Nadeau Guitars – Guitar Lessons
Here is some information about my teaching style and guitar playing philosophy.
On Reading Music
My younger students are strongly encouraged to learn to read music. I teach this from the Hal Leonard guitar
method books. These popular books have been used successfully for years by teachers everywhere. The
method books use a step-by-step approach to teach note reading.
Being able to read notation is very helpful for any guitarist, though it is not mandatory for learning how to play
guitar. I was already playing professionally before I finally learned basic music reading skills.
I was only taught to play by ear at an early age, and in some ways this put me at a disadvantage later on in my
music career.
However, I will usually insist on younger students starting with the Method Books and learning to read music.
Not only does it give them a valuable skill, it also uses a logical step-by-step approach that helps develop their
musical understanding and the physical skills needed to play guitar.
This will come in very handy when they move on to playing their favorite kinds of music.
Let me make this very clear: Reading music is not necessary to be a great guitar player.
Some of the world's most accomplished musicians do not read music.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon couldn't read music. In fact, some say their lack of musical knowledge
actually helped them create some of the greatest music of the 20th century because they were not restrained
by the RULES.
Guys like Clapton, SRV, or Hendrix had no formal music training. But technique masters like Randy Rhoads
or Yngwie Malmsteen had classical training at some point in their careers. In fact, Randy Rhoads would
seek out guitar teachers while he was on tour, because he was first and foremost, a student of the guitar.
Before his death at age 23, Rhoads was considering quitting Ozzy's band so he could devote himself to
teaching and studying guitar full-time.
Students who advance in their guitar playing skills will eventually want to learn to play popular music styles
such as rock, blues or country. This is usually done through the reading of Tablature, a system of lines and
numbers. Students who learn how to read music will have an advantage in reading Tabs that also include
rhythmic values.
On Music Styles & Goals
I believe students should be exposed to a wide variety of music. I try to give them a sampling of everything
from classic rock to country to jazz to oldies to blues and even heavy metal. There is something to be learned
from any music style. My hope is that listening to and playing something new fosters a deep appreciation for
music in general. They will usually gravitate to a style that they are best suited for and really enjoy. I've had
students come in who at first only liked rap or punk, but eventually developed a real feel for blues or jazz or
funk or classic rock.
Some students will want to become well-versed in many different styles of music. Others will eventually want to
focus on one style and master it. It all depends on your goals as a guitar player.
Many players view guitar playing as a competition. In their minds, it's all about who's the "best" or "fastest." To
me, guitar playing isn't about being better than the next guy, it's being better than YOU were last week or last
year. Compete with yourself, not the guy who spends 10 hours a day in his room playing speed metal or the
jazz guitarist who knows 1000 different chords. Focus on improving your own skills and eventually YOU will be
the guy everyone tries to beat.
How could anyone compare classical guitar pioneer Andres Segovia with slide-wizard Duane Allman or
metal shred-monster Kirk Hammett? They each have their own specialty and couldn't begin to even try to
play each other's style. So, who's better? Who cares! They are all masters of their own style!
I spent my music career playing in a variety of club bands: Rock, Country, top40, alternative.
As a result I learned a lot about many different music styles. But I would say my focus was blues-based Rock,
and country lead guitar.
There is a renewed appreciation for Classic Rock among today's teens, especially those who play guitar.
Santana, Pink Floyd, Eagles, ACDC, Aerosmith and Led Zep are hugely popular today. This is the music most
of my advanced students are asking me to teach them.
Classic Rock offers a huge selection of songs, bands, styles and techniques to learn from.
The classic rock era was the golden age of GUITAR!
And, luckily for me, it was also the era when I learned to play! I love teaching this stuff.
Here are examples of some of the music my students have learned to play:
Santana - Oye Como Va
Green Day - American Idiot, Good Riddance, Holiday
U2 - Pride, Vertigo
Dire Straits -Sultans of Swing
The Ventures - Wipeout, Walk Don't Run, Pipeline
The Beatles - Day Tripper, Help!, Let it Be, Eight Days a Week
America - Sister Golden Hair, Horse with No Name
Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze
AC/DC - Back in Black, Highway to Hell, TNT, Hells Bells
Eagles - Hotel California, Take it Easy, Tequila Sunrise
Neil Young - Heart of Gold, Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done
Avril Lavigne - I'm with You , Nobody's Home, Girlfriend, When You're Gone
Led Zeppelin - Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir, D'yer Maker
Metallica - Wherever I May Roam, Enter Sandman
Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train
Allman Brothers - Melissa, Jessica, Ramblin' Man
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke (bass students)
Traditional Bluegrass - Cripple Creek, Foggy Mt. Breakdown
Brooks & Dunn - Neon Moon
Garth Brooks - Beaches of Cheyenne, The Dance, Friends in Low Places
Eric Clapton - Layla, Wonderful Tonight, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven
Boston - More Than a Feeling, Piece of Mind, Rock and Roll Band
Marshall Tucker Band - Can't You See, Heard it in a Love Song, Fire on the Mountain
Pink Floyd - Money, Another Brick in the Wall
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Hurt
Waylon Jennings - Amanda, Are You sure hank Done it This Way?,
Kris Kristofferson - Me & Bobbie McGee, For the Good Times, Why Me?
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville, Fins, Cheeseburger in Paradise
Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Faire, America, Mrs. Robinson, Kodachrome
Van Halen - Ain't Talking 'bout Love, You Really Got Me, Running With the Devil
Fleetwood Mac - Landslide, Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way
Jim Croce - Operator
John Denver - Rocky Mt. High, Annie's Song, Country Roads
Bon Jovi - Wanted: Dead or Alive
Buddy Holly - That'll be the Day, Rave On, Peggy Sue
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode, Rock and Roll Music
ZZ Top - La Grange
Pure Prairie League - Aimee
Temptations - My Girl
Ted Nugent - Baby Please Don't Go
Def Leppard - Rock of Ages, Photograph, Foolin'
Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City
Billy Idol - White Wedding
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Kansas - Dust in the Wind
Kiss - Detroit Rock City, Rock and Roll All Nite
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama, What's Your Name?
Bob Seger - Night Moves, Mainstreet, Against the Wind
Rush - (bass students) Tom Sawyer, Limelight
Blind Melon - No Rain
Van Morrison - Brown-Eyed Girl
Paul Simon - Kodachrome
CSNY- Ohio, Helplessly Hoping, Teach Your Children, Southern Cross
On Improvisation
Improvisation is when a guitar player performs an ad-libbed lead intrumental solo over a chord progression.
This is more commonly referred to as "jamming." This is where the guitarist finds his own "voice" and learns to
use the instrument to express himself. I am a die-hard advocate of "jamming." Even though we learn many
songs and riffs from the rock catalogue, I encourage all of my advanced students to learn to SOLO. I'd like to
make a lead guitarist out of every kid who comes in with an electric guitar. To develop this form of musical
expression, we focus on riffs, scales, technique and theory. I also provide my students with a CD of full-band
backing tracks that they can jam along with and practice soloing. You can hear these tracks by clicking here.
On Teaching & Learning
I expect my students to work hard to learn the material presented each week. I do not give them songs to learn
that are beyond their skill level. But the songs they learn each week will hopefully challenge them and make
them better musicians. Playing guitar is not always easy for beginners.
But once the student masters the basic skill set, everything about playing guitar becomes MUCH easier and a
lot of fun.
I expect my students to be involved in their music education. Hopefully they are taking lessons because they
love music and WANT to play. This means parents don't have to order them to practice each day, they seek
out music to learn, they appreciate varied music styles and they come to each lesson prepared to learn.
I encourage and praise my students when they play something well, but I do not let sloppy playing or mistakes
go unnoticed. I try to make sure they do not develop bad habits in their playing. A bad habit can take years to
unlearn later on. I know this from experience. I'm still dealing with a lazy pinky finger.
I expect my students to always go back and review and practice previous material. Even though we move on to
new songs or scales etc, that does not mean they've MASTERED the previous material.
It only means we are moving on. Many of the techniques, scales, songs, etc take more than just one week of
practice to master, especially for beginners.
I expect my advanced students to work hard on the "thinking" part of playing music. This means they study and
eventually memorize the entire fretboard, scales, modes, chord formulas, etc.
Playing music is a true joy and pleasure, and it should not be viewed as a chore. Any student who thinks
practicing/playing music is "homework" or a drag should not be wasting his parents money or my time. I expect
my students to HAVE FUN!
-Phil Nadeau / music instructor
www.nadeauguitars.com e-mail: phil@nadeauguitars.com
Here is some information about my teaching style and guitar playing philosophy.
On Reading Music
My younger students are strongly encouraged to learn to read music. I teach this from the Hal Leonard guitar
method books. These popular books have been used successfully for years by teachers everywhere. The
method books use a step-by-step approach to teach note reading.
Being able to read notation is very helpful for any guitarist, though it is not mandatory for learning how to play
guitar. I was already playing professionally before I finally learned basic music reading skills.
I was only taught to play by ear at an early age, and in some ways this put me at a disadvantage later on in my
music career.
However, I will usually insist on younger students starting with the Method Books and learning to read music.
Not only does it give them a valuable skill, it also uses a logical step-by-step approach that helps develop their
musical understanding and the physical skills needed to play guitar.
This will come in very handy when they move on to playing their favorite kinds of music.
Let me make this very clear: Reading music is not necessary to be a great guitar player.
Some of the world's most accomplished musicians do not read music.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon couldn't read music. In fact, some say their lack of musical knowledge
actually helped them create some of the greatest music of the 20th century because they were not restrained
by the RULES.
Guys like Clapton, SRV, or Hendrix had no formal music training. But technique masters like Randy Rhoads
or Yngwie Malmsteen had classical training at some point in their careers. In fact, Randy Rhoads would
seek out guitar teachers while he was on tour, because he was first and foremost, a student of the guitar.
Before his death at age 23, Rhoads was considering quitting Ozzy's band so he could devote himself to
teaching and studying guitar full-time.
Students who advance in their guitar playing skills will eventually want to learn to play popular music styles
such as rock, blues or country. This is usually done through the reading of Tablature, a system of lines and
numbers. Students who learn how to read music will have an advantage in reading Tabs that also include
rhythmic values.
On Music Styles & Goals
I believe students should be exposed to a wide variety of music. I try to give them a sampling of everything
from classic rock to country to jazz to oldies to blues and even heavy metal. There is something to be learned
from any music style. My hope is that listening to and playing something new fosters a deep appreciation for
music in general. They will usually gravitate to a style that they are best suited for and really enjoy. I've had
students come in who at first only liked rap or punk, but eventually developed a real feel for blues or jazz or
funk or classic rock.
Some students will want to become well-versed in many different styles of music. Others will eventually want to
focus on one style and master it. It all depends on your goals as a guitar player.
Many players view guitar playing as a competition. In their minds, it's all about who's the "best" or "fastest." To
me, guitar playing isn't about being better than the next guy, it's being better than YOU were last week or last
year. Compete with yourself, not the guy who spends 10 hours a day in his room playing speed metal or the
jazz guitarist who knows 1000 different chords. Focus on improving your own skills and eventually YOU will be
the guy everyone tries to beat.
How could anyone compare classical guitar pioneer Andres Segovia with slide-wizard Duane Allman or
metal shred-monster Kirk Hammett? They each have their own specialty and couldn't begin to even try to
play each other's style. So, who's better? Who cares! They are all masters of their own style!
I spent my music career playing in a variety of club bands: Rock, Country, top40, alternative.
As a result I learned a lot about many different music styles. But I would say my focus was blues-based Rock,
and country lead guitar.
There is a renewed appreciation for Classic Rock among today's teens, especially those who play guitar.
Santana, Pink Floyd, Eagles, ACDC, Aerosmith and Led Zep are hugely popular today. This is the music most
of my advanced students are asking me to teach them.
Classic Rock offers a huge selection of songs, bands, styles and techniques to learn from.
The classic rock era was the golden age of GUITAR!
And, luckily for me, it was also the era when I learned to play! I love teaching this stuff.
Here are examples of some of the music my students have learned to play:
Santana - Oye Como Va
Green Day - American Idiot, Good Riddance, Holiday
U2 - Pride, Vertigo
Dire Straits -Sultans of Swing
The Ventures - Wipeout, Walk Don't Run, Pipeline
The Beatles - Day Tripper, Help!, Let it Be, Eight Days a Week
America - Sister Golden Hair, Horse with No Name
Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze
AC/DC - Back in Black, Highway to Hell, TNT, Hells Bells
Eagles - Hotel California, Take it Easy, Tequila Sunrise
Neil Young - Heart of Gold, Old Man, Needle and the Damage Done
Avril Lavigne - I'm with You , Nobody's Home, Girlfriend, When You're Gone
Led Zeppelin - Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, Kashmir, D'yer Maker
Metallica - Wherever I May Roam, Enter Sandman
Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train
Allman Brothers - Melissa, Jessica, Ramblin' Man
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke (bass students)
Traditional Bluegrass - Cripple Creek, Foggy Mt. Breakdown
Brooks & Dunn - Neon Moon
Garth Brooks - Beaches of Cheyenne, The Dance, Friends in Low Places
Eric Clapton - Layla, Wonderful Tonight, Crossroads, Tears in Heaven
Boston - More Than a Feeling, Piece of Mind, Rock and Roll Band
Marshall Tucker Band - Can't You See, Heard it in a Love Song, Fire on the Mountain
Pink Floyd - Money, Another Brick in the Wall
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Hurt
Waylon Jennings - Amanda, Are You sure hank Done it This Way?,
Kris Kristofferson - Me & Bobbie McGee, For the Good Times, Why Me?
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville, Fins, Cheeseburger in Paradise
Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Faire, America, Mrs. Robinson, Kodachrome
Van Halen - Ain't Talking 'bout Love, You Really Got Me, Running With the Devil
Fleetwood Mac - Landslide, Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way
Jim Croce - Operator
John Denver - Rocky Mt. High, Annie's Song, Country Roads
Bon Jovi - Wanted: Dead or Alive
Buddy Holly - That'll be the Day, Rave On, Peggy Sue
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode, Rock and Roll Music
ZZ Top - La Grange
Pure Prairie League - Aimee
Temptations - My Girl
Ted Nugent - Baby Please Don't Go
Def Leppard - Rock of Ages, Photograph, Foolin'
Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City
Billy Idol - White Wedding
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Kansas - Dust in the Wind
Kiss - Detroit Rock City, Rock and Roll All Nite
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama, What's Your Name?
Bob Seger - Night Moves, Mainstreet, Against the Wind
Rush - (bass students) Tom Sawyer, Limelight
Blind Melon - No Rain
Van Morrison - Brown-Eyed Girl
Paul Simon - Kodachrome
CSNY- Ohio, Helplessly Hoping, Teach Your Children, Southern Cross
On Improvisation
Improvisation is when a guitar player performs an ad-libbed lead intrumental solo over a chord progression.
This is more commonly referred to as "jamming." This is where the guitarist finds his own "voice" and learns to
use the instrument to express himself. I am a die-hard advocate of "jamming." Even though we learn many
songs and riffs from the rock catalogue, I encourage all of my advanced students to learn to SOLO. I'd like to
make a lead guitarist out of every kid who comes in with an electric guitar. To develop this form of musical
expression, we focus on riffs, scales, technique and theory. I also provide my students with a CD of full-band
backing tracks that they can jam along with and practice soloing. You can hear these tracks by clicking here.
On Teaching & Learning
I expect my students to work hard to learn the material presented each week. I do not give them songs to learn
that are beyond their skill level. But the songs they learn each week will hopefully challenge them and make
them better musicians. Playing guitar is not always easy for beginners.
But once the student masters the basic skill set, everything about playing guitar becomes MUCH easier and a
lot of fun.
I expect my students to be involved in their music education. Hopefully they are taking lessons because they
love music and WANT to play. This means parents don't have to order them to practice each day, they seek
out music to learn, they appreciate varied music styles and they come to each lesson prepared to learn.
I encourage and praise my students when they play something well, but I do not let sloppy playing or mistakes
go unnoticed. I try to make sure they do not develop bad habits in their playing. A bad habit can take years to
unlearn later on. I know this from experience. I'm still dealing with a lazy pinky finger.
I expect my students to always go back and review and practice previous material. Even though we move on to
new songs or scales etc, that does not mean they've MASTERED the previous material.
It only means we are moving on. Many of the techniques, scales, songs, etc take more than just one week of
practice to master, especially for beginners.
I expect my advanced students to work hard on the "thinking" part of playing music. This means they study and
eventually memorize the entire fretboard, scales, modes, chord formulas, etc.
Playing music is a true joy and pleasure, and it should not be viewed as a chore. Any student who thinks
practicing/playing music is "homework" or a drag should not be wasting his parents money or my time. I expect
my students to HAVE FUN!
-Phil Nadeau / music instructor
www.nadeauguitars.com e-mail: phil@nadeauguitars.com
