Michael Silvestri guitarist

I accept a limited number of guitar students - as time allows.

I teach people of all ages how to play the guitar. My students range in ages fro 6 to 60.
I teach at my home here in Limington, Maine and also in Portland Maine here at Buckdancers Choice Music Store


My approach to teaching guitar is a bit unique I think - since I dont always do it the same way with every student. Thats what makes it fun and a learning experience for me. I have been called a master guitarist and a virtuoso - but in fact - I am just a perpetual student of the instrument I love. I share what I know with my students and I learn from them as well.

I have been playing, teaching and learning for over forty years and I still find there is so much to learn. My students teach me - while I share what I have learned. It s a great thing. The more I learn - the more I realize how little I know.

I do enjoy teaching ALL styles of music pertaining to the guitar. Thats what enables me to be exposed to all different types of music and guitar playing, so there is much music I wouldnt probably ever get a chance to hear - and also I expose my students to music they may never get a chance to hear. What a wonderful collaboration. More than once I've had students ask me - who is teaching who? - as i learn and share what I enjoy to do most - play music!

If you are interested in learning guitar from me you can e mail me at silvestri@pivot.net or at Buckdancers Choice Music Store

Yes!!! Classical guitar lessons here in Maine - thats my primary instrument.

Sometimes , I think that the term  "classical guitar" turns prospective students away. It shouldnt. There is a wealth of musical literature thats available to students. I am primarily a "classical guitarist". That is my specialty. So the music of Fernando Sor or Francisco Tarrega or Mauro Guilliani - just to mention a few of the clasical icons of the instrument - pioneered by Andres Segovia -is the basis for many of todays contemporary popular guitarists techniques.

My approach to teaching classical guitar is very different than most. That is to say - I like to have students playing music right away. So much more fun that way. I like to make very easy arrangements of music that a first year student can play and feel a sense of accomplishment.

There is no end to the complexities of the guitar. We are all always learning and trying to improve.

Whe better to learn the intricaies of fingerstyle folk guitar music and techniques other than a classically trained guitarist?

Its easy to see the difference between a self taught and classically trained musicain. Its easy for a teacher trained in that fashion to point out to a student the differences in these various techniques and styles.

I have always had an interest in all styles of guitar playing - I always stay open to it. The early fingerpicked styles pioneered by John Fahey and then later improved upon by Leo Kotke were originated from the arlier blues styles of Mississippi John Hurt, the Reverend Gary Davis and the likes of Fred Mcdowell - just to mention a few.

Here we can look at these styles of playing and not try to just duplicate them - but learn from them. These are the things I do with my students learning fingerstyle or sometimes referred to fingerpicked guitar playing.

Here is an example of Ben playing solo classical guitar - a Malaguena - a arrangement I use with my classical students.

Click on Malaguena to listen.

I think Ben was 12 years old when he recorded this - a first year guitar student. Ben and I plan to record some classical guitar duets by Fernando Carulli. We heve performed them for his High School guitar class.

Another solo piece by Ben click on Valse to listen to this piece by composer Fernando Carulli.
This is in the style of Andres Segovia - and at 12 years old!!!

Ben is 16 now - heres what he sounds like now!
Ben and I doing the Carulli duets.

Click on Allegretto (Carulli)

And Andante 1 (Carulli)

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Here is an example of one of my bass students and I doing a Latin type thing I composed.

Click on Gregs Bossa to listen


Here is a perfect example of a student learning bass guitar and following a chord chart to be able to play in the High School jazz band or even a regular business band.

I think Greg was 12 or 13 yrs old when we recorded this.

Another one here with Greg - click on Gregs Bossa 2 to listen.

There will be more coming from Greg soon!!! This guy is good!!!

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Another one of my students
I'm just doing the background chords - Nick is doing the improvising!! Nick and Me jamming here - click on
Nick - Me and JJ

Nicks friend JJ banging on a guitar!!! JJ is giving us some percussion. We are having fun!!!! This is a very down and dirty - spirt of the moment recording.
More coming from Nick and me also - he is now studying classical guitar!!!
Guess I'm a bad influnence!!

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Check this out!!! Ross and me jammin. Ross is 16 yrs old! He is doing the improvising - I'm just laying down some chords. Click on Ross and Me to listen to another one of my students.

And More from Ross and me

A Latin Piece

Another Latin Piece

Revenge

Silk Soft

More students coming!!!

This was a concert I did at the Steep Falls Library with some very gifted students. Click on Video to watch it.