Wayne Fugate

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

These days, there are seemingly endless options available for learning to play the mandolin. Books, DVD's, On-Line Music Schools ... all of these are helpful and certainly have their place. However, to fast track your ability to play and enjoy the instrument and to take your musicianship to the "next level" nothing beats lessons given one-on-one, either "live" or via Skype.
 
BACKGROUND:
I teach mandolin (and entry-level guitar) from my home in Chester, NY (Orange County) and via Skype. I've been playing and teaching mandolin for over thirty years and have made my musical home in the American roots styles of bluegrass, blues, jazz, and old-time ... with a healthy dose of Classical, Celtic and Choro music thrown in for good measure. I have performed with some of the country's top string instrumentalists in venues ranging from coffee houses to Carnegie Hall and have studied extensively with mandolin greats Barry Mitterhoff (Hot Tuna) and Mike Marshall (David Grisman Quintet and other projects too numerous to mention). Along the way, I've authored two (soon to be three) mandolin instruction and tune books. Believing that the musical 'path forward' is one that never really ends, I continue my own studies at seminars, workshops and with a few private teachers throughout the year.
 
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
I teach students at all levels, from complete beginners just getting started to advanced students looking to expand their skills and musical horizons. I strive to provide an alternative to the cookie-cutter approach found in many method books, academic music programs, and internet instructional resources. In doing so, I work with each student to create a unique course of study that carefully considers who they are, what musical goals and interests they have, how they learn, and whatever unique challenges that may arise during the learning process.
I try to make the lessons as "self-guided" as possible (you tell me where you want to focus and what material you are interested in), while still getting across the technique and concepts that will help to take your musicianship to the "next level". I have found that this approach helps to make the lessons immediately more relevant ... and fun!
 
THE DETAILS:
Lessons are typically one hour long and can be scheduled on either a weekly or a bi-weekly basis. There is never an additional charge if we go over our allotted time by a bit, as we sometimes will when things get interesting.
I encourage my students to record their lessons so that they can review and reinforce important things that we cover. I confess to being a big believer in investing the time needed to read standard notation and to understand some basic theory but we don't have to begin with that ... or ever touch on it if you're completely averse to the idea. I can help you to play by ear or we can use TAB if that is your preference.
My responsibility is to make these lessons as valuable to you and as much fun for you as I possibly can!
 

My Musical Education Background

I've attended certificate programs at the Berklee College of Music and studied with two of the best mandolin players in the world - Mike Marshall and Barry Mitterhoff. I've also taken private lessons with a variety of other instructors that are on the faculty at Berklee.

Genres and Subjects Taught

Bluegrass (and related 'Roots' music) Jazz/ Swing, Celtic, Quebecois, Classical,

Music Theory

Lesson Rates

Current Rates (Jan, 2022)

$75/ Hr

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I welcome all ages and all skill levels

My Certifications and Awards

I've attended certificate programs at the Berklee College of Music and have played at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway with Steve Martin in his show "Bright Star"

My Musical Influences

In general, I've been influenced by all the greats from Bach to Bill Monroe to Bird and the Beatles. I've studied with two of the best mandolin players to be found anywhere on the planet  - Mike Marshall and Barry Mitterhoff and they too, have had a profound impact on me.

Service Area

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