I am very selective about who I accept as students.  My teaching schedule is always full, and I have extremely low turnover.  This allows me to choose my students.  I try to choose those who have musical goals and are willing to do the hard work that it takes to accomplish their goals.  I seek students who live and breathe music.  My ideal student is one whose parents almost have to pry them off of their instruments to go to school or to bed.  All of my students are working towards becoming well rounded musicians.  Most are learning multiple instruments and vocal, at the same time.  My specialty is helping them develop the skills and knowledge to become highly sought-after performers.

I might be able to make room for you in my teaching schedule, if you:

• already play an instrument and/or sing at an intermediate or advanced musical level
• want to move to the "next level" and play contemporary music live, either solo or in a band or both
  
• want to develop skills in piano/keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and contemporary vocal
  
• want to be able to play covers by ear, transpose, improvise, harmonize, arrange songs, and write original songs
• crave knowledge of the other aspects of live performance (including marketing, booking gigs, buying/setting up/programming/maintaining musical instruments and sound equipment, finances, how to care for your voice, etc.)
  
• are willing to put in the work it takes to achieve excellence
  
• live in Cache Valley, Utah
  

I use nontraditional, holistic teaching methods that are closer to mentoring and coaching than to lecturing and training.  Although there is much overlap between contemporary and classical music theory and technique, there are some differences.  My primary skill set is geared toward pop, rock, country, and related genres.  For vocal instruction I emphasize breath support, tonal quality, proper technique to allow a smooth "mix" transition between chest and head voices, singing without strain, vowel placement and enunciation of consonants at a level appropriate for microphone use, and most importantly, connecting emotionally with the audience.  For musical instruments, I focus on chord theory (all types of chords in all 12 keys, and chord progressions) that allows students to understand how to play by ear, transpose key signatures, improvise, and arrange.  I teach proper but practical technique, mostly in the context of songs rather than scales and exercises.  I also emphasize tonal quality not only from how notes are played on the instrument, but also understanding the differences between brands and models of guitars and keyboards (right down to which strings sound best on which guitars for what genres, what picks sound best best for which guitars on which kinds of songs, which keyboard patches sound best for various songs, etc.)

Examples of things I do differently than other teachers: on keyboard, I teach chord inversions and note spacing for pleasant tonality and how to create rhythms to fill out the sound but not distract from the song.  On guitar I teach both using a pick and fingerpicking, and I explain why chords are named what they are, rather than just how to play them.  On bass, I start with playing by interval numbers and chord progressions, then later by note names.  With less experienced students I do teach them to read music.  With advanced students who already know how to read music I don't place as much emphasis on sight reading sheet music, because that's not an important skill in contemporary music performance.  Instead, I emphasize playing by ear, and writing/reading/modifying chord charts, including so-called "Nashville" notation (using Roman numerals).

In all my instructional and mentoring activities, my first priority is the well being of the student.  I can't do my job of helping students grow and improve without offering correction and criticism, but I use a positive approach that reinforces the student's confidence.

I do not do recitals.  When my students are ready, I help them find real performance opportunities for real audiences.  In the early stages, I support them not only by attending, but also by supplying and running the sound system, and sometimes by playing bass or another instrument along with them to give them emotional support and build confidence.  I do this at no charge.

If this sounds like what you have been looking for, and you (or your child) meet the criteria listed at the top of this page, I invite you to contact me to schedule an audition.  What I will be assessing at the audition is:

    1. a hunger for performing for audiences; a motivation to touch the lives of others with music, not merely for self enjoyment
    2. a desire to become a true musician and understand how music works, not just to play an instrument or sing
    3. a pre-existing level of musical knowledge and technique gained from prior lessons and practice, sufficient to be prepared to understand and implement what I teach
    4. exceptional musical talent; and
    5. a rock solid commitment to make the sacrifices of time and energy necessary to achieve excellence

Of those five things, #5 is the most important.

My existing students are also required to meet these expectations.  If there is an ongoing pattern of not practicing, I will let a student go to make room for another new student who is willing to consistently make practicing a high priority.

To schedule an audition, please email me at:

irvnelsonmusic@gmail.com

(NOTE: I prefer emails for communications with prospective students, rather than texts or phone calls.  If you email me but don't hear back from me within a few days, then feel free to call or text me at 435-770-2175.  Thank you.)

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