphex Twin (Electronic); Kendrick Lamaer (hip-hop); Johnny Cash (Country-ish); Ravi Shankar(Eastern/Indian); Chris Thile (Bluegrass-ish) and on and on... Other artists I've been listening to in the last few years who are more obscure or harder to categorize are The Books, Joanna Newsome, Caroline Shaw, Sufjan Stevens, Makeunder and many more. I'm also involved with many local musicians in NYC whom I listen to just as much as anyone else. If you don't recognize any of these names, it really should not concern you, we don't need to listen to the same music.
+ Where do lessons take place? / What are the days & hours I can take lessons? / How often do I take lessons?
Where do lessons take place?
My studio is at 160 Norman Ave. in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
What are the days/hours I can take lessons?
I hold lessons 3 days per week. Each day has 8 one-hour slots and 2 half-hour slots, making a total of 30 weekly slots.
The weekly schedule is Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 12PM to 10PM. I take time off during the major holidays you would expect, otherwise as much notice as possible will be given in regard scheduling conflicts.
How often do I take lessons?
Most students take lessons every week and every week is recommended. But occasionally a student might want to take lessons every other week, twice per week or only every few weeks- Two important policies in regard to this are below:
- I can only reserve a weekly day and time for students who come on a weekly basis (for example: every Tuesday at 6PM) - However, it is still totally possible to take lessons less than once per week but it would be a on a "floating schedule," based only upon what happens to be available that week.
- Package/discounted lessons are only offered to students who come on a regular basses, meaning once per week with a set day and time (for example: every Tuesday at 6PM).
Due to lack of space, it’s common for new students to began on a floating schedule until a weekly time becomes available. Contact for current openings.
Can you come to my home?
No, unfortunately.
Do you give online lessons?
Yes, I do. Please read the top question "can I take online lessons?"
+ What is your cancellation policy?
Unless it’s due to being sick or a genuine emergency, if you don’t show up or if you cancel in under 48 hours of your lesson, your lesson will be “counted,” meaning you'll need to make a full payment.
Regardless of the first policy, If you reserve a weekly time but cancel half or more of your lessons I will likely need to move you to a floating schedule.
+ Can I borrow a guitar during lessons? / Do I need to own a guitar? / Do you teach both acoustic and electric guitar?
Can I borrow a guitar during lessons?
Yes, there will always be both an acoustic and electric guitar to borrow during lessons. Keep in mind some people find it easier playing on their own guitars, but you're always more than welcome to borrow one for lessons.
Do I need to own my own guitar?
YES. Practicing what is discussed in lessons is 90% of learning any instrument. If you want to try out one lesson before buying a guitar that's perfectly fine, but after that lesson you absolutely must own your own guitar. I'd be happy to recommend guitar brands in your price range at your first lesson.
Do you teach both acoustic and electric guitar?
Yes.
Does it matter whether I use an electric or acoustic guitar?
No it does not, use whichever you prefer.
+ Do you teach adults? / Do you teach kids?
Do you teach adults?
Yes. 90% of my students are adults.
Do you teach kids?
I teach some kids, but no younger than 10 and I only offer half hour lessons to pre-teens.
When considering private lessons for your child, it's important to realize they will need at least 20 minutes per day/5 days per week to practice. Also, please understand that I don’t have the same job or skill sets of a school teacher - for this reason, I only continue working with kids who seem to enjoy their lessons.
Will you teach my 4, 5, 6 or 7 year old?
No unfortunately. For children that young you should find some sort of specialist music teacher, a teacher who advertises working with young children, or go to one of the many "music for babies" style classes in NYC.
May I come to the lessons with my child?
Of course.
+ How much do I need to practice?
You'll need to practice a minimum of about 20 minutes per day 4-5 days per week in order to see any sort of progress. Professional musicians practice for many hours per day. You may not have that time or that goal, but in short, the more you practice the better you become.
+ Can I buy lessons for a friend or family member as a gift?
Yes, but there are a few rules and things to keep in mind listed below...
- The student must own a guitar of their own to practice on at home.
- The lesson must take place in no more than one month after the purchase.
- Payments are non refundable
- Weekly lessons are not offered as an initial gift (read more on this below)
I can only offer a trial lesson as your initial gift...
I'm fully booked most weeks - so I cannot promise a weekly time without having arranged scheduling with the student. At the trial lesson the student and I will see if our mutual availability makes it possible to do weekly lessons, or if we should do "floating lessons." We alo need a trial lesson to determine if it's a good fit.
So if you're interested in gift lessons, just Contact Me Here and we'll try to work out the details.
+ How much do lessons cost? / Do you accept credit cards?
How much do lessons cost?
Please check the "prices" page of this website.
Do you accept credit/debit cards?
Yes, but please remember there's a 5% fee added to cover transaction fees. To avoid this fee, just bring cash.
Do you accept Venmo?
No unfortunately.
Do you offer a "trial lesson"?
Yes, the first lesson is only $30 so that we can see if it's a good fit before paying full cost.
+ Do you give group lessons (2 or more people)?
Yes, but in general I don't recommend it. Because such personal attention is needed when studying any instrument and the speed of progress varies greatly from person to person, one on one lessons are typically best (and you should be cautious of any other teachers or schools who tell you otherwise). However, if the students are more advanced it may not be as much of an issue. Either way, if requested, yes I do give group lessons.
Prices for group lessons are $7.50 less for each student compared to a private lesson.