B.Mus (Humber)
Simon is a recent graduate of Humber College, being very passionate about both bass and guitar for over 15 years. He is also a prominent member of the Toronto rock scene, having booked venues, and played shows throughout the city. Simon has had the pleasure to study with the likes of Ted Quinlan, Mike Downes and Justin Gray. With 2 years of teaching experience at Long and McQuade, Simon creates a personalized learning experience for each student in a friendly and non-judgemental learning environment.
Simon is mostly focused on his original music in his free time, with a strong love for composition and theory.
Get to know TEACHER…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Writing, Movies, Photography
Musical Influences: Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Courtney Barnett, Daniel Romano
Favourite Food: Tacos
Favourite Music: Rock, Hip Hop
Favourite Song: Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix
Favourite Movie: Bladerunner 2049
Favourite movie music: Submarine
Favourite musical theatre: Singing in the Rain
Best Quote From a Teacher: “Don’t get frustrated when you fail. Use that energy to try it again.”
Favourite Book: Just Kids by Patti Smith
Best thing about teaching at ABC: To have a student feel proud of themselves for how far they have come.
Latest Homework from Simon
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Mar 7 – Emet, Jayden, Josh, Marshall, Ethan
Emet
Nice work on Blue Orchid and Hardest Button to Button! Those are sounding really good. Play along to the songs this week! Great work on Under Cover of Darkness! This song is tough but it is really fun. Focus on the riff in the intro this week. Listen to the song if you need a reference. Try out the chords that we went over, and we will finish the rest next time. Great work!
Jayden
Great work on Brand New Cadillac! That one sounds really good. Play along to the song! Nice work on Hardest Button to Button! Keep working on the chord shapes for this one. It will become much easier if you spend some time with that shape. Nice work on Love Gun! Good choice of song! Practice the riff this week with power chords. We will revisit this one with bar chords. Great work!
Josh
Nice work on Slim Shady! It is sounding great! The fingering is looking much better this week. I would love for you to get your pinky involved though, as this song is played across 4 frets. Nice work on Cake By The Ocean. Focus on that triplet rhythm this week. Nice work on The Fear! Nice choice of song! Work on the riff this week. We will work on the chords next time! Great work!
Marshall
Nice work on Golden Slumbers! I like that you chose to play this one with bar chords. Focus on this one this week. More specifically, focus on the chord transitions. Do this by repeating each chord transition over and over. Each of your fingers will learn where they have to go for the next chord. Nice work on Space Oddity! This one is really fun. Practice this one with open chords. Great work!
Ethan
Nice work on Bad Moon Rising and Snow! Focus on the chord transitions this week. Go back and forth between each chord until it is feeling smoother. Nice work on Scar Tissue this week! Do not stress over the intro riff. There are some really advanced techniques going on there that we will work on over time. Focus on the chords mainly this week. Great work!
Mar 9 – Mike, Katarina, Simon, Layla
Mike Let It Be is sounding great! Keep practicing the [...]
Preferred Books for Simon’s Students
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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.
Alfred's Basic Guitar Method
Recognized for over 50 years as the best-paced and most comprehensive guitar method available, Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method has introduced over 3 million beginners to the joy of playing guitar. This updated and expanded edition features a new layout, making it easier to read and learn. Now included are blues, country, folk, jazz, and rock styles, plus more pop songs! New DVDs with iPod-compatible video are now available for the visual learner, and correlating theory, chord, and pop books ensure that you’ll get everything you need from one complete method. Learning to play has never been easier or more fun than with Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method—the first and best choice for today’s beginning guitar students.
Guitar Grimoire
Every chord of every key and mode is presented with thousands of diagrams and charts. Includes polychords, chord substitutions, inversions and movable voicings.
This indespensable volume belongs in every guitarist’s library.
This book is a “where to” book, showing you exactly where to find any chord in any key on your fretboard. It is a professional reference tool to enhance your music library and playing that you will use for many years to come.