Antonio Massa Viana • Guitarist

 Private Lessons

Whether you want to learn the instrument or advance in your current playing, I’m ready to help. I teach private lessons at my studio, at 781 Washington St, Holliston, MA, and also at the student's homes in the towns of Millis, Holliston and Norfolk. Please check the tuition page for rates and to sign up for lessons.

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Making it fun!

Music lessons should be fun and I always keep an open mind about the student’s interest, tailoring my lessons individually. Sometimes a student has a professional goal in mind, other times, they just want to be able to strum the guitar and entertain family and friends. At the lesson, I believe it is fundamental for students to learn to read music, as well as alternate notations like tablature and chord charts, and I’m very adamant about practicing time. Daily practice is important for the student’s development and I expect my students to come to their lessons prepared and ready to learn new material. As a teacher, I’m committed to bringing my enthusiasm and love of music to every lesson, always encouraging the student to succeed.

Is my child ready?

Parents often ask which age is appropriate to start a child on the guitar. Although I have successfully taught 5-year olds before, most kids at that age don’t have the necessary coordination and strength to study the guitar. Usually 8 is a good starting age. That said, each child is very unique and develops in different ways. If a parent is unsure whether the child is ready or not, I’ll be happy to meet with the both. Please contact me.

What guitar should my young child begin with?

I favor a nylon-stringed classical to an acoustic (steel strings) guitar for two reasons: nylons are easier on the tip of the fingers, minimizing discomfort before those first calluses show up, and the steel acoustic guitars usually have larger bodies, which makes them less comfortable. Depending on the age of the child, it may also be appropriate for a kid to start with a 3/4 sized guitar. That said, don’t go out and buy another guitar if you already have one. A guitar can always be stringed with low-tension strings - you loose somewhat on sound quality, but that does not affect the learning process. Also, a capotasto — a device used to shorten the length of the strings — can be used to postpone the use of larger frets.

Do you also teach adults? 

Students of any age and skills are welcome. I have experience and enjoy teaching all ages.

Do you teach Guitar Hero songs?

I’ve been getting this one a lot lately and I am quite happy about the way this videogame has been encouraging so many children to learn a musical instrument. I’ve recently acquired a songbook with songs from both games I and II to make some of my advanced students happy. The process to teach the Guitar Hero songs is the same as with any other songs. As long as the skills are there, I am happy to go over the music. I’m always trying to plan student’s requests into my lessons as it tends to foster more dedication and interest, but I will always emphasize material that needs to be learned in order to advance in the instrument.

I want to learn electric guitar. Do you teach electric?

The classical and electric guitars are virtually the same instrument. There are, however, techniques that apply differently to each individual instrument and musical style. Overall, the initial learning process is still the same: scales, note and chord positioning, instrument mechanics and theory. You can make a similar comparison between an electric keyboard and a piano. I do believe, however, that it is much easier to make the transition from the acoustic instrument to the electric since the first has a thicker arm, larger frets and higher string tension.

Do you use a particular Method?

Over the years, I’ve been exposed to many different teaching methods from other teachers and from books I’ve read. Based on that and in my own experience teaching privately, I will apply a different method to different students. I also use a compiled a book with excerpts from different authors during lessons. And because each student is different, I complement the methods with additional material as needed.

For policies information, please click on the logo below to be redirected to Metrowest Music.

Metrowest Music Studio

 

Why Music Lessons?

Below is a list of a few reasons to introduce your child to music. For mmore information, please read the National Association for Music Education benefits of music brochure.

Music Lessons at Music Lessons Teachers.

 

Located in Millis, MA, Guitar Classes, Guitar, Weddings, Music, Wedding, Bossa Nova, Lessons, Viana, Metrowest, Ashland, Holliston,
Natick, Framingham, Dover, Newton, Wellesley, Medway, Medford, Norfolk, 01721, 02054, Classical Guitar