Alexander Edward Baker
About
Hi, and welcome to my teaching profile.
Main subjects and instruments include electric guitar, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele, cajon, drumkit, music theory, improvisation, percussion, aural skills (ear training), eurythmics (internalizing rhythm), sight-reading, classical guitar and flamenco guitar.
Lessons are fun, engaging and educational.
Have taught at several schools and institutions, St. Josephs Marist college, Rondebosch boys prep, Edgemead High school,
Camps Bay primary school, ALAS school of performing arts,run a successful teaching business and now teaching online.
Students receive practical instruction as well as media in the form of .pdf (sheet music) and .mp3 (audio excerpts).
Sheet music is usually in easy to read TAB format, however notation can also be provided.
Students can be of any age to start learning guitar or other subjects/instruments.
You don't need to know how to read music notation in order to learn how to play but it does help to understand some things in the sheet music or TAB which includes rhythm, strumming patterns, chords, techniques and more. If you want to be able to read music notation I also teach that and make it simple to learn. Music theory and related subjects are taught with the key element being on practical understanding.
In addition, I teach other subjects like cooking and nutrition, which help with college and school or in business when you're wanting to be healthy and able to concentrate. Diet and rest are very important as is stretching and breathing.
Whatever music you're into or wanting to learn I can teach you. Have taught hundreds of students, and there's not enough space on this website to fit in all the songs that I've covered with students over the years. (Honestly, it's a lot and students never stop coming up with new stuff they want to learn.)
Whatever music you're wanting to create I can help you create. Compose your own music, write it out note-for note, rehearse and record. If you're looking to create your own music, we can focus on enhancing your creativity and effortlessly expressing yourself on your chosen instrument.
If you want to play in bands, join a jam group, or do live performances we can do that too. Whether that's getting ready for an important performance or examination, doing an open mic night, jamming with friends or recording your first song.
Some examples of music/artists that you might want to do. (You can submit any requests you have for any songs you want to learn, these are just examples).
Classical guitar - composers like Barrios, Granados, Sor, Carulli, Bach - and players - Bream, Segovia, Williams. Flamenco - Paco de Lucia, Paco Pena, Juan martin, Gabrielle and Rodriguez. Metal - Metallica, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Asking Alexandria, Bullet for my Valentine, Lamb of God, Blues/Rock - Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ top, Rolling Stones, White stripes, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Alternative - Foo fighters, Nirvana, Muse, Soundgarden, Pearl jam, Kings of Leon, Incubus Indie - Death cab for cutie, Interpol, the strokes, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys Folk - Bob Dylan, Lord Huron, Flora Cash, Tracy Chapman Punk - Green day, Blink 182, The Ramones, The Clash, Rock - AC/DC, Queen, Pink Floyd, Lynard Skynard, Fleetwood Mac, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi Pop - The Beatles, Taylor Swift, U2, Ed Sheeran, Goo goo dolls, Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Folk-Rock - Mumford and sons, Simon and garfunkel, The Lumineers Pop/Rock - Coldplay, Red Hot Chili peppers, Sublime, Heavy Rock - Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, Billy Idol, Breaking Benjamin
There's a lot more!!
Students are encouraged to share their favourite music and what they'd like to learn.
Lessons typically include:
1. Practical instruction of a song you'd like to learn. (Or a piece I've chosen).
2. Accurate sheet music (PDF) showing you how to play the music you're working on. (Available in TAB or Notation).
3. One-on-one lessons where you can ask questions, take notes, try out various riffs, pieces, songs, licks, scales, etudes, rudiments etc and you'll get feedback and expert advice.
4. Studies, exercises, scales, arpeggios and technique building exercises to further improve your technique on your chosen instrument are also taught live in person. Usually I'll send you a .pdf file with the exercises in easy-to-read TAB and can also send .mp3's so you can hear how it's meant to be played.
5. Unique, custom material tailored towards your needs. I create music and exercises via software on my computer so I can send you music that will help you specifically as well as any unique songs or content you want to learn that you can't the music for. (I'll figure it out by ear).
6. General instruction and knowledge. (Like how to setup a guitar, tune a drum head, warm up your voice, or get ready for a performance.)
**Music theory, Eurythmics (the internalising of rhythm within the body), Aural training and Sight-Reading are incorporated into lessons as you would prefer. I will sometimes bring up these subjects but it's your choice whether you want to learn them or not.**
*Not everyone is big into theory or sight-reading for example, but then we work more closely with the ear and feel. Also guitars and basses as well as ukulele are often done in tablature for which no prior sight-reading skills are necessary.
Practicing:
Frequent Practice. 15 minutes three days a week is better than one mammoth session per week. It’s how frequently you practice that matters the most, not the length of time.
Actual Practice. There is a difference between practicing and playing/performing. The first is for developing skill, the second is for enjoyment and relaxation. The more time spent developing skill by practicing, the more enjoyment and relaxation you will get when playing. Know what you need to practice and practice it first. Practice slowly before practicing at speed. Practice your music/exercises in sections.
Ending practice. Once you have shown improvement, no matter how small or feel you have made progress, it may be time to move along, or perhaps take a break. (Have a nap, eat something healthy, or talk with a friend for example). Have an allocated time period for your practice sessions and keep to that time period. Try not to spend too much time over one thing.
Diploma in Classical Guitar performance (UCT) Diploma in Audio engineering (Cape Audio College)
Practicing
Frequent Practice. 15 minutes three days a week is better than a 1 hour long session per week. It’s how frequently you practice that matters most, not the length of time.
Actual Practice. There is a difference between practicing and playing/performing. The first is for developing skill, the second is for enjoyment and relaxation. The more time spent developing skill by practicing, the more enjoyment and relaxation you will get when playing.
Here's some tips for actual practice:
1. Know what you need to practice and practice it first.
2. Practice slowly before practicing at speed.
3. Practice your music/exercises in sections.
Ending practice. Once you have shown improvement, no matter how small or feel you have made progress, it may be time to move along, or perhaps take a break. (Have a nap, eat something, or talk with a friend for example). Have an allocated time period for your practice sessions and keep to that time period. Try not to spend too much time over one thing.