Testimonials

Testimonials from previous/current students:

"I learnt more than I ever did in the past few months with my previous guitar teacher simply because he (Az) can effectively get the message across while keeping the subject matter simple. You won't regret it!"

Arthur Song, age 17, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

__________________________

"Az Samad is a wonderful musician and teacher. He is familiar with a vast array of guitar styles and techniques from classical to contemporary. What's more, he knows how explain the guitar in simple terms."

Eli Harrison, M.Mus. student, San Francisco, California. 

__________________________

"Az has a flawless technique for teaching guitar concepts, and is one of the top guitar players in the Bay Area. I highly recommend him for lessons or gigs!"

Keith Hunter, age 22, SJSU Music Education and Trombone Performance major, San Jose, California.

__________________________

"Az Samad is not only an incredible performer but has the ability to explain the techniques behind his phenomenal playing. His knowledge expands from Classical to nearly every contemporary style under the sun. Along with his teaching skills, Az has the ability to truly inspire his students to be outstanding musicians. Mr. Samad's teaching style is perfect for beginner, intermediate and advanced students!"

Alex Upegui, SJSU B.A. in Vocal Performance, San Jose, California.

__________________________

"Through our weekly guitar lessons, Az has inspired me in fingerstyle guitar. Our musical pursuits in class as student and teacher have broaden both our musical interests in terms of genre; our sources of music come from the current Top 40s to videos on YouTube, to classical sheet music. Az is an awesome teacher who is passionate about every song he plays."

Johnny Wong, High School Student, Fremont, California.

__________________________

"As a student of many guitar instructors, Mr. Az Samad stands among the greats. His humble and patient approach, along with a wide breadth of knowledge, combines to create a perfect learning environment. Mr. Samad has an innate ability to pinpoint problem areas and focus your practice in a way that is enjoyable and highly productive. Simply put, a lesson with Mr. Samad is a truly 'Azesome' experience."

Mason Hutchinson, SJSU Undergraduate, San Jose, California.

__________________________

" My lessons with Az has turned out to be one of the most valuable and worthwhile experience throughout all the time I've spent on the guitar. It is not just the instruction of technique but the impartation of his experiences, thoughts & observations, interjected with humour and good advice that sets him apart from the rest. Highly skilled and an excellent teacher, Az is a must for anyone looking to improve themselves as a guitarist. "

Aidan Chung, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

__________________________

"Az Samad was born to play teach and play the guitar! He is a natural! His style of teaching is easy to understand. Each time I met with him I was amazed at how easily he could get his point across. Every time I asked him a question in class, he was always knew the answer. Az is an excellent teacher! He is patient, kind and an expert at his craft! You will do well to learn from him."

Barbara Ramos, SJSU Music Education Major, San Jose, California.

__________________________

"As a private student of Az, I can simply say that no other private lesson I've attended was as comprehensive for both practical & theory. Not a single minute was wasted. The session I attended filled me full of new knowledge & vision that I later applied to my very own music.

Az was so helpful that he was even willing to let me organize a group workshop for my guitar community, ACPickers. Everyone who attended the workshop had nothing but good things to say and were satisfied with the overall output! I'm already looking forward for the next one which is coming soon at the end of the year!

Az is not only a great performer - full of sense of humor but also great educator who is willing to teach and share all that he has learnt and experienced!"

Yowech Yong, Guitarist and Music Teacher, Malacca, Malaysia.

Teaching Highlights

Recent Workshop:
Tues, Feb 21 | University of Asia and The Pacific, Philippines
Campus Workshop Tour in conjunction with Philippines International Jazz Fest 

Currently scheduling workshops for 2012. Interested in organizing one? Contact me here!

I've Conducted Workshops At: 


___________________

Online Lessons/Transcriptions

Truefire.com Lesson - 4 Exercises For The Right Hand (US$0.99 - includes MP3 and PDF file)

Free Lessons:

Hybrid Chords and the II-V-I Chord Progression (includes MP3 & PDF)
CAGED Fingering Concept
Ideas on how to learn a song
Latah Setinggan Transcription - A section
Score/Transcription for Senja Mula Menangis

And more free lessons on:
www.achordaday.com
guitarharmony.blogspot.com

Selected blog posts:

On composing (March 5, 2004)
On the creative process (March 31, 2004)
Music and inspiration (Jun 1, 2004)
On attending Eric Roche's Residential Guitar Workshop (Oct 10, 2004)
Different aspects of the guitar (Oct 14, 2004)
Random notes about the guitar (Oct 29, 2004)

______________________

I've taught at:

Northern California Music & Art Culture Center (NCMACC) , San Francisco, CA

SF Guitars Not Guns (Beginner and Intermediate Group Guitar Classes) - San Francisco, CA
The Music School, Sunnyvale, CA
Berklee College Of Music (Faculty, Berklee Summer Guitar Sessions 2007 & 2008) - Boston,MA
The North Beach Teen Program Guitar Classes @ Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center - San Francisco, CA
San Jose State University (Co-teacher for Guitar Fundamentals Class and Teaching Assistant for Jazz Improvisation I Class)
De Anza College (Teaching Assistant for Intermediate/Advanced Guitar Class)

And conducted music workshops at:

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, USA. 
Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, California, USA.
Culturefest 2008, Pipestem, West Virginia, USA.
San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA.
Evergreen Valley High School, San Jose, California, USA. (Guitar Outreach w/ Steve Lin)
International College Of Music, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Malaysian Institute of Art, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
AC Pickers @ Freeman Guitars, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Guitar Collection Subang Jaya, Malaysia
Music Hut, Damansara Perdana, Malaysia
Young Choral Academy, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kl SingSong Festival 2006

« [Video Lesson] How Do I Understand Modes? | Main | Wanna Learn Percussive Fingerstyle Guitar? »
Monday
Oct242011

Thinking Of Guitar Lessons? 

Are you a singer-songwriter?

I help singer-songwriters who want their guitar playing to really shine in the context of their songs. I work directly with your music, your songs. I want to help you develop your unique voice. If you have writer's block and feel like your guitar playing is in a rut, I'll show you how to get over those creative barriers and progress to the next level!

Here's what some of my singer-songwriter students have said:

"Can't wait to practice guitar and add these tools you've given me into my songwriting. You're an AMAZING teacher and guitarist, hands down! "

Grace Sng, Emerton Records Artist, Vancouver, British Columbia

"We all know that Az is a great guitarist, but he's an exceptional teacher. Learning guitar with him totally exceeded my expectations. It's not just his attention to technical detail that improved my playing. He adjusted the teachings to my current level of skills and, most importantly, taught me what I want to achieve. Within the first two lessons, I understood the guitar better than I ever had before. I no longer need a chord book. Best of all, I now have the freedom to compose new chord progressions, experiment with new sounds, play around with fingerstyle dynamics, and take my songwriting to a whole new level! Songwriting has become fun again :) Anyone who (like me) has been frustrated writing the same kind of songs over and over again will find new inspirations after learning with Az. You won't regret it."

Lisa Zahran, Singer-Songwriter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Eli Harrison [Photo by: Jesse Hayes]"Az Samad is a wonderful musician and teacher. He is familiar with a vast array of guitar styles and techniques from classical to contemporary. What's more, he knows how explain the guitar in simple terms."

Eli Harrison, Singer-Songwriter, San Francisco, California.

Are you an aspiring Jazz Guitarist?

If you're interested in learning Jazz Guitar - I help you to learn and understand chords, Jazz vocabulary and develop effective practice approaches. Do you love Jazz Blues? If you do, you're in luck because my "Learn to Improvise" course material teaches you how to improvise using the Blues! If you find it difficult to learn and develop a repertoire, I will teach you how to learn new tunes systematically too. (There's a secret to it!)

Words from some of my Jazz Guitar students:

"As a student of many guitar instructors, Mr. Az Samad stands among the greats. His humble and patient approach, along with a wide breadth of knowledge, combines to create a perfect learning environment. Mr. Samad has an innate ability to pinpoint problem areas and focus your practice in a way that is enjoyable and highly productive. Simply put, a lesson with Mr. Samad is a truly 'Azesome' experience."

Mason Hutchinson, Professional Bassist, San Jose, California.

" My lessons with Az has turned out to be one of the most valuable and worthwhile experience throughout all the time I've spent on the guitar. It is not just the instruction of technique but the impartation of his experiences, thoughts & observations, interjected with humour and good advice that sets him apart from the rest. Highly skilled and an excellent teacher, Az is a must for anyone looking to improve themselves as a guitarist. "

Aidan Chung, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Are you a beginner?

If you love guitar and have always wanted to learn it - I can help you on your guitar adventure! Develop good and relaxed playing habits that will allow you to sound your best - right from the start! I've worked with students as young as 4 year olds to adults and seniors who are rediscovering guitar after not playing for years. We'll work on the songs you want to learn. Imagine playing your favorite song at a party at your house or recording your own version of your favorite song! You can do it and I'd love to help you. =)

When I was based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was a co-teacher for the Guitar Fundamentals class at San Jose State University. Here's some words from my students over there: 

"Az Samad was born to play teach and play the guitar! He is a natural! His style of teaching is easy to understand. Each time I met with him I was amazed at how easily he could get his point across. Every time I asked him a question in class, he was always knew the answer. Az is an excellent teacher! He is patient, kind and an expert at his craft! You will do well to learn from him."

Barbara Ramos, SJSU Music Education Major, San Jose, California.

"Az has a flawless technique for teaching guitar concepts, and is one of the top guitar players in the Bay Area. I highly recommend him for lessons or gigs!"

Keith Hunter, SJSU Music Education and Trombone Performance major, San Jose, California.

FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions]

1. Where are the classes held?
At my apartment in Bangsar Utama. It's about a 10-minute walk from Bangsar LRT.
 
2. I've never played guitar or any instrument before. Can I still take your lessons?
Yes, you can enroll in the beginner program. Many of my students in the program have never played guitar before.

3. I work during weekdays. Can I take classes on weekends?
Yes, you can study with me during weekends. Saturday & Sunday mornings between 9am-12noon & early afternoon 2:00-4:30pm are usually possible. Slots are available pending availability. 

4. I want to learn to improvise and compose but I play another instrument. Do you teach other instrumentalists?
Yes, I do. Read more about it here: http://www.azsamad.com/music-lessons

5. I used to play guitar years ago and want to pick it up again. I already can play but want to refresh and learn again. Can you help me?
Yes, I can help you refresh and pick up guitar again. Depending on your interests, the Singer-Songwriter & Jazz Guitar programs are possible choices.

6. I want to learn but I don't have a guitar yet. Can you help me choose a guitar?
Yes. For students who enroll in the 8-Lessons or 12-Lessons Beginner Package - You get a 90-minute guitar shopping consultation (a RM250 Value) for FREE. We will meet and go shopping for a guitar at a nearby guitar shop near Bangsar. Together we'll find a guitar that suits you and the guitar style you'd like to learn. I will work within your budget and let you know what's good about one guitar compared to another.  

*****

I currently teach:

  • In-person private guitar lessons in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • SKYPE live video lessons worldwide. 
  • Private Lessons when I'm on tour. I'll be in Philippines (Feb 2012) & Singapore (March 2012).

Get quality world-class music private instruction customised for your musical style and level of skill at a fraction of the price.

I’ve taught at the Berklee College of Music Summer Guitar Sessions in 2007 and 2008. These week-long summer programs attract talented guitarists from all around the world. They pay more than RM3400 for four days of classes. I taught three sections of group classes called Fretboard Harmony classes.

My students have included Malaysian singer-songwriters Pete Teo, Rendra Zawawi, Ariff Akhir, Lisa Zahran, Amitabh Chandra, Canadian recording artist Grace Sng, classical guitar virtuoso and recording artist Steve Lin and San Francisco based classical guitarist/singer-songwriter Eli Harrison among others.

You can learn from me too, with options to suit your style and where you currently want to go for music direction.

Choose between two options:

1. Masterclasses: 1-2 classes focusing on a few specific areas of your playing.

2. Focused weekly lessons: 3-7 sequential classes, includes weekly assignments that build your skills gradually. Each class prepares you for the next.

You can take a single lesson or save on the hourly rate with a 4-lesson package. Once I receive your booking, I’ll e-mail you to schedule the first session. Lessons are 1 hour long.

1. Single Lesson - RM150

2. Package of 4 Lessons (Save RM60) - RM540 (That’s RM135 per lesson)

3. Package of 8 Lessons (Save RM180) - RM1020 (That’s RM127.50 per lesson)

4. Package of 12 Lessons (Save RM360)  - RM1440 (That’s RM120 per lesson)

If You're Ready To Take Your Guitar Playing To The Next Level,
If You Want World-Class Music Instruction,
If You Want Personalized Lessons That Focus On You,

Send me a message here: http://www.azsamad.com/contact 

Please include:

  • Your name and location  
  • Your musical background (how many years you've been playing)
  • What you'd like to learn. 

I look forward to hear from you. =)

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