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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Thursday, January 8th
Aleksander
We are currently working on the Outro section of Can’t stop. Aleksander has a good grip on the feel of the song. Now for this final section, pay attention to the quality of each sound, for example, the open hihat, make it ring for the full half note, before shutting it on the next hit. For the last crash hit, muffle it in time. I also advised Aleksander to try playing everything “lazier”, more effortless. This is achievable through feeling the big beat, phrasing towards the backbeat (2 and 4). We will try a play through next class and choose a new song at the end of the class. Also for any class material in the future, please use the following drive link to access.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sVj6uCCJVGLwgQfIvaMBEMscoPLOZwpq?usp=sharing
Zico
We are finally at the end of this song. We played through bar 86 to the end, and though Zico was able to play all the material, what we achieved is sort of like a Frankenstein version, what Zico needs to do at home, is polishing all parts together. That means, setting a speed that is playable from start to finish, identifying challenging spot and practising in and out of that one lick. One other issue that needs some attention is the 16th note rest on each start of phrase (m. 90, 94, 98). This should feel the same as when you play a close hihat at the start of phrase in m.102, but instead of a hit, it is a space. Feel it in conjunction with the bar before. Bar 93 and bar 101 are two challenging licks that Zico has now mastered, but Zico often speeds up there and enter a completely different speed the next bar. Metronome is recommended for that passage. Let’s try to play through next class and choose a next song to work on! Great job overall!
Henry
Pleasure meeting Henry and he is a super smart kid! Introduced him to snare, hihat and kickdrum and his very first beat. Please follow the handout given to him. Practise coordination between two limbs first (exercise 1 2 3), and then combine all together. Also monitor whether or not Henry is able to keep balance between two legs, if not try moving the seat closers or further. We will choose a Beatles song next week as our first song to work through! Also for any class material in the future, please use the following drive link to access.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JKhEMmoKDYk4ElB1cDukgHg8HlgHfQDe?usp=sharing
Homework for Jan. 7-14
Nova
Great work today Nova! Here is this week’s homework:
Recommended minutes to practice: 15-20 per day
What to practice: The Juggler, C scale, Ode To Joy
How to practice:
The Juggler- distinguish between staccato and legato sections. Your staccato is improving- keep up the good work! Remember that the “Bingo was his name-o” theme repeats itself a few times. Pay attention to when right hand responds to left hand with the C and E and when it is silent- at the end of the staccato section it is a rest so do not play.
C scale- two octaves, right hand and left hand separate. Changes happen either with the thumb going under the finger or the finger going over the thumb. The finger alternates between 3 and 4; left hand is the inverted version of right hand (meaning the fingering for left hand going up is the same as the fingering for right hand going down, and vice versa).
Ode to Joy- Review dynamics, will play next week.
How parents can support practice- listen and guide as needed.
See you next week :)
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
