Guitarist Gergely Szabo has an Advanced Diploma in Music Performance from Cambrian College where he majored in the classical guitar. Over his time there, he completed 2 years of comprehensive pedagogy courses. He also gained well grounded vocal skills, as well as basic knowledge on the piano. Outside of classical music, he exhibits a repertoire of skills and knowledge in playing the genres of rock, blues, and heavy metal music. He has experience in teaching the guitar and the ukulele to a range of people aged 6 to 54.
Gergely’s teaching methods include both the use of books and digital methods. The three main books he uses to teach guitar are as follows: “Guitar Method Book 1 by Will Schmid and Greg Koch,” “Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests RCM Level 1,” and “Classical Guitar Repertoire and Etudes RCM Level 1.” For teaching ukulele, he uses the book “Ukulele Songs for 1, 2, or 3 players by Elizabeth Ragsdale.” Aside from these, he frequently uses the Muse Score application as a play-along practicing tool.
Gergely’s passion for music and his dedication to growing the love of music in others are the biggest reasons why he teaches guitar and ukulele. His approach to teaching involves learning through play. The material he covers with his students is always delivered in a way that is highly interactive. Most of the assigned exercises he gives involve the elements of play that students can enjoy both in class and as homework.
Get to know Gergely…Beyond the Bio!
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Latest Homework from Gergely
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Saturday, March 7th
Jack
Jack is again making progress with the Visual Drumset Method book. This time around I am happy to share that not only is he willing to use right hand for snare drum, but also willing to use the cross hand method to play beats with hihat and snare drum together. I am also easing him into reading actual score through relating it to the graphics. We will pick a simple song next week and try to learn it through reading.
Nova
We are working on Insomnia by EVE for one more week. My goal for them is to play through section A to C and we will call an end to the song. Note all the repetition and all the transition are now the tricky parts. Watch the score following video available below for better hint on how each beat relates to the song.
If the score currently notated on the notebook confuses Nova, here is a clearer score on the Drive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-wuCVCRI2cYEydeiK1QbyYUzIq-uRP1W/view?usp=drive_link
I will also like to get back to some xylophone for next week and make that their homework for March break.
Adam
I continue working on rudiments with Adam, and in the weeks coming, I hope to work on that with the Stick Control book. This class I introduced a new exercise that switches between 8th note and 16th note, and one thing to pay attention to is wrist relaxation and evenness.
Then we moved onto doing more of Enter Sandman. This week we worked on Chorus again. Best way to master this, is practise with the score as much as possible, observe the details, then listen to the song, relate those details to what happens in the vocal or the guitar riff. Another thing to try is to hum the melody with him as he does the cymbal thing at the last bar. We will work towards playing with music under speed next week.
Nicolas
We spent more time working on Merry Go Around today. I have been notating theory homework for him weekly, and hopefully that builds his note reading skill but also make it a habit. In terms of the song, think about how to bring out the right hand more as it is the melody. Adjust through stick height as well as finger control. Also since the song is a waltz, a dance! think about how to sound more elegant and coherent from note to note. Also Hymn of Freedom is sounding really good and we will do some fine tuning of the song when the exam is near.
Jonah
We started the song Superstition by Stevie Wonder. My goal for him this week is to get through page one, and the tricky bars are the last two bars of the page. Make sure to follow the sticking carefully, but also keep a good count of the beats. We will aim to finish the song in the next few classes.
Homework for March 11-25
Maya
Great work today Maya!! Here is your homework for the next two weeks:
Recommended minutes to practice: 5-10 per day
What to practice: Gallop Away, Rainbow
How to practice:
-Rainbow- review
-Gallop- no stopping between lines. When you finish reading line 1, go back to the beginning of line 2. Do not forget the first two bars of line 2. Second last bar, the D has two beats and the B has one beat; make sure the rhythm is exact and do not play it early. Also, review when you’re playing right hand and when you’re playing left hand.
How parents can support practice: Listen and guide for notes and rhythm. Put on the metronome, and make sure she has priority for the piano!
See you in two weeks :)
Preferred Books for Gergely’s Students
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Hal Leonard Guitar Method
The second edition of this world-famous method by Will Schmid and Greg Koch is preferred by teachers because it makes them more effective while making their job easier. Students enjoy its easy-to-follow format that gives them a solid music education while letting them play songs right away. Book 1 provides beginning instruction including tuning, 1st position melody playing, C, G, G7, D7, and Em chords, rhythms through eighth notes, solos and ensembles and strumming.
Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests
