Andrew Links 52 Pioneer St., Rochester NY, 14619
Instruments:Audio Recording, Composition, Ear Training, Electric Bass, Electronic, Film Scoring, Guitar, Music Business, Organ, Other, Piano, Recording, Theory
Styles:Classical, Jazz, Folk – Country – Bluegrass, Rock – Alternative, Blues, Kids, World, Electronic, Other
Levels:Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Experience:5 years
Rate:$100 / hr
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Personal Statement
Lessons with Andrew are founded upon classical piano technique, driven by pedagogical pieces assigned to challenge each student’s ability to apply the techniques learned within various musical contexts, while supporting each individual student’s interest in a particular genre. Although a classical piano foundation is critical in Andrew’s lesson plans, the use of synthesizers, organs, clavinets, wurlitzers, rhodes, and various other electric pianos is highly encouraged (instruments utilized by Ray Charles, Jan Hammer of The Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Stevie Wonder among others).
Students (including beginner students) will be pushed to improve through both difficult repertoire, as well as a focus on live performance–the perspective of the practice room grind through a gigging musician lens. In light of each student’s musical interests, Andrew lets the student decide some of the repertoire and courses of certain lessons, as he is a believer that people will not study anything they have no interest in. Instilling the passion and hunger for knowledge is of the utmost importance. Students interested in the study of synthesizer will transcribe guitar solos from artists such as Queen, Pink Floyd, Oz Noy, Wilco, etc. in order to master the use of techniques such as pitch bend and vibrato within particular idioms. For those interested in pop/modern piano playing, songwriting and composition is also highly encouraged, as Andrew’s students will not only be learning the formulaic structures of pop music but also be learning how to decipher them quickly using ear-training and theoryeventually applying the structures to their own music.