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!
Coming soon!
Hobbies:
Musical influences:
Favourite food:
Least favourite food:
Favourite music:
Favourite album:
Favourite movie:
Favourite musical theatre/opera:
Best quote from your teacher:
Favourite quote:
Favourite book:
Latest Homework from Gergely
Is Gergely Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
Homework for Jan. 21-28
Dear students,
Great work today! Here is this week’s homework:
Nova
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 per day
What to practice: Juggler, Ode to Joy, C and G scales, theory p. 29, 31 (top exercises only)
How to practice:
Ode to Joy- continue with dynamics. Play with the extremities on both the loud and soft ends. Do not speed up when getting louder, speed should stay the same in every dynamic. For next week bring in a regular version and a staccato version. Practice with round fingers.
Scales- keep practicing the fingering. Remember that the transitions always alternate between fingers 3 and 4, and follow fingering patterns. For next week bring in a regular version and a staccato version. Practice with round fingers.
Juggler- staccato is a lot better! Can still be even more crisp in some spots. Continue working on your staccato articulations.
How parents can support practice: Listen and guide as needed.
Maya
Recommended minutes to practice: 5-10 minutes per day
What to practice: C-D-E, C-B-A (pgs. 6 and 7 in the book)
How to practice:
-Review note names and where they are on the staff.
-C-D-E is C-B-A backwards, and vice versa
-in both songs there are patterns to follow
-you can also pay attention to fingering numbers on the staff and follow along that way
-pay attention to 1 beat notes and 2 beat notes
How parents can support practice:
Supervise her practice and help her with notes, rhythm, and fingering.
See you next week :)
Saturday, 17 January
Jack
Jack is making progress step by step! This class we went from counting to 67, to 9 beat pattern and now repeating a four beat pattern. Practise what is notated on the handout and let’s also work on focusing in class. Keep up the good work.
Nova
Nova worked on the xylophone passage but wasn’t able to practise the drum part for Blink Gone so much. I have now uploaded two instructional videos for the drum beat onto the drive in case Nova gets confused on how to practise them. If we are able to get it polished by next class, we will get some recording going. The recording of Bee Helps is also now on the Drive if Nova wants to give it a listen.
Adam
Adam showed huge progress with the few basic beats on the Drumset Musician handout. He was able to play through 3a and 4a at ease which was rather impressive. We then worked on the song, which Adam was well prepared to play it. However, he is at the moment slightly confused with the repetition. I will encourage Adam to play according to what is on the page, and when confused, refer to the recording, and possibly play with his brother! We might try something new next class.
Santino
Santino seems to be rather busy this week and didn’t get much practise done. I encourage him to put some work in for the exam tune so I can test the brothers on it next week.
Nicolas
This week I transcribed the Hedwig’s Theme for Nicolas to play, and Nicolas was able to play it by the end of class at ease. This is a great opportunity to practise reading every detail on the page, including key signature. I look forward to hearing a polished version of the tune by next class.
Jonah
It was nice to see Jonah again in person. We clarified some of the tricky sections on the last page of Smooth Criminal. Jonah clearly practised over the past few weeks and I am very impressed with his work as he was able to play every lick on the page. What was tricky however, was keeping time between the 32nd lick and getting out of it. When practising it this coming week, I encourage Jonah to count the four beats clearly while playing the 32nd lick, so the pulse is not shaken when getting out of it. I look forward to playing through the song with him next week. Will also look to start new song “Fly As Me” by Silk Sonic with him next class.
Aleksander
Aleksander showed huge progress this class and over the past few lessons, with now completing the song Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Pepper. I was happy to see Aleksander getting a better feel of the groove playing the song, especially his ability to identify the bass line and playing with it. He also showed great progress in recovering after making a mistake. We will be starting When I Come Along by Green Day. Score is uploaded to the drive if he would like to print it out and give it a little read.
Preferred Books for Gergely’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
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
