GUITAR LESSONS AT OCTOPUS
Guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons at Octopus Music School are taught using our proprietary OPUS curriculum (Octopus Poly-Instrumental Units of Study). OPUS consists of ten grade levels, each with a requisite assessment and certification. Unlike many other schools, Octopus teaches guitar students to read notes and interpret sheet music the same as a student studying the violin or piano. Tablature and chord charts are not a substitute for reading notes on the staff and students taught purely using those methods will ultimately not understand the music they are playing.
With consistent practice at recommended intervals, our carefully designed curriculum prepares students to quickly advance from day one by equipping them with the necessary tools and scaffolding to build a comprehensive understanding of the guitar. In addition to learning note-reading, rhythm interpretation, and proper technique, students are exposed to theory, aural training, music appreciation, and collaborative courses with peers to help cultivate an immersive environment in which to thrive.
Lessons are still tailored to individuals' unique learning needs, and repertoire remains flexible so that students are able to learn music which interests them, however the core content and benchmarks have been standardized to ensure fast and steady progress for students of all ages and skill levels.
What students learn in lessons is important but equally important is how they apply that knowledge. At Octopus, students collaborate with their peers in bands and ensembles, play for friends at family at our many performance opportunities, and have access to masterclasses conducted by our staff and special guests.
FIND YOUR GUITAR TEACHER
JOSHUA F,
DIRECTOR OF GUITAR STUDIES
At Octopus Music School, each of our instrument families has a department director who oversees the curriculum, conducts staff trainings, and plans instrument-specific masterclasses and performance events for students. Our Department Directors track all students' progress monthly teaching staff check-ins and are a resource for teachers and students alike.
"At Octopus, our team of guitar teachers embodies the diversity of possible approaches to the instrument. In lessons, students can explore their interests and find their own voice without neglecting the fundamentals. Guitar students will learn technique, theory, and sight-reading while working on songs in a variety of styles. Additionally, enrolled students will have the opportunity to perform in semi-annual showcases as well as student ensembles. Our instructors are always ready to help eager new students begin their guitar journey at OMS!"
-Josh F, Director of Guitar Studies
Josh began his teaching career while still a young student of the guitar. He went on to graduate cum laude with a degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami where he was the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships including the Dr. Duncan A. Nelson Memorial Scholarship as well as the UMFS Scholarship for Music and Academic Performance. After several years spent teaching and performing, Josh completed a masters degree in Jazz Guitar Performance Rutgers Mason Gross School of The Arts, studying under Dave Stryker. In addition to his rich experience as an instructor, he has also enjoyed an accomplished career as an audio engineer and worked on albums with such world-renowned artists as Nora Jones and The Civil Wars.
FIND YOUR GUITAR TEACHER
In addition to weekly private lessons, guitar students at Octopus may enroll in one of our amazing band or ensemble programs where they learn a repertoire of songs and prepare for performances in and out of our schools!
The guitar is a cornerstone of rock and pop bands and a wonderfully versatile instrument that can be used to play rhythm or lead parts. In addition to our these groups, we encourage our guitar students to participate in one of our classical/fingerstyle ensembles, Octopus Gardeners or Nylon Tentacle where participants focus on guitar-centric arrangements of classical and contemporary pieces.
COLLABORATIVE
OPPORTUNITIES
FIND YOUR GUITAR TEACHER
PERFORMANCES
& EVENTS
At Octopus, we believe that the cornerstone of a well-rounded music education must emphasize performance. To that end, OMS curates a multitude of opportunities for students to showcase their hard work throughout the year. From our bi-annual Showcase Series to festivals and community events to our bands' appearances at renown venues such as the Stone Pony and Asbury Lanes, Octopus provides guitar students with countless ways to show off their skills.
We also offer curated guitar masterclasses on a quarterly basis for all enrolled guitar students. Masterclasses are a group setting where one of our staff members or a special guest provides focused instruction to students and an audience. The format is different from a private lesson or formal concert; the goal is to create a learning opportunity for both the performers and observers, and for everyone to leave with new insights.
