B.Mus (Carleton)
Michael Magliaro is a Toronto based guitarist, performer and composer. Growing up in the Greater Toronto area, he performed in a variety of musical groups including Choirs, Concert Bands, Rock Bands, Theatre Pit Bands and Jazz Ensembles. After enrolling and graduating from the St. Thomas Aquinas Pathway for the Performing arts he moved on to Carleton University where he graduated with a B.MUS Honours in Jazz Performance studying with the likes of Juno award winner Jesse Stewart, Wayne Eagles and Dr. James Wright.
He began performing live music in Toronto at the age of 16, playing in Rock cover bands with high school friends. Since then he has played everywhere from dingy bars to public theatres and private art galleries. Michael is currently involved in multiple groups that perform locally, around the GTA and from time to time, as a solo singer songwriter.
Michael’s approach to teaching is based on treating music as learning a new language, “You have to learn to read, write, and speak properly in order to best express yourself.” With a strong background in Music theory, Michael is an advocate and firm believer that a well-rounded Musical Education can help anyone of any age hone the skills they need for everyday life.
Hobbies: Sports (hockey, Soccer, Golf etc.), getting exercise and DIY projects around the house
Get to know Michael…Beyond the Bio!
Musical influences: Frank Zappa, John Pelosi, Wayne Eagles, Michel Delage and Miles Davis
Favourite Food: Anything Mom makes
Least Favourite: I’m usually too hungry to be picky!
Favourite Music: Queen, AC/DC, Frank Zappa etc. It really depends on my mood.
Favourite Song: That’s a tough one, right now I’d say “Good old Fashioned Lover Boy” by Queen
Favourite Movie Music: Loved the Soundtrack in Guardian’s of the Galaxy 2
Favourite Musical Theatre/Opera: The Marriage of Figaro
Best Quote from your Teacher: “Try to hear everything before you play it”
Favourite Quote: “Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST.”
Favourite Book: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Best thing about teaching at ABC: Doing what I love and sharing it with others!
Latest Homework from Michael
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Week Of February 5th
Carson
Continue to work on the notes of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings. Remember to say and play the notes in order to memorize them more effectively. Practice the E minor pentatonic scale up and down, try to memorize the pattern of the scale.
Lili
Practice playing the E minor pentatonic scale up and down using a metronome. Continue working on the Chords for “Can’t blame a girl for trying”. Remember to practice the chord changes slowly in order to get it under your fingers.
Mysha
Keep working on playing the C, D and G major chords. These shapes can be difficult at first as it will take time to find a comfortable position for your wrist and fingers. Continue working on assigned pieces out of your guitar book and the E minor pentatonic scale.
Trinity
Continue to work on the finger picking pattern we were going over as well as notes on the first and second strings. Finger picking takes a quite a bit of patience so don’t be discouraged if you’re having trouble (always practice slowly). Also try and memorize the E minor pentatonic scale pattern.
Week of January 29
Mysha
Continue to work on assigned exercises in your guitar book. Focus on the chords we went over for the Taylor Swift tune, these are essential shapes that will take a bit of work to get under your fingers. Remember to move your thumb in the left hand around to create space under the finger tips if you’re getting dead notes.
Trinity
Continue practicing the studies from your guitar book, remember to use alternate finger picking (walking our first and second finger). The finger picking pattern we went over for the One Direction tune will take some time to learn, take it slow and try to visualize what the right hand is doing.
Preferred Books for Michael’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.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method COMPLETE
The Hal Leonard Guitar Method is designed for anyone just learning to play acoustic or electric guitar. It is based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages, and reflects some of the best teaching ideas from around the world. This super-convenient Complete Edition features the new and improved method books 1, 2 and 3 spiral-bound together.
Easy Pop Melodies
Play your favorite hits from the Beatles, Elton John, Elvis Presley, the Police, Nirvana and more! The 20 songs in this book are presented in order of difficulty: All My Loving * Can You Feel the Love Tonight * Dust in the Wind * Every Breath You Take * I Get Around * I Shot the Sheriff * I Walk the Line * Imagine * Let It Be * Love Me Tender * Maggie May * My Cherie Amour * My Girl * My Heart Will Go On * Nowhere Man * Smells like Teen Spirit * Stand by Me * Walk Don’t Run * We Will Rock You * Your Cheatin’ Heart.