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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Tuesday December 11th
Carson
Keep working on alternate picking specifically with the G major scale and The Sweater Song
At least 10 minutes a day is all it takes, trying practicing alternate picking a single string while reading a book or watching TV
Lili
Try Spending at least 10-15 minutes a day working on strumming and alternate picking the E minor pentatonic scale
Also practicing alternate picking on the Pirates of the Caribbean Theme
Mysha
Continue Working on Hal Leonard pieces, remember to say and play the notes at least 10 minutes a day
Trinity
Keep working on Ode to Joy while saying and playing the notes as well as memorizing new chords C, G and D at least 10 minutes a day
December 4th – 11th
Carson
Continue to work on alternate picking while practicing Sweater Song, G major scale and G major chord with a metronome. Great job with the alternate picking, you were beginning to pick it up really quickly!
Parents can help by making sure a metronome is being used to practice, there are many free metronome apps that can be downloaded
Great Job this week it was great to meet you!
Trinity
Continue to work on reading notes for the 1st and 2nd string, Say and Play the notes in order to memorize them quicker. Use Say and Play as you practice Ode to Joy in the Hal Leonard book along with a metronome. Great job with Ode to Joy can’t wait to hear your progress next week!
Parents can help by encouraging Say and Play as well as using a metronome to practice
It was great to meet you, keep up the great work!
Preferred Books for Michael’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.
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.