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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Jan 24 – Jayden, Joshua, Marshall
Jayden
Amazing job on Blitzkrieg Bop! I can tell you put a lot of work into it and it paid off! Keep going with that tune, and keep playing along to the song. Playing along to songs is a great learning tool. Nice work on American Idiot today! You are getting really proficient with power chords, and it seems like you like them so we will continue with these kinds of songs. Practice both the chords and the solo. See if you can figure out the rest of the solo! (Hint: it is the vocal melody of the chorus so try to match the notes of the singing in the chorus section). Great work!
Joshua
Nice work on Don’t Go Slow! You are starting to gain some independence between the guitar rhythm and vocal rhythm which is awesome. You have all you need to be able to play and sing the whole song now. Give it a try this week! Listen to the song if you get lost, it is a great tool! Nice work on Cake By The Ocean! This is a fun tune and I am excited to finish it next time. Practice the riff this week! Nice work!
Marshall
Great work on Let It Be! Your bar chord vocabulary is really coming along! Keep working on our process for playing bar chords (Reminder: find the root note, ask yourself which string it is on, choose the appropriate shape and then line your first finger up with the root note). Nice work on Hey Jude! This is a great tune to know. Practice that 7 shape this week, it is a useful one to know. We will finish this one next time. Nice job!
Jan 5 – Mike, Van, Simon, Layla
Mike Come Down sounds great! Focus on the rhythm this [...]
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.
