Mandolin Lessons

I offer private lessons for mandolin and tenor banjo from my home in Portland, ME.  I try to keep things relaxed, and I tailor my approach to the interests and needs of each student. I teach primarily “by ear”, with a few chord diagrams and charts. We can use sheet music if you prefer, but most students find  the experience of learning by ear satisfying.  I’ll explain a bit about chords, scales, and music theory as we learn specific tunes and songs in our lessons.

Since most of the teaching is listening rather than reading,  I use a digital recorder to record examples during our lesson, and then I e-mail these clips to you as MP3’s.

We can work on whatever style of playing interests you.  I have played mandolin for over 20 years, and  the repertoire for contra dancing provides not only a great  mix of fiddle music ( Irish, Scottish, Old-Time, French Canadian, Scandinavian, etc) but also rock and roll, swing tunes, blues, or anything else that the dancers like.

I have worked with students under 12 and over 80, and I enjoy getting to know each student and helping them to set and meet their goals.

In addition to  giving private lessons, I also teach mandolin at Maine Fiddle Camp in Montville, ME (which I highly recommend!) — Check out www.mainefiddle.org for more information. I have also taught at  David Surrette’s March Mandolin Festival, and at traditional music and dance weekends across the country.

For more about lessons, call: (207) 837-8249

…or e-mail me: GlenLoper(at)gmail(dot)com

TESTIMONIALS:

“………Glen, I just have to tell you that I love my mandolin lessons!  You are a terrific teacher.  I have had music lessons in the past…piano, and full kit drum lessons and conga lessons, and you are by far the best teacher.   The others could play their instruments really well, as you do, but they seem to wig out on the teaching aspect.  Thanks so much for sharing your gifts and your enthusiasm.  I’m having a ball!!”

—-Sandi, Portland, ME

Zoom/ Webcam Lessons

Lessons via webcam are also available and can be a great  for students who might not have time to travel to and from Portland.

To take lessons via Zoom you’ll need:

1. A webcam with a built in microphone ($20-$30)

2. A Zoom account (free and available at www.zoom.us )

3. A Paypal account (available at www.paypal.com )

Contact me and we can schedule a time to try  it out.

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