Ben Lassiter
Guitar Lessons with Theory Integration by North Carolina Central University Educator
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Guitar lessons - Ben Lassiter
Masters degree
/ 30 min
Ben - Know your guitar teacher
Hey! I'm Ben, a guitarist who loves to help others learn guitar! I've been playing about 25 years and have been teaching professionally since 2005. I can take you from the basics all the way to improvising a solo, or how to write your own songs. I'm comfortable in rock, jazz, blues, r&b, and many other styles. I play acoustic and electric. I can teach you about music theory and how it applies to the guitar fretboard. I help students understand the guitar and understand music. What do you want to learn? That's what we will work on in our lessons. As for credentials, I have a masters of music in Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University, and I got my bachelors degree with a minor in music from Appalachian State University. One of my favorite musical styles to play is swing: the music of Django Reinhardt and jazz from that era really speaks to me.
Strumming made easy in class
89% students say rhythm and timing improved quickly
Guitar lessons have strong results in a short time
91% Parent feel they kids have started playing songs within weeks
Step-by-step guitar classes tracking
86% students see clear milestones across levels
Guitar lessons quick guide
For the adult student, I will ask you, 'What do you want to learn?' The answer to that will be what we will use to structure our lessons. You may need to work on certain right or left hand techniques to achieve what you want to do, so we will develop a plan for that. Many students start by wanting to be able to play a certain song, or the music of a certain artist. For beginners, I break songs down to the first steps, progressively adding more and more layers as your skills develop. I can help you learn to read music if that's what you'd like to do. For younger students, I use method books to guide the creation of basic skills. Parents generally want reading music to be a part of their child's leaning plan, but there many areas of guitar that do not stress that skill. I use backing tracks and play-alongs to augment students' practice experiences. I weave music theory into everything I teach.
Your guitar teacher expertise
Music theory
Chords and Rhythms
Strumming and Picking Techniques
Ear training
Chord Progressions
Scales and Modes
Learning tools used in guitar classes
DAWs
Chord Diagram Apps
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Guitar Tuner Apps
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for Advanced
Guitar for Intermediate
Guitar for Kids
Guitar for Adults
Guitar for Beginners

Guitar concept taught by Ben
The student reviewed rhythms and bow techniques on the violin. The session included practicing rhythms on page 22, working on triplet rhythms with adjusted metronome settings, and adjusting bow placement for better sound quality. The student will continue practicing rhythms with left-hand techniques in the next session.
Rhythm Exercises and Counting
Repeat Symbols in Music
Bow Placement and Sound Quality
Introduction to Left-Hand Technique
Understanding Triplets
The Student practiced violin techniques, including finger placement, intonation, and rhythm exercises on the A and E strings. The Tutor introduced the concept of vibrato and discussed the value of vintage instruments. The Student was instructed to continue practicing the rhythms and notes learned, using a metronome to improve timing and developing their musical vocabulary.
Left Hand Finger Placement
Intonation and Reference Pitches
Rhythm A Exercise
Applying Rhythms to Notes
Bow Technique and Note Duration
Importance of Metronome
In a recent violin lesson in Boca Raton, Ben guided Ryan through exercises focusing on scales, string switching, and intonation. Ryan practiced the A major scale, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with triplet rhythms, and "Lightly Row," concentrating on challenging transitions. They agreed to schedule their next lesson for October 7 at 8:30 Eastern, and Ryan was assigned to continue practicing the exercises and pieces covered.
String Switching
A Major Scale (First Position)
Staccato vs. Legato
Bow Pressure & Pitch
Micro-Moment Practice
During their violin lesson, Ben and Uday concentrated on rhythm exercises and left-hand finger placement to achieve accurate intonation. Uday diligently practiced various rhythms with a metronome and utilized a Panotuner to refine his B note on the A string. Ben assigned practice exercises from page 22 (rhythm B) and encouraged Uday to explore the C sharp note in preparation for their upcoming lesson.
Note Separation
Pitch Adjustment (Left Hand)
Bow Strokes
Rhythm & Timing
Violin Posture
Violin Tuning
During a recent violin lesson, two students, one of whom attends John Muir Elementary School in Glendale, focused on violin tuning. They used pegs and fine tuners to correctly tune the A and E strings. One of the learners then practiced various rhythms (A, B, C, D, and E) on the A string, emphasizing accuracy and consistency with a metronome, and also learned to read the corresponding musical notation. Their next lesson is scheduled for the 11th.
Bow Perpendicularity
Musical Notation (16th vs. 8th Notes)
Rhythm Triplets
Metronome for Slow Rhythms
Violin Tuning (Pegs vs. Fine Tuners)
During a recent guitar lesson, the instructor reviewed guitar techniques, focusing on timing, picking, and CAGED shapes with a learner who resides in Alta Mesa. The learner practiced applying these concepts to a Hendrix riff and the Tom Petty song "Honeybee," working on fingering and transitions. For ongoing practice, the instructor assigned the CAGED shapes, emphasizing root notes and fingerings.
CAGED System
Root Note Importance
Blues Scale
Power Chord
Engaging guitar lessons
Record lessons
Mobile joining
Weekend lessons
Pets are welcomed

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