Guitar Lessons

Guitar for Beginners

Skills taught:

  • Simultaneous left hand and right hand competence
  • How to read chord charts
  • How to read tablature
  • Various strum styles
  • Playing by “ear” (for those interested)

We love to work with singer/songwriters!  We can offer assistance with song arrangements, vocal harmony arrangements, finding the best key for your voice, and help to polish up a “rough draft.”

Experienced Legal Counsel is available for music copyrights, media, and entertainment needs.

Guitar Lessons

All lessons are private one-on-one lessons structured to address the learning rate and personal challenges of the individual student.

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Lisa Lorenzo holds a music degree from Florida State University (classical voice principle) and has been singing professionally, teaching voice, and arranging vocal harmonies since 1990. During her extensive music career she has also studied and played guitar, piano, violin and bass guitar. Vocal performance styles include jazz, blues, country, pop, gospel, show, and rock.

Awards include the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award (Downhome Jazz Festival 2007) and Ocala Magazine’s “Best Rock Band” 2008 while lead vocalist for “Landslide” as they competed at the Pace Center for Girls annual Battle of the Bands charity event. Lisa has sung on the main stage and in show bands (Dreamscape) for Royal Caribbean International cruise lines, opened for Charlie Daniels (“Patriot Blues Band”-Silver Springs, FL) and Bill Cosby (“Dreamscape”) and toured throughout the United States. Her resume also includes writing, recording, and voice-overs for advertising jingles produced by WOW 104.3 Dunnellon, FL, and vocal recordings for “Bright Start Music: A Developmental Program for Music Therapists, Parents, and Teachers of Young Children” by Darcy Walworth, PhD. She continues to perform for special events in the Tallahassee/Big Bend area and sings daily in her music therapy practice.

Lisa Lorenzo combines the sensitivity of a music therapist (MT-BC, NICU MT) with the seasoned experience of a veteran singer, musician and teacher. Her thorough knowledge of the voice will help vocal students of any level improve, protect, and preserve their own voice, while her instrumental students will benefit from her real-life musical experience in an encouraging and positive environment.

FAQ

Where are lessons held?

Lessons are conducted in our studio, online, or in your home (travel fees may apply). The “virtual lesson” is growing in popularity and is seen as a viable method of teaching in the digital age. The Music Teachers National Association endorses web-based music lessons in a most informative article in the New York Times.

How many lessons does it take to become proficient?

That all depends on your skill level when you begin and what your goals as a singer or musician are. Everyone is different and there is no “prescription” for success. Of course, the more practice time you are able to devote to the new skills you are learning the faster you will progress toward your goals.

Who chooses the lesson repertoire (songs)?

Each student comes into the studio with some idea of what they would like to accomplish with their voice or musical instrument. Our motto is, “Your goals are our goals!” Your lesson curriculum is designed with your musical preferences and goals in mind. You should not be singing or playing music that you don’t enjoy, so we work together to choose repertoire songs that the student “connects with” while still offering sufficient challenge for growth.

How frequently are lessons scheduled?

We find that the best schedule for rapid advancement is one 30-60 minute lesson per week. While we do insist on having a regularly scheduled day and time for your lessons, any budget and scheduling limitations will be taken into consideration during your initial meeting with the instructor. We do our best to accommodate all students wishing to learn music!

What is a Guitar for beginners lesson like?

We will begin with basic finger patterns and exercises while learning various strums and how to read chord charts. You will quickly be playing with accompaniment. Expect to have a hands-on experience during the first lesson! You will need to purchase or rent a guitar for your lessons.

What is a Music Theory & Ear Training lesson like?

Perhaps you know a little music theory and need to “fill in the gaps,” or are a proficient musician with no formal training or understanding of the structure of music. Whatever your level, we will use instructional books, a piano keyboard, and a bit of staff paper to help you understand rhythm, pitch, harmony, and structure -the fundamental elements of music!