General Info:
Hello, I am a Berklee College of Music graduate (1999) who teaches lessons on Bass, Guitar and Keyboard (as well as Chapman Stick / Touch Guitar). I primarily focus on theory, technique, and jamming in fun and creative ways. I've taught lessons to students of all ages, levels, and abilities. Over my 20 year playing career I have taught and performed rock, jazz, fusion, funk, blues, reggae, prog-rock, pop, celtic, bluegrass, classical and more. I toured nationally with the popular jamband Uncle Sammy as well as eclectic VT banjo/pedal steel guitar wizard Gordon Stone. I currently play solo shows on the Touch Guitar (www.warrguitars.com) and frequently appear with up and coming folk-rock band The Grass Gypsys (www.thegrassgypsys.com) I also play bass with guitar legend Gary Backstrom (formerly of the band Jiggle the Handle) and perform with Gary in our Todd Rundgren tribute band called Road to Utopia (www.garybackstrom.com). More recently I have begun playing with former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom "TC" Constanten in the group New Moon Review. I tailor my lessons around my student's personal goals by applying music theory and practicing techniques in creative and fun ways. Many music students (including myself) have spent too much time focusing on the negatives of learning the craft of their instrument. The music student's mantra sometimes seems to be, "I suck, I'll never learn all of this, he/she is better than me, I'll never do this. . ..too old to begin the training, etc." My goal as a teacher is to encourage my students to chill out, have fun, focus on what it is that they want to achieve on their instrument and find a practice plan in which to make music fun, creative and interesting enough that you keep playing and improving. Regardless if you are a beginner, intermediate or professional; if you are looking for a fresh approach and want to try some new ideas then I can help you out. I can also help with writing music, putting lyrics to music, band coaching, etc. Give me a call or email to discuss rates and availability. I teach out of my home studio in Jamaica Plain; which is a short walk from the Stony Brook or Jackson Square T stops on the Orange Line. Thanks, Brian O'Connell 617-947-8983 vinniechops (AT) hotmail.com www.reverbnation.com/brianoconnell