August 2024 Newsletter

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September is all about Harmony!

Over the next three months, we are going to dive in to the three pillars of music: Harmony, Rhythm, and Dynamics. This month will all be about Harmony. From chords to melodies we’ll be covering a wide variety of topics that will help you understand harmony better than you did before.

Student of the Month

August’s student of the month is Henry. Henry began taking lessons with me as a Christmas gift from his wife and he never left! He’s gone from having a few ideas about how to play guitar to a much more well rounded player. It’s ben a great 7 months working with him and I suspect that at his current pace he will be an even more amazing guitar player at the 1 year mark.

Name: Henry

Instrument: Guitar

Time Playing: About 7 Months. Bought it in High School and been “Playing Around” prior

Favorite Song We’ve Learned So Far: Honestly, every song because it takes my playing to the next level and a new favorite song.

Dream Song To Learn: Led Zeppelin – Over the Hills and Far Away

Favorite Activity Outside of Music: Going for bike rides or runs with my wife Mary.

It’s Back To School!

It’s unbelievable that summer is coming to a close. Time flies when you’re having fun. I was able to play a lot of shows this year. Now that summer is winding down, I’ll be back to teaching at various schools. I’m happy to announce that I’ll be teaching at St. Pauls Muskego, St. Johns Milwaukee, Living Hope, and Wisconsin Lutheran High School. I’m excited to work with even more students and schools to help spread the love of music.

Alex’s Cool Music Gear of the Month

Shure SM58

When picturing a microphone in your head, there is a reasonable chance that what you pictured was the Shure SM58. A tried and true vocal microphone that has stood the test of time. It began production in 1966 and has had very few design changes in its life. That’s because it hasn’t needed them.

It’s predecessor (the SM57) is also a very popular instrument microphone commonly used on guitar amps, drum kits, and even more applications. Shure took this design and modified it for vocal use by increasing the treble output on it and adding the silver screen and pop filter to the top.

Since then, the SM58 has been an icon of performance vocal mics for almost 60 years. A traditional wired SM58 costs only $99 these days and it is still one of the best live vocal mics on the market. Wireless variants exist as well and are also widely used all over the world.

Upcoming Music Gigs

This section promotes not just teacher music shows but also student shows as well!

9/1 – Harpts Lake Beach Bar @ Mishicot – Broken Arrow Band
9/13 – Overtime Grill & Pub @ Green Bay – Broken Arrow Band
9/14 – Who’s On Layton @ Milwaukee – Sons of Sconnie
9/14 – Blue Collar Bar & Grill @ Green Bay – Broken Arrow Band
9/21 – Gibby’s Dog House @ Reedsville – Broken Arrow Band
9/21 – Hartford Oktoberfest @ Hartford – Sons of Sconnie
9/28 – Stadium View Bar @ Green Bay – Sons of Sconnie

How Bout Dem Packers?

It’s FOOTBALL TIME! The season is here. I’m just excited to have real games again. The Packers opening game is on a Friday this year. We’ll be opening the season against the Eagles. But this won’t be any ordinary game. The Packers will be playing their first game in Sao Paulo Brazil. The first ever NFL game held in South America. What a way to start the season. Hopefully the Packers can show a strong opening against a tough opponent and in a new environment.

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"...It’s wonderful that my son has found such a great mentor."

“We’ve been with Alex for almost a year now. Our 11yr old son has loved his weekly guitar lessons and has improved so much in this time. He and Alex have established a really solid bond and it’s wonderful that my son has found such a great mentor. Alex is a talented and enthusiastic teacher, and we whole-heartedly recommend him. Thank you Alex!”

– Jess Weber

"My son has come a long way in just a few months."

“My son has been taking guitar lessons with Alex for a few months now and he loves it! He looks forward to going every week. Alex is fun and engaging. He is very student led and lets my son even choose songs that he wants to learn. He also encourages and pushes him in areas that need improvement. My son has come a long way in just a few months. Awesome teacher, highly recommend!”

– Scott Hoff

"I made the decision to learn to play the guitar from an experienced teacher..."

“Alex has the ability to adjust quickly during a lesson to meet a students needs. if I am not grasping a concept he will change wording, demonstrate or find an example in a song from his extensive memory bank. I made the decision to learn to play the guitar from an experienced teacher rather than try to figure things out for myself. I believe this is a good investment of my time and money..”

– Donna Galik

"Highly recommend."

“Alex is a professional both in playing and teaching. He is able to adapt his teaching style to whatever suites your needs, from beginner to advanced. Highly recommend.”

– Kyle Rasmussen

"...He defines a way to do it all intuitively."

“Alex is an amazing and patient teacher! The greatest part about learning guitar from him is that you don’t even realize how fast your progressing as you move from one song to the next. Unlike a traditional approach of learning notes and chords separately, he defines a way to do it all intuitively.”

– Henry Kosarzycki

"We observe demonstrable progress throughout each school year..."

“Our son has been a student for 3 years now and we keep coming back! Alex is thoroughly invested in our student’s success, and he makes such great resources available for practicing during the week. We observe demonstrable progress throughout each school year – a credit to both regular practicing and Alex’s instruction. Thank you so much!”

– Mark Nimmer

"Engaging, thoughtful about curriculum, and flexible throughout...."

My young children began piano lessons with Robin (Robyn?–apologies!) this past summer, and with every session, I’m increasingly impressed with her teaching skills. She’s engaging, thoughtful about curriculum, and flexible throughout, especially when meeting the pedagogical needs of a 7-yo and a 4-yo in the same session. No easy task! I highly recommend her instruction for a welcoming but challenging journey into piano.

– Leslie McAbee

"Our son enjoys practicing and likes that he gets to choose some of the songs he works on."

“Alex has been teaching our 12-year-old drum lessons for almost a year. It has been a great experience for our son. Alex shares his passion for music in a professional way, and works well with kids. Our son enjoys practicing and likes that he gets to choose some of the songs he works on. Alex is a clear communicator, and he is encouraging as well. I’m looking forward to watching our son grow as a musician under Alex’s guidance!”

– Louise Abramowski

"Our Son Looks Forward To His Lesson Each Week."

“Our 8 year old son started drum lessons with Alex about 6 months ago and he absolutely loves it. Alex is so nice, funny, and has a great way of engaging with the kids. He explains things very clearly and our son looks forward to his lesson each week. And he also likes that he gets to play “cool” songs. Thanks Alex!”

– Stacie Hojnacki

"...I look forward to every lesson..."

“I have two sons that are both talented musicians. As they were growing up they had many good teachers throughout the years. They, and I, were fortunate that way. So when I decided to take the challenge of learning to play an instrument myself I had a pretty good idea of what I’d need to succeed and learn.

I found Milwaukee Music Lessons with a Google search, they were close by and had daytime availability which I preferred. I am very happy that I did. I am working with Robyn and she is an absolutely wonderful teacher. She is a patient encouraging person who has taught me so much in such a short time. She takes time to work things out with me at my beginner level, even though she is an accomplished musician. Not every musician has the ability to work with those who are just starting, but Robyn does and I look forward to every lesson I attend with her. She knows how to get the most out of every session and I look forward to continuing my musical journey with her expert assistance.”

– Dave Skowronek

"Could not be a better investment in myself."

“I’ve been taking lessons with Alex for nearly 3 years and it’s been the best! His lessons are very student-led and he will teach me whatever I want to learn, which keeps me motivated, rather than learning from a structured book. Yet he also pushes me when I need it to make sure I’m improving. Not only is he an extremely talented guitarist, but he has an answer for every question, whether it’s about gear or music theory. Could not be a better investment in myself.“

– Sydney Drosen

"Alex Makes Music Fun Again For Me."

“I’m 53 and wanted to expand my music knowledge and better my guitar playing skills. Alex has been able to not only go at a pace that fits my comprehension, but give me lessons to work on at home so I can work on at my own speed. In 1 month of working with Alex, I’ve been able to write a song, understand what key it’s in and come up with a solo that complements the song. It’s mind blowing how simple he makes it to understand. Alex makes music fun again for me.“

– Ken Hanrahan