Music Lessons

Private guitar lessons are available several days per week from my Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY location.  Since 2003, I have worked as a full-time guitar and bass instructor, band coach, and drum teacher. I have taught courses on music theory, popular to punk to shred to classical guitar styles, and general sight reading for guitar, bass, and drumkit. I've helped several women build pedal boards and trained young bands to record in DAWs. 

I find learning music theory fun, but won't force it on you (well, just a bit). I believe learning the fundamentals and ideas behind WHY songs work will help you to teach yourself and grow a foundation to build upon. Learning fom several angles in the beginning is essential - songs, patterns, a little theory, happy accidents -  it all adds up to  becoming a creative guitarist and musician.  If you have gaps in your knowledge, we can fill them.  I have a large library of educational resources and cross reference from several books and study materials. We will aim towards any style(s)  you are most interested in. Students of all ages are welcome. Specialization includes adults learning an instrument for the first time.   

• Available to all ages.
• Guitarsts and Bassists: learn sight reading, fretboard theory, rhythms, strums, flat or fingerpicking, songs, music theory, scales, exercies, extended chord theory, harmony, inversions, lead styles etc
• Drummers: learn rudiments, ergonomics, sight reading, rhythm styles, sticking, songs, healthy technique
• Aim towards any musical styles you are most interested in
• Set personal musical goals
• Group and private lessons available
• Book weekly, bi-weekly, or as often as works for your schedule
• 30min, 45min, and 60minute lessons available
• 24 hour notice cancellation policy

PLEASE EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AFFORDABLE RATES: info@saralandeau.com

SARA LANDEAU STUDIOS  is located in the Pencil Works Building, Greenpoint area of Brooklyn.  Location is 61 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn NY, 11222. 

Beginning Guitar Course JANUARY 2020: sign up : NOW available through LESSONFACE

Course Description:

Students will be led through an intensive one-month guitar class. This course serves as an

introduction to the instrument and will provide students with an instant access to making

music on the guitar. The course will be split into several units that cover various aspects of

understanding the instrument and the music that can be created with it. Focus points will be strumming and rhythms, reading music, improvising, and beginning songwriting. Learn the fundamentals of popular songs through chords, melodies, rhythms, and essential fretboard technique. Knowing how and why musical patterns work will help you to teach yourself and develop a solid foundation. All levels welcome. 

Students who are a part of ‘Beginning Guitar’ should be prepared to practice on their own time outside of class. To progress towards the course’s final goals and objectives, daily independent practicing is essential.

* Recognizing and playing common musical themes.

* Learn songs you like from a list compiled by the class on the first day.

* Tricks and tips for learning music more quickly.

* Being able to play with others.

* Build confidence.

* Easier memorization of pieces.

* Exercise your creativity as we write a song (all levels encouraged!)

* Electric guitarist's guide to tone and basic pedal order.

OTHER COURSES and PRIVATE LESSONS

"Improvising on the Guitar" Course: Sample Course-load:

What Students Will Learn: 

The Pentatonic Scale

The Five Basic Fingerings of the Pentatonic Scale Forms

A Brief Explanation of the Pentatonic Scale

Organizing the Five Scales for Improvising

Playing Pentatonic Scales in Multiple Keys

Tonal and Rhythmic Considerations

Basic Concepts for Improvising with Pentatonic Scales

Moving between Different Positions of the Pentatonic Scale

Learning the Same Melodies and Riffs in Each of the Five Fingerings

The Concepts of Theme and Variation in Improvisation

Similarities and Differences: Major-Ionian Scale and the Major Pentatonic Scale

Major Pentatonic Scale Variations

The Melodic Minor Scale

The Harmonic Minor Scale

Major Scales and Their Modes

Constructing the Major Scale on the Fretboard

The Three Minor Modes

Triads and Triad Arpeggios

Playing Triads Vertically on the Fingerboard

Triad Arpeggios

Diatonic Triads and Arpeggios

Using Diatonic Triad Arpeggio Ideas for Improvisation

Seventh Chord Arpeggios

Diatonic Seventh Chords and Their Inversions

Goals and Objectives for Multi Guitar Courses - From Beginner to Advanced Lessons

What Students Will Learn: 

Tuning techniques 

Note intervals on the fretboard

First position chord study

Finger dexterity exercises

Strumming patterns

Scales

Extended chords

Syncopated strumming patterns 

Rhythms with a metronome

Sight reading first position using classical material

Solo songs and duets 

Time signatures beyond 4/4

Popular songs using chord charts, lyrics, and time signatures

Musical notation roadmaps

Performing music

Common song structures

Basic improvisation

Combination of scales and chords to learn approaches to improvisation.

Basic tenets of songwriting

Compose songs using their knowledge of chords and keys

Perform songs

Songs may include lyrics, rhythm patterns, improvisation, duets etc.

Steady practice routines

Guitar maintenance hands-on

Barred chord theory

Power chords and beyond

Sight reading in 5th position using classical material

Triads

Extended chords beyond barred

Sight reading in 7th position using classical material

Genre progression study

Music beyond blues and rock

Sight reading in 12th position using classical material

Guitar tone theory

Amp study

Pedal board basics

Pedal board order

Utilizing pedals for specific genres

Creating your own tone

Classical Guitar: Sample Course-load

What Students Will Learn: 

Background and History of the Classical Guitar

Classical Guitar Notation Explanation

Considerations for Classical Guitarists

Arpeggios

Alternating Finger Patterns for Right Hand

Chamber Music

Arpeggios and Major/Minor Scale Development

Arpeggio Variations

Open Position Major Scales

Introduction to Minor Scales

Fretboard Note Location

Melody in Bass Voice

Shifts on a Single String

Two-Octave Scale Forms and Arpeggios

3-Note Arpeggio Patterns

Vibrato Technique

Tremolo Techniques

Melody on Ring Finger within an Arpeggio

Slurs

Two-Octave Minor Scale Forms

Tremolo

6-string Arpeggio Variations

Three-Octave Major Scales

Harmonics

Three-Octave Major Arpeggios

Harmonic and Drop-D Techniques

Three-Octave Minor Scales

Artificial Harmonics

Drop D tuning

Muting

Percussive Techniques

Speed Builders

Percussive Techniques

Whole-Tone Scale

Classical Guitar and Popular Music

Classical Arrangements of Popular Music

Advanced Percussive Techniques

Open String Scales

Spanish Guitar Master Francisco Tarrega

Classical Guitar Alternative Techniques

Diminished Scales

Prepared Guitar

Practice Routine

20th Century classical composers

Fundamentals of the DRUM-KIT: Sample Course 

What Students Will Learn:

• Correct Hand Technique
• Reading
• Drum Set Coordination
• 40 Rudiments
• Time
• Fills
• Tuning
• Dynamics
• Odd time signatures
• Improvising
• Charts
• Writing parts
• Playing with other musicians
• Songs
• Erogonomics
• Repertoire Development
• Grips
• Snare drum exercies
• Ghost stroke technique
• Several styles
• Bass Drum Variations
• Cross references from several books
• Listening analysis
• Syncopated Groove Transcriptions

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BIO: Sara Landeau is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, producer, composer, and artist based in NYC. She has worked across a broad spectrum of experimental music mediums. She is a founding member of The Julie Ruin who have released acclaimed albums on Hardly Art Records (SubPop) and achieved top ten chart hits, radio and television appearance, a number 1 on CMJ charts, and music in films and commercials.. Since 2003, she has been running Sara Landeau Studios in Brooklyn which offers music lessons in guitar, bass, drums, and electronics for girls and women. She is a proponent of equality for women, and believes in the ideology of self-improvement and empowerment through education.

The recipient of 2019 Max Matthews Sound Artist Artist award from Brooklyn College, the 2019 Cycling 74 Max Expo Grant, Women in Computer Music Scholarship Stanford, 2019, and an award winning educator with the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, she has also toured internationally for a decade as an electro-acoustic composer and guitarist. Her performances often include custom instruments and sonic sculptures utilizing electro-conductive materials such as paint and threads with sounds and compositions created in Max MSP. Currently she is taking private students in guitar, drums, bass, and electronic music from her music studio in Greenpoint Brooklyn, and is an Adjunct Professor of Music History at Brooklyn College., teaching courses such as "Music, It's Language & Culture" and "Music in Global America" to over 100 students.

EDUCATION

M.F.A., Sonic Arts, Brooklyn College, NY 2019 

B.A., Art History, Columbia University, New York, NY, 2002 

(other) The Juilliard School 2003-2005 Courses: music theory, audio technology, guitar 

2018 Pro Tools Audio/DAW Certified 

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS and AWARDS (selected)

2019 Women in Computer Music Scholarship for Supercollider, Stanford University

2019 Max Matthews Sound Art Award , Brooklyn College 

2019 Cycling 74 Max Expo Grant

2015 Girls Rock Camp Alliance, USA: Artists and Activists Award  

Sponsors include Fender Guitars

BMI artist

WRITER

 She Shreds Magazine  -Magazine dedicated to female guitarists

Tom Tom Magazine  - Drummers/Music/Feminism

 ADORAMA (ALC) LEARNING SERIES - Recording and Audio Gear/Guitars/Reviews.

TEACHING  (Selected)
Brooklyn College, NYC

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, MUSIC HISTORY

2017-presentMusic History Courses: “Music: Its Language, History, and Culture”  and "Music in Global America"

Sara Landeau Studio, NYC

PRIVATE GUITAR INSTRUCTOR

2003- present PencilWorks Building, Brooklyn NY 11222Individual and Group Music Lessons Guitar, Bass, Drums, Songwriting, Music Theory Group workshops created for women include: Chicks With Picks, Iron Maidens, and Bitches Brew

Other:
Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls GUITAR INSTRUCTOR, BAND COACH 2005-2015
Brooklyn Music School, NYC GUITAR, BASS, DRUMS, VOCALS, PIANO INSTRUCTOR 2018-19
Gowanus Music Club, NYC GUITAR INSTRUCTOR, BAND COACH2 012-2019