Multi style guitarist Tom Duarte now taking students in the East Bay (East Bay)
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Want to learn your favorite tunes? Want to advance your musical theory?
I have experience playing pop/rock, blues, funk, classical guitar, country, light jazz,
introduction to Flamenco. I am taking students from 10 years of age up. Music store
location although I can travel to student's home within reasonable distance. My
rates are $60 per hour and $40 per half hour, payable two weeks ahead.
APPROACH TO TEACHING:
My teaching method is somewhat relaxed. I will take the student in the direction
they wish to pursue rather than using the same theory-based regimen with everyone.
To my experience, the student who wishes to learn more about rock, funk and r&b is
not going to be interested in learning scales, whereas a student who wants to learn
more about jazz theory will need to learn scales. I can teach theory and notation
reading as well if they wish to advance in that direction. I am agreeable to working
on specific songs that the student wants to learn as that would apparently be the genre
that they wish to pursue and will be the most enthusiastic about learning. This is also
largely how I learned. I don’t feel that this method is simply copying. Rather, it is a
good means of accessing knowledge of the given genre or style. I have found my
approach to be desirable by all but a very tiny percentage of my past students. I work
well with all ages and I am very aware of current music and play some of it myself
which is advantageous towards working with young people.
TEACHING METHOD AND AREAS OF STUDY:
(Specializing in current pop/rock)
Fingerpicking; Ear training; Using tablature; Working with current and classic
familiar pop/rock songs; Introduction to theory (depending on student aptitude and
desire); Basic jazz theory and working with standards. As previously mentioned, I
am aware of current music and specialize in playing that genre quite a lot at my own
solo gigs.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND:
Life time musician. First instrument trombone, progressing to guitar, piano, organ,
bass, synthesizer, percussion. Performance in several formats; orchestra, four to
seven piece band, trio, duo, primarily solo at present.
GENRES PERFORMED:
Latin based music – Spanish, Introduction to Flamenco, Brazilian, Modern and Classic
pop/rock, Fusion Jazz, Light standard jazz, Traditional classical guitar, Country,
Funk, Blues.
TEACHING METHOD AND AREAS OF STUDY:
Fingerpicking; Ear training; Using tablature; Working with current and classic
familiar pop/rock songs; Introduction to theory (depending on student aptitude and
desire); Basic jazz theory and working with standards.
TEACHING HISTORY:
Guitar instructor at Tall Toad Music in Petaluma 1990 to 2008, taught privately at
student locations during same period and going forward, independently.
PERFORMANCE HISTORY:
TOURING: With Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead keyboardist Merl Saunders during late
90’s and early aughts. Recorded with original Santana and Journey members Gregg
Rolie (keyboards/vocals) and Michael Carabello (percussion).
MUSICAL THEATER: Several productions as principal guitarist for productions
including Jesus Christ, Superstar, Evita, Hair. Man of La Mancha, Bye Bye Birdie,
Cabaret, Hair, Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat, A Chorus Line.
CRUISE SHIP PERFORMER: Performed as principal guitarist and solo lounge guitarist
aboard Princess Cruise Lines in Mediterranean, Caribbean and Australia/South
Pacific.
EARLY GIGGING HISTORY: Four months of folk lessons. Lead guitarist in 60's/Surf
Style band at 5 months. With rock cover bands and country/rock bands alternately,
including Northwest touring country/rock band Phoenix. Began gigging as solo
classical/pop/Latin guitarist during the 80's while playing with fusion/jazz
saxophonist Michael Bolivar and r&b/soul/originals band VinCiVibe.
VENUES PERFORMED:
John F. Kennedy Canter for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.; Fillmore
Auditorium, San Francisco; Warfield Theater, San Francisco; Great American Music
Hall, San Francisco; House of Blues Chicago, New Orleans, Los Angeles; Stone Pony,
Asbury Park, New Jersey; BB King Blues Club & Grill, New York City; Irving Plaza New
York City; Villa Montalvo, Saratoga. Several wineries, hotel lounges, corporate and
private events throughout Bay Area as solo guitarist.
SHARED STAGE WITH:
BB King, Ray Charles, Los Lobos, Michelle Branch, Bonnie Raitt, (Members of Grateful
Dead) Bob Weir, Mickey Hart , Bill Kreutzman; Folk singer Odetta