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During a guitar lesson on August 6, 2025, Giacomo Favitta guided the Adaptive Manipulator through improvising melodies over major and dominant chords, specifically Bb major/Eb7 and F major/C7. The instruction centered on utilizing major and melodic minor scales, with a strong emphasis on targeting specific chord tones and judiciously avoiding the major 7th on dominant chords. To help the Adaptive Manipulator internalize the harmony, Giacomo introduced the concept of "spins" – scale and arpeggio fragments – applying these techniques to the song "Bye Bye Blackbird." A key focus of this lesson was also the application of melodic minor scales from the fifth over dominant chords, and a follow-up lesson is tentatively scheduled.

Giacomo Favitta tutored two students from Hometown in separate piano lessons. One learner focused on foundational skills, including scales, chords, transposition, and reading exercises. The other student began "When the Saints Go Marching In," concentrating on the right-hand melody and singing. Practice was assigned to both, and Giacomo also discussed scheduling the next lesson with one of the student's mothers.

In a guitar lesson, Giacomo guides Lonca through understanding and applying melodic minor scales over dominant chords, using B flat major as a starting point. They focus on visualizing scale shapes, finger dexterity, and the harmonic context of scales and arpeggios. Giacomo emphasizes understanding *why* scales work, not just memorization, and recommends focused practice on a few positions, ear training, and applying scales to simple chord progressions.

Giacomo led a piano lesson for Asher and Levi, customizing the instruction to their individual musical development. Asher dedicated his time to learning a specific song, while Levi focused on practical exercises, transposition, and the fundamentals of chord construction. Looking ahead, Giacomo rescheduled Levi's next lesson for Tuesday and assigned him homework that included working with chords and melody.

Giacomo taught a music theory lesson to a student from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, beginning with chord structures (triads and seventh chords) and applying them to a song. They refined the song's chord progression, focusing on the verses and chorus. Giacomo then introduced harmonizing the major scale, explaining the chords built on each degree and how this knowledge can help determine a song's key. He noted that certain chords, like the dominant 7th built on the root, are outside the standard harmonization and would be discussed later. The learner was assigned homework to practice the song, memorize the scale harmonization, and analyze the song's chords. Their next lesson is scheduled for August 11th, adjusted for their time zone in Alaska.

Giacomo Favitta taught improvisation techniques to a student from UNC Charlotte, focusing on applying major and melodic minor scales over chord progressions. The learner practiced improvising over B flat major/E flat 7 and a C major turnaround, and also began analyzing the chord progression of "Bye Bye Blackbird." For homework, the student is to learn the melody of "Bye Bye Blackbird" and apply the discussed scales over its chord changes. The next lesson is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 PM (Giacomo's time).