Success Stories
Feb, 2013 – When I started guitar lesson with Mel, I had no prior experience with the instrument. Still I looked forward to my lessons even though I would have been considered an older student. I appreciated his willingness to understand my vocal commitments and ability to tailor lesson times around them. Mel’s guitar instruction has helped me develop by vocal repertoire through his sight reading and note recognition instruction. When I needed extra vocal instruction time, Mel stepped up to the plate, and because of that, I was recently selected to represent Merrimack Valley High School at the NH Allstate Festival in April.
When I decided to take lessons to learn the basics of guitar, I had nearly no background musical knowledge. I listened to music that I enjoyed, and that was as far as I had gone. I am seventeen years old, and I started my lessons only a few months ago. I had always wanted to learn how to play guitar, but I was hesitant because of the fact that I knew almost nothing about music. My experience with my lessons has made me much more comfortable now, though.
I went into my first lesson not even knowing the basics of reading music. Since then, I have learned to not only read basic music but also to play some recognizable melodies using the music that I read. At the same time, I have learned to play several chords as well. The most important thing I have gained so far from my lessons is the ability to pick up a guitar and feel comfortable playing something with it. That was my main goal when I started taking lessons. I have enjoyed every lesson, and I am more than satisfied with the progress that I have made so far.
Jan, 2011
Hi.
My name is Bridget Morrill. I am a student of Mel’s. He has taught me mauy things!
When I first started, I knew nothing and I know everything up to G position!
He is a great teacher and is very patient with his students and will never raise his voice.
If you have trouble with a song, he will help you and walk you through it until you know it inside out.
He is a committed teacher. He is always at your lesson even on very, very, very long days when he has lessons back to back.
Thank you for your time.
Bridget Morrill
Age 8
March, 2013
I started learning guitar with none, or very little, musical background knowledge.
Learning guitar has helped me excel in music more than my peers, because they were just starting to learn the notes and symbols.
I started taking guitar lessons 3 years ago or at the beginning of 4th grade.
Over the years of learning guitar, I have been able to read music faster.
It has also taught me discipline because I have to put in time and good practice in order to learn the song and play fluently.
If I had not started playing guitar, I would not have some of the friends I have, because some of my friends had played instruments.
Overall, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today if I hadn’t started learning and playing guitar.
Noah Gove
Age 10
Feb, 2013
I am 51 years old and have been playing the guitar about 40 years on and off professionally.
It was a little over a year ago my father gave me a banjo and 5 free lessons as a Christmas gift. That is how I was introduced to Steve (the store owner) and Mel (the teacher).
Over a year later, I continue. Taking lessons has been a positive experience. On of the advantages of being a student you receive a discount at the store. I have utilized that on several different occasions.
Mel has been an excellent instructor. I went from not knowing how to play the banjo to not quite Earl Scruggs caliber but getting there.
I have a lot of respect for Mel’s musical knowledge and it has given me the additional motivation to practice on a daily basis – the kind of discipline necessary to become a good musician.
Many times over the past year Mel has gone above and beyond what would be expected of a music teacher. I appreciate that fact that he has a sincere desire for his students to succeed and do well.
Kelly Lawrence
51 years old
Feb, 2013
At 18 years old I purchased a classical guitar and signed up for guitar lessons. I am not musically gifted and struggled with the lessons. There were no music books and at age 18 I didn’t spend enough time practicing. I stopped the lessons, but never stopped wanting to learn how to play.
At a much older age, I started lessons with Mel because he was highly recommended. I have been attending lessons with Mel for a couple years and love playing guitar. There were a few times in which I was frustrated because I could not master some of the chords and didn’t feel I was learning fast enough. Mel encouraged me and reminded me how much I have learned and improved since I began the lessons.
Looking back, I have come a long way and have mastered many of the chords, notes and songs. I have also learned different strumming styles.
Knowing how much I enjoy the lessons and knowing how far I have come since I started the lessons, I purchased a Martin guitar. I absolutely love it. I look forward to continuing guitar lessons and playing my Martin.
Heidi Hutchinson
