Antonio Massa Viana • Guitarist
Private Lessons
Whether
you want to learn the instrument or advance in your current playing,
I’ll be glad to help. I teach private lessons at my home in
You may need to download Adobe Reader to view some files.
Making it fun!
Music lessons should be fun and I always keep an open mind about the student’s interest, tailoring my lessons individually to each one. 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 think 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 to 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 minimize 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 other 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 on my
own experience teaching privately, I compiled a book with excerpts from
different authors as well as myself and I primordially use that during
lessons. I complement the book with additional material as needed,
depending on the student.
Please read my Teaching Policies.
Why Music Lessons?
Below is a list of a few reasons to introduce your child to music. These excerpts where taken from a article that be viewed at its integrity at the National Association for Music Education website.
- Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study shows that music participants receive more academic honors and awards than non-music students;
- Physician and biologist Lewis Thomas studied the undergraduate majors of medical school applicants. He found that 66% of music majors who applied to medical school were admitted, the highest percentage of any group; in comparison, 44% of biochemistry majors were admitted;
- Students who participate in arts programs in elementary and middle schools show significant increase in self-esteem and thinking skills. Compared to non-musicians, the brains of pianists are more efficient at making skilled movements;
- Studies show that musical training can enhance brain function. Music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science.
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