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Curt Brady
- Hampton, VA 23664 (map)
- (757) 822-0429
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Guitar Lessons In Your Home or In Studio
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Curt Brady • Hampton, VA
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Curt Brady offers guitar lessons in Hampton, Newport News, Yorktown and Poquoson.
With 35+ years' experience, Curt is a retired US Army musician and former guitarist for the US Continental Army Band at Ft. Monroe and The US Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany. He teaches all styles, electric and acoustic (sorry, no classical) and can also provide instruction on music reading and music theory.
Ages 10 to adult are welcome. Lessons are available at Langley AFB and Jeff's Guitar Warehouse in Newport News. Rate is at $23/30-minute lesson.
In-home lessons are available at $25/30-minute lesson.
Reviews
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February 28, 2012
My daughter has been taking guitar lessons from Curt Brady since September. He came highly recommended from a friend whose son had taken lessons with Curt for years. My daughter likes working with him because he is patient with her and, as she says, does not "get all riled up". We feel that Curt is nurturing her musical abilities in a very positive way. We really appreciate that he is willing to come to our home for lessons; on top of that, he is very considerate in that he always calls if he gets stuck in traffic! I would definitely recommend Curt if you are considering taking guitar lessons.
– Francine
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February 28, 2012
I've learned a lot about playing bass under the guidance of Curt Brady. He is an exceptional instructor. He has been really patient as I progress along learning bass. He makes learning fun and the class goes by so fast, I never want to leave. He has so much experience and is a great guitarist. The kind that blows you away! I feel privileged when I am able to play along with him. He will teach you to play any song you desire. I have some pretty interesting taste in music. I go from blue grass, alternative, and then to rock. If you desire to expand in your playing, want an instructor who is experienced and awesome, then I recommend Curt Brady. I look forward to my lessons weekly.
– Ana Marie
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5/5 stars June 27, 2011
My son had his first guitar lesson and Curt was great. The lesson ended on a very positive note and my son was excitied to start practicing
– Sarah
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June 22, 2011
Curt in a word is "Genius". Yes it takes skill to be able to play just about anything, but it take even more skill to teach that to someone else.
My 12 year old daughter has been taking lessons from Curt for 2 years and counting...with no intentions of stopping!
When she started, she knew not one chord and had only one strumming pattern...lol. And, couldn't read any music. Currently she can play 20+ songs from memory, including an 8 minute song known as "American Pie". Genre's range from 60's to current music. Yes, I did say 60's. Definately well rounded.
He met my daughter and I at a local Guitar shop and spent 2 hours with her and I testing new Acoustic/Electric guitars for sound quality and playability, as well as what was most comforatble for her. He and my daughter agreed on the same guitar. That is a sign of a dedicated teacher.
Not only has he been teaching my daughter to play but also to read music. All at the same time.
His methods are his own and unquestionable. Boy is he good.
I sit outside the room during lessons chuckling while I listen to them too have there conversations. He laughs at her jokes and listens to what's new in her life as well. Yes, she is a girl. Some times I water up when they play together and she is matching him chord for chord.
He isn't there just to earn a paycheck. He is truly passionate about what he does and wants to see you succeed. I can't speak for other guitar teachers, but, as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
He's the only one I would recommend!– Billy
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June 10, 2011
Curt is an accomplished player who took me from barely knowing one end of the guitar from the other, to aptly knowing my way around the instrument.
When I started learning, one of my goals was to gain enough experience to start teaching lessons on my own. Thanks to Curt and his teaching style and skill, I realized that goal after just a few years. He gave me the theory and foundation I needed to teach students. One of my other goals was to be able to play along with my favorite tunes. I've also realized that goal.
Curt is versed in several different genres, which means he's equally adept at teaching classic rock, alternative, jazz, country and everything in between. He's also comfortable with different styles. Fingerstyle guitar? Lead guitar? Slide guitar? No problem.
It doesn't seem to matter if you're young, or just young at heart, Curt is able to adapt his teaching style to you. He really takes the time to make sure you understand the lesson.
If you're looking for a professional instructor to take you from playing Guitar Hero to playing the real thing, Curt comes highly recommended.– Steven
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June 10, 2011
Fabulous! Best guitar teacher ever :-> Mr Brady has taken our daughter from a complete beginner to a very motivated and accomplished student. Lessons with Curt are the highlight of her week and she loves that he can work with her on any type of music that she is interested in. We plan to continue the lessons with Curt and would enthusiastically recommend him to anyone seeking instruction.
– Suzy
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June 10, 2011
I am a 50 year old woman who has gotten a late start on learning to play the guitar. I've had various other instructors but I have to say Curt Brady has been the most effective teacher. He is a genius in taking a piece you would like to play, putting it down accurately on paper, and making sure your technique is correct. I am one who is only motivated to play if I truly love what I'm playing; so he worked well with me!
– Susan
Question and answer
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. An effective guitar teacher should have experience in a wide variety of music. Also, try to find someone who understands that all students have unique interests and learning styles. What works for one student doesn't necessarily work for another. And watch out for teachers who have written their own method book and insist that you buy it.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. There are a lot of guitarists out there who can play very well but aren't good teachers. This is often because they themselves don't have a clear understanding of what they are doing. This happens a lot because the guitar is very easy to learn by ear without any formal knowledge of music. If you find a teacher who can teach you the mechanics of music you will progress much more quickly than learning to play by rote. It's sort of like learning to read--you don't memorize each and every word in the language, you learn how each letter sounds so you can figure out the words for yourself.
Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?
A. You should ask about experience and teaching philosophy. If you want to learn how to play blues, you don't want someone who only teaches Beatles songs. You have to be careful to find someone who can teach you what you need to know, not just what he or she is good at. You also have to watch out for the "macho" factor. I've had many students complain that a former teacher was more concerned with showing off than with teaching.
Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?
A. You have to understand that learning a musical instrument requires commitment. It's not going to be an easy, overnight process. Especially in the initial stages, you must be willing to work. On the guitar you have to develop the hand strength and coordination just to get the notes out, and that takes time. You must also realize that the quality of your guitar is a huge factor in your success. It is best to check with a teacher before buying a guitar. If your guitar came from a big-box store or a toy store, you probably don't have a very high quality instrument. You don't have to spend a fortune, but you do need to be willing to invest in a good student-level guitar.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. The thing I like most is what I call the "light bulb" moment. That's when you see a student make an important connection and gain a new level of understanding of what he or she is doing.
Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?
A. I read a lot of trade publications and also get a lot of information from the web. As far as education goes, I am three credits shy of completing my BA in music. Should be done by the end of this year.
Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?
A. On-line instruction has been huge of course, but you have to watch out for people who don't really know what they are doing. There is a lot of good stuff out there, but a lot of incorrect information is floating around in cyberspace, too. One-on-one private instruction is still the best way to go. You can't ask questions to some guy on YouTube.
Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?
A. I would advise them to first purchase and read an e-book called "How to Make a Living Teaching Guitar" by Nick Minnion. It's available on his website, www.teachguitar.com. I'd also encourage them to take on one or two students, just to try it out and get a feel for it. You don't even need to charge anything at first.
