Maurice G. — Guitar Teacher — Riverdale, Toronto

Maurice Gordon B.F.A York U. (guitar and bass) I am a highly motivated, enthusiastic and a life -long learner of music and education. I am a versatile teacher and performer that enjoys many styles including jazz, blues, folk music and rock, reggae and rhythm and blues. I spend a lot of time learning and practice as I research music to grow my knowledge and skills. I can motivate and teach students any style they are interested in and as an educator believes that teaching the essential fundamentals of technique, theory and ear training, listening and guiding students in practice are very important when teaching. I have over 25 plus years experience as a teacher in Toronto and Jamaica where I retired early as the head of the Guitar and Bass Department of the School of Music at the Edna Manley College for about 22 years. I have 3 CDs to my credit and has recorded and toured with international acts such as Jimmy Cliff, Monty Alexander, Mutabaruka and local artists such Liberty Silver, Kingsley Ettienne, and more along with various ensembles he has put together over the years. He can be seen and heard on YouTube. I am currently performing as the bass player for Jay Douglas and Shakura S’Aida as well as leading my own group Pimento and others playing at the Jazz Bistro.

My lessons start with an assessment of my students skills and learning style as we go. In introducing the guitar if they are new with showing them the and naming the parts of the guitar, the top, the bottom strings, the bridge, the nut etc. Then work on some basic tones, timing, touch and technique. then I introduce some basic technique to make music, we work on that slowly and then start to learn the names of the open strings, notes on each string and and also talk about practicing and what to do. I would hope that after those things that the student might be able to start working on a simple song melody, maybe try a chord again this is all relative depending on hand size, age and pace at learning. At the next lesson I like to ask if they have any questions and then we review and proceed along the path of learning all while encouraging and fostering the student towards greater growth.