Guitar & Music Lessons with SCOTT SAWYER

Now booking for September 2010 and beyond. Effective August 2010, Scott joins the Faculty at East Carolina University (Greenville, NC) "part-time" where he will be teaching applied jazz guitar and coaching combos.

As a result, limited evening slots (after 6pm) remain.

(From Scott): Since 1980, music has been my full-time endeavor/career. I continue to perform actively, as a bandleader and sideman, and am currently accepting a limited number of students for individual instruction. I enjoy helping others with their music and have about 30 years of experience teaching; instructing many guitarists (from beginners to notable "experts"), other instrumentalists (including pianists, bassists and horn players) and singers. Whatever your level of experience/expertise -- beginning, intermediate to "professional/expert" -- I can likely help you advance your music. 

Singer/songwriters: I can assist you with arranging & production ideas as well as interpretation.

I'm setup to record sessions and can provide them to you at no additional cost (you provide a jump drive or USB memory stick). Sessions take place in my home (North Raleigh, near RDU/Crabtree/Brier Creek) OR I can travel to your home as schedules allow (additional fee will apply, e-mail me for details).

In addition to instructing, I continue to perform & record regularly. I have a great deal of gigging & touring experience both here and abroad; from major festivals and music venues to coffeehouses, clubs and the funkiest dive bars. I've had the good-fortune of performing & recording with many notable musicians. Many recording credits including a Grammy-Nominated feature on Nnenna Freelon's "Shaking Free" (Concord,1997).

I'm comfortable performing in a variety of settings, from solo guitar to larger ensembles (including uncommon instrumentation).My latest album (CD) "Go There" charted on XM Radio "Beyond Jazz" (Jan 2007) and features bassist Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band), keyboardist Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band) and drummer Kenny Soule (Dag, Nantucket). I recently performed live on NPR Radio "The State of Things" with Lois Deloatch... http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot0911c09.mp3/view ...and will appear on her upcoming album as well as Nnenna Freelon's upcoming album (on Concord Jazz).

Styles include jazz (standards, be- bop, post-bop/modern, chord melody, solo guitar), blues (accent on Chicago electric blues), funk, rock, r&b, roots, latin, pop, slide & twang. I can shed some light on a variety of subjects including improvisation, accompaniment styles ("comping"), technique, arranging, writing/developing your own songs and production ideas. I have a great deal of experience working closely with singers (arrangements, lead sheets, interpretation).

NO EMPTY SCALE EXERCISES. All the "music theory" in the world won't help you become a better musician, unless you understand how to make music with the information. As a musician, my goals include being able to express myself freely and fluently...to play what I hear...and to hear what I want to play. I can help you do the same: there is more than one way to get from point A to point B...my methods vary according to the individual student's experience, goals and needs. 

If you want to catch me performing "live", here's where to find me: http://scottsawyer.net/calendar.htm
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...from Bass Player Magazine (June 1, 2009; Chris Jisi)
CJ: What else is on tap for you this year?
OTEIL BURBRIDGE: The Allman Brothers Band will continue what's being called the "40 Years of Highs and Lows" tour, with some west coast shows, all part of a 60- date U.S. tour. While in N.Y., I got to do a gig with GO THERE, who I recorded with in 2006. [Guitarist] SCOTT SAWYER and [drummer] KENNY SOULE are two of my favorite musicians to play with. ...

WHAT DO I CHARGE? Info on Rates and Policy is here: http://www.scottsawyer.net/2010rates&policy.pdf

If you are serious about advancing your music/skills and enjoying the process, please e-mail first with a bit of info about yourself, your experience with music to date, where you are with your music and where you'd like to go with it. Or, phone me at 919-423-4853 (I'll return your call ASAP if you reach voicemail)...Thank You. -- SS 

http://www.scottsawyer.net
http://www.gotheremusic.com