Nicholas Vaz Guitar, Music Theory, Ear Training, Composition
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The Method

Have you ever wanted to learn music only to have been overwhelmed by Music Theory, Complex Jargon and Mathematics? Then these lessons are for you. If you have ever tried to understand music but have lost interest due to the scientific and rigid approach of modern teaching; This is what you need.

Music is one of the most peculiar and fascinating art forms to have been born out of human civilization. It exists at the intersection of Physics, Psychology/ Philosophy, Mathematics and Time, and yet it cannot be understood simply by analyzing these properties in isolation.

This approach to teaching is highly interactive, where it allows the student to consciously apply their mind to reveal the underlying logic and science of Music. Rather than simply hand the student terms like Diatonic harmony, my teaching method allows the student the reach that same conclusion using their own Ear and Mental faculty, in a more fulfilling and rewarding way.

My philosophy is that, "There is no Music Theory without Music". It is the Music that came first and the Theory is simply our effort to analyse the result. For anyone who has gotten lost or misguided by rigid teaching methods; This approach will equip you with the ability to understand and perform not just the music that you hear now but also the music that you have yet to imagine.

The fundamentals of Rhythm, Melody and Harmony are understood by both the musically literate and otherwise, across all cultures. With this in mind we should never lose sight of the fact that although Music can be reduced to a science, it is not borne out of mathematics. These are simply the tools we use to analyse and unravel the logic, which happens to reveal patterns of mathematical beauty that we have found within the Musical elements.

Over course of these lessons, the student will learn to engage, listen and absorb Music in its most organic form, through their ear and instruments. With carefully thought out direction, they will encounter several puzzles, riddles and mind games. which they will solve through an extremely interactive and mentally engaging process; The answers of which will describe and reveal some of the most complex aspects of music in an effortless and extremely personal way.

A Brief Overview

I am a 29 year old, Composer/ Musician/ Live Artist and Writer from Mumbai, India. My musical journey started from the early age of 3. Being exposed to an abundance of Classical music before understanding the foundations of Music through the Orff Method. Following which I studied Western Classical Violin from the age of 7 - 18. During this time I gave two Trinity College Certificate Exams (Grade 3 and Junior Performers) as well as playing as part of second violin section of the Bombay Chamber Orchestra.

While my formal background is largely classical, I gravitated towards the Guitar as I began to explore Harmony and Rhythm more intently as I began my compositional journey and soon Guitar became my primary instrument. Over the course of my guitar playing I took to the stage, as a Live performer playing styles ranging from Rock to Jazz, and Classical to Afrobeat and Hip Hop among others. Along side writing and performing my own original compositions.

Having learnt Violin formally, I chose to approach the Guitar alone, from a purely auditory perspective. This lead me to develop a holistic method, that focuses on understanding Music as a whole, allowing us to analyze and absorb its nuances without segregating its elements. Resulting in the overall development of ones ears, physical dexterity, improvisational prowess, conscious emotion and quick thinking.

Being a self taught guitarist, I have found myself able to help and teach the instrument well to a vast range of students. Whether you are looking to better your technique, understand basic or complex harmony, refine your ear or sharpen your compositional skills, these lessons will provide you with a fun and thought provoking way not just to play/ perform better, but to navigate music and to understand life. The benefits of these classes and exercises will be lifelong and you will find that they will enhance and ease the ways in which you interact with not only sound but the world at large.

Subjects

  • English Beginner-Expert

  • Guitar Beginner-Intermediate

  • Music Composition Beginner-Intermediate

  • Ear Training Beginner-Intermediate

  • Music Theory and Music foundations Beginner-Intermediate

  • Harmony Beginner-Intermediate

  • English (ICSE) Beginner-Expert

Experience

No experience mentioned.

Education

  • LLB (May, 2013–Apr, 2016) from K.C College of Law, Mumbai
  • BA. English Literature (Jul, 2009–Aug, 2012) from Bachelor of Arts (St. Xaviers college Mumbai)
  • Higher Secondary (Jul, 2007–Jun, 2009) from St. Xaviers college Mumbai
  • Secondary (Apr, 1996–Apr, 2007) from campion school

Fee details

    ₹1,000–1,500/hour (US$11.89–17.84/hour)

    Fees can be reduced further if students have a group of 3 - 5 people.

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