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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Feb 28 – Emet, Jayden, Josh, Marshall, Ethan
Emet
Nice job on Blue Orchid! Have a listen to the song and try to play along with it. Focus on the phrasing of each line of the riff, and give attention to the rhythms. Solute Your Solution is also sounding great! Keep practicing that one too. Nice work on Hardest Button to Button! Practice the chords and focus on the different rhythms played throughout the tune. Great work!
Jayden
Nice work on Brand New Cadillac! It sounds great! Play along to the song! Nice work on Sixteen Saltines! Listen to the tune and learn the structure this week. Practice each part we have gone over. Nice work on Hardest Button to Button! Focus on the verse section this week by arpeggiating each chord. We will finish it next time. Great work!
Josh
Nice work on Slim Shady! The next step with this tune is to practice it with proper fingering. The riff is played across 4 frets, therefore we can play one position, and do not need to move our hand. Plant your first finger on the starting note and leave it there. Each finger will play the notes in their assigned frets. I promise this will pay off in the long run! I know it is hard to play with your pinky, but the only way it will get easier is to start using it. Great work!
Marshall
Nice work on It Was A Good Day! Try to play along to the song! Nice work on Here Comes the Sun also! Practice each section of this tune separately, and then try to put it all together! Nice work on Golden Slumbers this week! This is a great one to work on chords and harmony. We will finish this one next time. We could learn the melody to this one as well, at some point. Great work!
Ethan
Nice job on Rock You Like A Hurricane! Keep practicing this one, with both power chords and open chords. Amazing job with the bar chords today! You are improving very fast! Really focus on those two shapes this week. They will take you very far on the guitar! Use Bad Moon Rising and Twist and Shout to practice these bar chords. We will continue to work on this in the coming weeks! Great work!
Feb 23 – Kaylee, Van, Simon, Layla
Kaylee Nice work on Run! Keep practicing those bar chord [...]
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.