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November 30, 2007

Music Lessons From Laura Veirs

Now you too can learn to be a treasured troubadour of the Portland singer-songwriter ilk. Learn from one of the bespectacled best, right there in Oregon's 97211. Laura sent out this little note to her newsletter list (thanks fanboys and girls for sending 'em in, not like we aren't subscribed ourselves):

Guitar, Banjo and Songwriting Lessons
$50/hour
Alberta Arts District location
**************************************

What I Teach:
-- Guitar: country-blues, folk finger-style, rock, pop songs, music/chord theory, singing and playing at the same time
-- Banjo: clawhammer/old time songs with an emphasis on singing and playing
-- Songwriting

Teaching Philosophy:
Over ten years of teaching private lessons I've found that this method works: Listen, play and record.
Listen -- We listen to a recording of the song you want to learn.
Play -- With chords and/or tablature as a visual aid, you play through the song slowly.
Record -- I record the song slowly for you to play along with at home.

Each week I give specific homework for students. Songwriting students are encouraged to use "The Artist's Way" as a supplemental text.

Every few months we have "Star Parties" where all my students gather together to present the music they've been working on. These parties tend to freak out some students but ultimately give them a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.

I try to make lessons fun, engaging and challenging.

Caveat:
Since I'm a touring musician I am sometimes gone for weeks at a time. Adult students tend to adapt better to my schedule (kids need more consistency to keep up with their lessons).

Fun! And educational. If you're interested in studying with Ms. Veirs and are in the Portland area, email Clyde at yourheartbreaks@hotmail.com and he'll pass along your info. Cool opportunity (and perfect for gift giving season, eh?). Before you get cynical about her need for a cash infusion, just think about that price. $50/hour? That's cheap, right? Music teachers/students, let us know the going rates these days, but we remember paying $23 for our half-hour sessions with our guitar teachers and/or vocal coaches (both put to good use during Guitar Hero karaoke parties, naturally). For that price we'd rather study both with Laura.

Laura Veirs

Posted at 11:01 AM
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11 Comments

I <3 LV.

Posted by: The Spilken8r at 11/30/07 11:24 AM | Reply
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50 an hour is pretty normal for one on one. If you're in a big city a school like The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago are a good place to go for small group lessons for about $15-20/week.

And of course, don't think being a touring musician has anything to go with weather they're a good teacher.

Posted by: dannygutters at 11/30/07 12:06 PM | Reply
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Man, I wish I lived in Portland.

Posted by: b.e. at 11/30/07 12:23 PM | Reply
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i want to take guitar lessons from laura veirs.
i would if she'd do video chat lessons...

Posted by: alex. at 11/30/07 12:46 PM | Reply
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That's totally cheap. Also, Laura has the raddest house ever. I'd pay 25/hr just to hang out there.

Posted by: D at 11/30/07 2:23 PM | Reply
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Maybe now I can finally get some proper tabs for Magnetized.

Posted by: Todd at 11/30/07 2:46 PM | Reply
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Britt Daniel should give lessons.

Posted by: × at 11/30/07 3:08 PM | Reply
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Agreed, x. I would trade him salsa dance lessons for guitar and songwriting lessons.

Posted by: Erin at 11/30/07 3:36 PM | Reply
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Don't forget she's playing Union hall in Brooklyn on January 27th.

Posted by: craig at 11/30/07 4:00 PM | Reply
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I wonder how much it would take to get her to marry me...

Posted by: The Other Matthew at 11/30/07 6:47 PM | Reply
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The local alternative station is currently running a contest for a guitar lesson with Britt!

Posted by: × at 03/18/08 8:45 PM | Reply
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