Blake P. offers Guitar Lessons and Singing Lessons
Tutor in Rochester, NY 14620
Rochester, NY 14620
NOT ENROLLING
Price starts at: $15
Subjects: Audition Prep, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Singing
Students can expect lessons with me to be personalized, professional and most importantly, rooted in inspiration and joy. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to get into a top music conservatory, we will work together to create a program with clear goals while working at a pace that suits your musical needs. My mantra is “music is easy,” and my goal is to break-down difficult musical concepts in a way that gives you the confidence of a master. We will unlock your potential and have a ton of fun along the way.
My “Complete Musicianship Course™” will not only make you a better guitarist, but a holistic musician. With lessons grounded in fundamentals we’ll start small and develop your musical identity within a larger musical tradition. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for your instrument and the music you love.
I hold a BFA with honors from the Eastman School of Music, studying under Bob Sneider. I’ve studied at Concordia University with Gary Schwarts and Greg Amirault as well as Bob Thompson. I have been a full-time professional musician for 10 years, performing 146 gigs in 2019. I have been fortunate to have opportunities in a variety of musical arenas; whether it’s rock n’ roll clubs, International jazz festivals, or opening for Ice Cube. I am experienced with ages 5 and up; I’ve been a coach, a counsellor, a high-school choir director and am currently a faculty member of the Rochester Contemporary School of Music.
Complete Musicianship Course™ Outline:
Warm-up routines: A strong foundation in technique and form.
Repertoire and Styles Study: Learn your favorite songs and common stylistic conventions to authentically perform jazz, hip-hop, funk, rock, blues and pop.
Rhythmic studies: The key to great music is great rhythm. We’ll learn how to count, subdivide, and groove at any tempo or feel.
Harmony: Learn chords and scales, and how they work in tandem to create the songs you love!
Improvisation: Learn how to take a solo and make the changes! We’ll go beyond the basic elements to give you vocabulary taken directly from your guitar idols.
Ear training: Basic intervals to scales, chords, and transcribing full songs. You will gain the ability to listen to a song and play along without the need for tab-books or written sheet-music.
Equipment Consultation: We’ll discuss your guitar, amp, pedals, and even recording equipment. You’ll learn how to play your favorite music with authentic tone.
- Child Ages:
- 3 weeks - 17 years
- Levels and Ages
- Types of Lessons Available
- Course and Teaching Material
- Activities and more...
EDUCATION
Date: September 15, 2015 – May 15, 2018
School: Eastman School of Music
Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media (jazz guitar)
Description: Eastman gave me a wealth of knowledge, not only in guitar playing, but in all things related to music: composition, aural skills, performance practice, music theory and music history. I also studied marketing extensively at the University of Rochester during my time there, and have a wealth of music business strategies to offer as well.
Date: September 15, 2012 – May 15, 2014
School: Concordia University – MTL
Degree: Bachelor’s in Music Performance (Transferred to Eastman)
Description: I attended Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec for two years after graduating high school. It was an exciting time to get to live in a big music city and I spent many of my nights at jam sessions playing with top performers from McGill and Concordia.
Ultimately, I found that while I was working really hard at Concordia, my friends who went to McGill were still surpassing me in music. So after receiving Concordia’s top jazz scholarship and getting the chance to play at the Montreal Jazz Festival with my jazz quartet, I realized that Concordia would not let me grow as much as I needed to in such a short amount of time, so I had to make the unfortunate decision to transfer schools, which ultimately ended up being the right choice for me.
EXPERIENCE
Date: March 15, 2015 – May 15, 2015
Organization: Ellsworth Elementary Middle School
Title: Track Coach
Description: For a track season, I worked with middle schoolers as their track coach. I realize this isn’t exactly music related, but it is important to note that I have field experience working with middle school aged students. I currently also have a sister who has just graduated middle school, so I am well acquainted with this age group.
Date: September 15, 2014 – June 15, 2015
Organization: Ellsworth High School
Title: High School Choir Director
Description: I substitute taught for one year at Ellsworth High School. During which time the vocal teacher’s mother got very ill, and for a majority of the year I took her place as the head of the school choir. This gave me great hands on experience working with vocalist of varying skill levels.
Date: May 15, 2015 – August 15, 2015
Organization: Camp Beech Cliff
Title: Camp Counsellor
Description: Worked as a Camp Counsellor for one of Maine’s premier summer camp’s for kids. Worked specifically with ages 5-6. This age group is often high energy and excited. I like being able to help them focus some of their excited energy into fun and simple music tasks.
Date: July 15, 2010
Organization: Self-Employed
Title: Freelance Musician
Description: Professional Since age 16.
Benchmarks in my career so far:
-Performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Rochester Jazz Festival
-Performed Notorious B.I.G.’s music to a sold out show in Brooklyn with his best friend Lil’ Cease.
-Opened for Ice Cube.
-Have toured the East Coast.
-Performed at exactly 50 weddings for 2019 and had over 150 gigs total in 2019.
-Currently working in several creative projects, and working as a recording artist.
CERTIFICATES
Date: May 15, 2018
Authority: Eastman School of Music
Name: BFA with JCM focus
Description: I have bachelor of fine arts with a focus in jazz and contemporary media; specializing in guitar performance.
AWARDS
Date: February 15, 2014
Authority: Charles Ellison
Name: Charles Ellison Scholarship – Concordia University
Description: Charles Ellison, the head of the jazz faculty at Concordia University, gives this scholarship out to two students each year. Of the entire jazz department four students are chosen to compete for a performance opportunity at the International Festival de Jazz de Montréal and $2,000 towards their education. I was fortunate enough to receive this award during my time at Concordia University.
LANGUAGES
Language: English
Proficiency: Fluent / Native Proficiency