All services can be combined, and are at a rate of $75 per hour, or $50 for a half hour. Rates are subject to change.

Guitar

Music Theory & Composition

Music theory is the backbone of all things music. Understanding it is not essential to being a successful composer, but it is a tool that can help composers and musicians express themselves in a more thoughtful and natural manner. Michael will walk you through the basics of theory and notation, then move on to harmony in three different levels of mastery. Included in this route is training in orchestration and arranging.

Composition, while related to music theory, is an entirely different beast. If you want to learn to compose, Michael will start with simple ideas and melodies, then move on to more advanced ideas such as texture, species counterpoint, and eventually experimental techniques as well as odd meters and polymeter.

Ear Training

Ear training is one of the most important aspects of being a student of music. Hans Zimmer can't read a note of music, but he has a fantastic ear for music. The same goes for Tommy Emmanuel. In Michael's opinion, ear training is essential to becoming a truly effective musician or composer. You don't need perfect pitch to become proficient in ear training. All you need is relative pitch, which can be developed by nearly everyone. It might be frustrating at first, but if you stick with it and let Michael guide you through the process, it will become easier over time and eventually you'll develop a fantastic ear. While some people only develop their ear, to be successful in this line of study it is necessary to understand at least basic music theory.

Interval training is where it begins, followed by triads (including inversions), simple seventh chords, advanced seventh chords, tensions, and strange chords. Also included in ear training is transcription and rhythm identification.

Music Production and Software Training

This day and age, composers and musicians need to be multi-faceted. Not only do they need to be able to compose on paper (or in notation software), they need to be able to put pieces together in a DAW (digital audio workstation). Recording music and sequencing music is important for putting together demos or mockups that you can submit to orchestras and ensembles. On the flip side of that, if you want to produce the next hit dubstep or EDM track, Michael can teach you the skills necessary to put pieces like this together.

Michael's software training requires students to have current versions of the software and a MIDI controller such as a MIDI keyboard. PC (windows) or MAC only please. Training is available in the following software and plugins: Ableton Live, Sibelius, Reason, ProTools, Logic Pro, MIDI usage, MIDI Orchestration, Massive Synths, Kontakt Libraries, Spitfire Audio Products.