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If you're looking for some guidance on how and what to practice, but you can't spend a lot of time and/or money on traditional lessons where you meet on the same day and time each week, this video correspondence lesson program may be what you're looking for!
WHAT IS THIS AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Basically, you and I send videos back and forth to each other. I send you the material to work on, and after a week, you send over a video demonstrating how things are going.
This program is not as intense as the one on one Skype lessons I provide. The material provided through the video correspondence course is for those who need a little guidance, are disciplined, and really just want a little bit to work on each week.
One on one Skype students typically get three pieces of music to work on each week. Video correspondence people just get one. This is a lighter approach to lesson material for those who can't do full lessons, or just want a little guidance to take their playing to a higher level.
If you feel you need, or would prefer a more direct approach, and wish to have more material to work on each week, then the Skype lessons may be better for you. The same material provided in the Skype lessons is still the same with the Video Correspondence lessons.
This program is not as intense as the one on one Skype lessons I provide. The material provided through the video correspondence course is for those who need a little guidance, are disciplined, and really just want a little bit to work on each week.
One on one Skype students typically get three pieces of music to work on each week. Video correspondence people just get one. This is a lighter approach to lesson material for those who can't do full lessons, or just want a little guidance to take their playing to a higher level.
If you feel you need, or would prefer a more direct approach, and wish to have more material to work on each week, then the Skype lessons may be better for you. The same material provided in the Skype lessons is still the same with the Video Correspondence lessons.
CUSTOMIZED LESSONS TAILORED TO YOU
I've never had two students who learn the exact same way. Some people can learn things with very little effort, and some people need a lot of extra help in order to understand what's happening. This is why every person I work with always receives material I feel is best suited for them.
My goal with you is to always have you just slightly out of your comfort zone so you continue to grow each week. If you understand a particular technique or rhythm pattern really fast, then we will move more quickly through the material I have to offer. When we come across something that is proving to be difficult for you, then I will find a way to make things easier for you to understand. We'll spend as much time on the problem area as needed until it's no longer a problem!
My goal with you is to always have you just slightly out of your comfort zone so you continue to grow each week. If you understand a particular technique or rhythm pattern really fast, then we will move more quickly through the material I have to offer. When we come across something that is proving to be difficult for you, then I will find a way to make things easier for you to understand. We'll spend as much time on the problem area as needed until it's no longer a problem!
METAL AND ROCK GUITAR FOCUSED
Metal and rock music are what I was raised on. Some of the bands that greatly shaped me as a musician are Iron Maiden, Slayer, Helloween, and Morbid Angel. (click here to see more of my favorites, along with my own personal music I wrote)
These lessons are geared towards learning metal and rock guitar, mostly metal. If you're looking for blues, jazz, classical, reggae, flamenco, or instruction covering anything other than metal and rock, these lessons are not for you. Metal and rock guitar only!
These lessons are geared towards learning metal and rock guitar, mostly metal. If you're looking for blues, jazz, classical, reggae, flamenco, or instruction covering anything other than metal and rock, these lessons are not for you. Metal and rock guitar only!
WHAT YOU CAN LEARN
I'm big on teaching the ins and outs of playing and understanding your instrument. I want to give you the blueprints of how the music we enjoy is made. This means going over the fundamentals of how to play, covering strumming, picking, and fretting technique, so you will know how to play and understand any song you want.
This does mean I do not teach by using songs. I used to teach songs when students requested them, but the same issue continued to happen time and time again. We would run into several sections of the song(s) that were way too difficult for the student(s) to play, and we'd have to go over the fundamentals so they could build up the necessary skills in order to play what they wanted. So, now, we jump straight into the fundamentals so you have all the necessary tools to play everything you want.
Instead of teaching you 100 things so you can play 100 things, I'd rather teach you 10 things so you can play and understand 1000!
This does mean I do not teach by using songs. I used to teach songs when students requested them, but the same issue continued to happen time and time again. We would run into several sections of the song(s) that were way too difficult for the student(s) to play, and we'd have to go over the fundamentals so they could build up the necessary skills in order to play what they wanted. So, now, we jump straight into the fundamentals so you have all the necessary tools to play everything you want.
Instead of teaching you 100 things so you can play 100 things, I'd rather teach you 10 things so you can play and understand 1000!
THE LESSON PLAN
TECHNIQUE - PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT
As mentioned above, because no two students learn exactly the same, there is no 100% step by step plan. However, there is an end goal for giving you as much knowledge of the guitar as possible. How we get to that end goal will look different for everybody.
Depending on where you are in your knowledge and skill level will change how lessons begin. That being said, here is the general outline that most students go through who are starting from the beginning, and are interested in learning the most they can.
We do use tablature so we know exactly where to place our fingers, but we also cover how to read rhythm notation so you know how long the notes are supposed to ring out. We start with understanding whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, dotted half notes, and tied notes. This introduces the most simple rhythm ideas, and gets people used to counting and playing a long with a metronome. Power chords are what we'll use for all this rhythm stuff.
After you demonstrate a good understanding of these rhythm basics we move into 8th note strumming patterns. We start with very simple rhythms, then gradually get more and more difficult. LOTS of different patterns are covered so you'll be able to understand and handle anything you come across in writing your own material, or when learning songs you enjoy.
After covering 8th note strumming patters with the power chords, we go back to the easy 8th note patterns and begin picking single notes. This is where more riff and lead guitar stuff starts to happen. Then, just like the chords, we start off very simple, and gradually push the difficulty to give you lots of experience with many different ideas.
Then, upon completing the single note picking patterns, we begin working with legato. This is your hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. And again, just like the chords and single notes, we start with simple ideas and gradually get more and more challenging.
After all that 8th note work we do it again with 16th notes. 8th notes divide the beat into two equal parts. 16th notes divide the beat into four equal parts. We start with 16th note chord strumming patterns, then move to single note picking patterns, then finish with legato.
After that, we move to 8th note triplets where the beat is divided into three equal parts. Then we go chords, single notes, and then legato.
Depending on what you know, palm-mute accent patterns are usually worked in before triplets begin. This is because there's a LOT of fast down picking with heavily palm-muted material, and making sure your picking skills are solid before hitting the palm-muted stuff is something we aim to have established.
Most of the material mentioned is in a 4/4 time signature. 3/4 will happen for some things, and 5/4 can happen as well. After covering all that rhythmic material we cover counting in other time signatures, such as 7/4, 5/8, 12/8, etc.
Pure speed building work is done at this point, as well as covering finger tapping and sweep picking. For those who are interested, we can also start covering string bending licks.
Depending on where you are in your knowledge and skill level will change how lessons begin. That being said, here is the general outline that most students go through who are starting from the beginning, and are interested in learning the most they can.
We do use tablature so we know exactly where to place our fingers, but we also cover how to read rhythm notation so you know how long the notes are supposed to ring out. We start with understanding whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, dotted half notes, and tied notes. This introduces the most simple rhythm ideas, and gets people used to counting and playing a long with a metronome. Power chords are what we'll use for all this rhythm stuff.
After you demonstrate a good understanding of these rhythm basics we move into 8th note strumming patterns. We start with very simple rhythms, then gradually get more and more difficult. LOTS of different patterns are covered so you'll be able to understand and handle anything you come across in writing your own material, or when learning songs you enjoy.
After covering 8th note strumming patters with the power chords, we go back to the easy 8th note patterns and begin picking single notes. This is where more riff and lead guitar stuff starts to happen. Then, just like the chords, we start off very simple, and gradually push the difficulty to give you lots of experience with many different ideas.
Then, upon completing the single note picking patterns, we begin working with legato. This is your hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. And again, just like the chords and single notes, we start with simple ideas and gradually get more and more challenging.
After all that 8th note work we do it again with 16th notes. 8th notes divide the beat into two equal parts. 16th notes divide the beat into four equal parts. We start with 16th note chord strumming patterns, then move to single note picking patterns, then finish with legato.
After that, we move to 8th note triplets where the beat is divided into three equal parts. Then we go chords, single notes, and then legato.
Depending on what you know, palm-mute accent patterns are usually worked in before triplets begin. This is because there's a LOT of fast down picking with heavily palm-muted material, and making sure your picking skills are solid before hitting the palm-muted stuff is something we aim to have established.
Most of the material mentioned is in a 4/4 time signature. 3/4 will happen for some things, and 5/4 can happen as well. After covering all that rhythmic material we cover counting in other time signatures, such as 7/4, 5/8, 12/8, etc.
Pure speed building work is done at this point, as well as covering finger tapping and sweep picking. For those who are interested, we can also start covering string bending licks.
MUSIC THEORY
Unfortunately, due to the somewhat hands off nature of sending videos back and forth, I do not feel that music theory can be adequately taught in a tailored lessons approach.
This stuff gets complicated! Some day I do plan on having a full theory course, which will come with theory worksheets to help people learn through hands on experience and not just by memorizing things all the time. But, until then, if you're interested in theory lessons, we'll have to do that through the Skype one on one lessons.
This stuff gets complicated! Some day I do plan on having a full theory course, which will come with theory worksheets to help people learn through hands on experience and not just by memorizing things all the time. But, until then, if you're interested in theory lessons, we'll have to do that through the Skype one on one lessons.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
If you're unable to make the same day and time each week for traditional lessons, or if you live in a time zone that is too conflicting with our schedules, this Video Correspondence program can be a great option for you!
All I ask is you send in your video before 11:59 PM on Wednesday Night (mountain time zone). This gives me adequate time to view everyone's material and send over everyone's new lesson.
If you send over a video past that time, that week will be forfeit, and I'll get new material over to you after I begin my new work week which starts on Sundays.
All I ask is you send in your video before 11:59 PM on Wednesday Night (mountain time zone). This gives me adequate time to view everyone's material and send over everyone's new lesson.
If you send over a video past that time, that week will be forfeit, and I'll get new material over to you after I begin my new work week which starts on Sundays.
AFFORDABLE
30 minute Skype lessons cost $115 per month.
60 minute Skype lessons cost $195 per month.
The Video Correspondence lessons are only $50 per month.
For those who can't afford the Skype one on one lessons, this could be a great option for you!
60 minute Skype lessons cost $195 per month.
The Video Correspondence lessons are only $50 per month.
For those who can't afford the Skype one on one lessons, this could be a great option for you!
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU AS A STUDENT
Even though there is less material given each week in the Video Correspondence program compared to the Skype one on one lessons, you are still expected to put in effort. Having less materials ties in with you being able to have more personal schedule flexibility.
Most material really only needs about 10 - 15 minutes of practice, 5 days a week. If you believe you can dedicate that time to the materials given to you, then we can make this work!
Most material really only needs about 10 - 15 minutes of practice, 5 days a week. If you believe you can dedicate that time to the materials given to you, then we can make this work!
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT TO DO LESSONS
I just need to see and hear everything in your videos. All of your guitar/both hands need to be easily seen. I also need to hear your guitar and metronome clearly in the recording.
What a lot of students do who send over videos is use YouTube. You can upload your videos there, set them to unlisted if you don't want them searchable, and then send me the link. Nice and simple!
Others prefer using Google Drive, or iCloud. As long as you have a way to easily send me your videos, and you're happy with the process, we're good to go!
What a lot of students do who send over videos is use YouTube. You can upload your videos there, set them to unlisted if you don't want them searchable, and then send me the link. Nice and simple!
Others prefer using Google Drive, or iCloud. As long as you have a way to easily send me your videos, and you're happy with the process, we're good to go!
WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR LESSONS
This top video is a montage of video testimony from some different students I've worked with over the years. During the intro, there is some text saying "Mile High Shred - Advanced Guitar Lessons". That's just something I tried out for a short time a while back. There is no need for you to be advanced in order to take lessons. I just ask that you put in the work and are dedicated to improving!
Here are some individual testimony videos to check out:
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Here is a playlist of all the video testimonies students have offered over the years (the first video in the playlist is the montage shown above)
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More student testimony taken from written reviews:
"John is a really solid teacher - meets you where you are, customizes based on your individual goals and provides enough structure to help you make massive improvement. Very very happy to be working with him!"
-Jason B. (on the facebook page)
"I've been taking lessons at Mile High Shred for almost a year. I started as a novice and now I can actually play! I have a lot more to learn but I've been so pleased with my progress and John's teaching really helped me! I highly recommend him if you want to learn how to shred!"
-Kevin F. (on the facebook page)
"I have been a guitar student of John Taylor’s, at Mile High Shred, for a little more than two years. I began as a total beginner and progressed and learned a great deal from his lessons. John is very knowledgeable and he is definitely patient with his students. He tailors the lessons around the needs, interested, and progression of the student."
-Christian (google review)
"John helped me get a lot of my core foundation down. I don't know if he teaches everyone the same, but Ii appreciated his 'no-bullshit' approach with me. I would highly recommend him for anyone trying to get into playing, especially if you are into metal."
-Kedhrin G. (google review)
"John is a really solid teacher - meets you where you are, customizes based on your individual goals and provides enough structure to help you make massive improvement. Very very happy to be working with him!"
-Jason B. (on the facebook page)
"I've been taking lessons at Mile High Shred for almost a year. I started as a novice and now I can actually play! I have a lot more to learn but I've been so pleased with my progress and John's teaching really helped me! I highly recommend him if you want to learn how to shred!"
-Kevin F. (on the facebook page)
"I have been a guitar student of John Taylor’s, at Mile High Shred, for a little more than two years. I began as a total beginner and progressed and learned a great deal from his lessons. John is very knowledgeable and he is definitely patient with his students. He tailors the lessons around the needs, interested, and progression of the student."
-Christian (google review)
"John helped me get a lot of my core foundation down. I don't know if he teaches everyone the same, but Ii appreciated his 'no-bullshit' approach with me. I would highly recommend him for anyone trying to get into playing, especially if you are into metal."
-Kedhrin G. (google review)
START TAKING LESSONS
Ready to start making progress in your guitar playing journey? CLICK HERE to get registered for the lessons, and we'll start sending videos to each other!
GUITAR PLAYING EXAMPLES
Here are a some videos of me playing so you can see who you'd be working with:
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