Manhattan School of Music and Berklee College of Music graduate with over 10 years of teaching experience! Take your playing to the next level! All levels welcome! Online discount available!

Find out more about Timothy

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  My dad was always listening to various rock bands when I was a kid, and watching music videos all the time etc, so I guess because of that I became interested in learning guitar since it looked really cool haha!

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  This always changes; I have periods of listening to a certain artist or album intensely, and then I'll be obsessed with something else for a while, and it keeps moving in circles like that. At the moment I've been listening deeply to Ichiko Aoba (amazing experimental singer songwriter from Japan, and great fingerstyle player), Nostalgia by trumpetist Fats Navarro, The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings by Wes Montgomery, Moonlit by Martha Kato, Heartland Radio by Remy Le Boeuf, and Nublues by Joel Ross, to name a few.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  I think the most difficult things for most students is getting a good grasp on guitar fundementals, as in becoming fluent enough in arpeggios, scales, voicings, knowing where all the notes are located, to the point where not much thinking has to be involved when playing. Additionally ear training is a struggle for most people, but very important to learn.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I'm not sure, because I'm not familiar how all instruments work, but I do know that guitar is definitely high up there, due to the fact that you can play one note in the same octave 2-5 different places on the neck, and for electric guitar which is still a very young instrument relatively, there isn't yet a clear pedagogical method for fundamentals like many classical instruments have had for hundreds of years.

• What are your keys to success?

  I think it's all about consistency; a little practice each day goes a long way and is better than practicing for hours only a couple days per week. The other half is inspiration, which means you should always study the music you love to listen to.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  1. Pat Metheny - the guy is just a genius not only as a player, but also as a composer etc. 2. Sonny Rollins - one of the greatest improvisers to ever live, and seems like a very deep and beautiful human being as well, with many stories to share. 3. George Benson - one of the baddest guitar players ever, and just seems like a great guy to be around.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Some days it can be hard to find the time or motivation to practice, but I usually find that the barrier is just getting started, and then you'll soon start enjoying it and be glad you didn't skip a day. Even just 10-15 minutes is a whole lot better than nothing.

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I just try to put in some work everyday to get closer to becoming the best version of myself, and continue to chase the music that inspires me, no matter if it's hip to others or not, cause in the end that's what makes everyone unique.