Locations
The Elliott Music Studio is a home for all musicians. It features a beautiful, quiet room with guitars, cables, amplifiers, comfy chairs, music stand, and tuner—everything we need for a comfortable, productive learning environment. Adjacent is a sitting area for waiting parents and early-bird students, reading materials, and bathroom.
The Elliott Music Studio is located conveniently near Kenwood Mall, Montgomery Rd., Ridge Ave., and the neighborhoods of Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights. Stop by for a trial lesson any day you're free. If you aren't local or travel often, ask about Skype lessons! Contact Spencer |
Wyoming Fine Arts Center
Spencer is happy to offer lessons at the amazing Wyoming Fine Arts Center in nearby Wyoming, OH. The Wyoming Fine Arts Center offers "more programs to more students than virtually any other center in Greater Cincinnati." "We believe our personal approach to each student's success is what sets us apart." Go to www.MusicArtDance.org for more information on this great center.
What We Do
Music is something you do.
People do music. It's hard-wired, transistor style. But while most people do the listening and enjoying side of music, relatively few do the playing side of music. If this is you, don't worry—you've likely taken the first steps in playing music already! You listen and enjoy music, right? I'll put all that listening to good use. I'll teach you to play all the things you enjoy listening to.
Learn songs. Learn to play. Learn music.
I also have a wealth of songs I think you'll like to play, even if they missed your radar till now. You'll learn to listen for your part in the song, and to play it as you hear it.
Learn to do the other side of music!
I have had great success with this approach over the years. It provides built-in flexibility and accommodations for your interests in music, even as they change with time. From kids to adults, beginners to advanced players, starting where you are to get you to where you want to be makes sense.
Don’t know where to begin? Below are songs and clips of songs with me playing guitar. Each highlights a different style of guitar playing, one or more of which may interest you as a learner. Below each recording is a list of songs I have taught that utilize that style. These lists are not comprehensive, but hopefully thought-provoking—what songs do you want to learn?
People do music. It's hard-wired, transistor style. But while most people do the listening and enjoying side of music, relatively few do the playing side of music. If this is you, don't worry—you've likely taken the first steps in playing music already! You listen and enjoy music, right? I'll put all that listening to good use. I'll teach you to play all the things you enjoy listening to.
Learn songs. Learn to play. Learn music.
I also have a wealth of songs I think you'll like to play, even if they missed your radar till now. You'll learn to listen for your part in the song, and to play it as you hear it.
Learn to do the other side of music!
I have had great success with this approach over the years. It provides built-in flexibility and accommodations for your interests in music, even as they change with time. From kids to adults, beginners to advanced players, starting where you are to get you to where you want to be makes sense.
Don’t know where to begin? Below are songs and clips of songs with me playing guitar. Each highlights a different style of guitar playing, one or more of which may interest you as a learner. Below each recording is a list of songs I have taught that utilize that style. These lists are not comprehensive, but hopefully thought-provoking—what songs do you want to learn?
Video Tutorial: Pachelbel's "Canon in D"
Lead Electric GuitarTechniques used: Double-stop, bend, unbend, pull-off, slide (glissando), palm-mute, cross-pick, rake.
Songs with solos I've taught that use some or all of these techniques: All Your Love - The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - AC/DC Dream On - Aerosmith Enter Sandman - Metallica Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash Get Back - The Beatles Good Times Bad Times - Led Zeppelin Hot for Teacher - Van Halen Iron Man - Black Sabbath The Lemon Song - Led Zeppelin The Ocean - Led Zeppelin Ophelia - The Band Shining Star - Earth Wind & Fire Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin Thunderstruck - AC/DC What is and What Should Never Be - Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin RiffsSongs that I have taught that use at least one riff:
Cissy Strut - The Meters Come Together - The Beatles Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne Day Tripper - The Beatles Don't Stop Believing - Journey Heartbreaker - Led Zeppelin Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benetar Holiday - Green Day Hot N Cold - Katy Perry Iron Man - Black Sabbath Living Loving Maid (She's Just a Woman) - Led Zeppelin Message in a Bottle - The Police Money Maker - The Black Keys The Ocean - Led Zeppelin Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison Paranoid - Black Sabbath Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO Poker Face - Lady Gaga Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson Sunshine of Your Love - Cream Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith ArpeggiosSongs that I have taught that use arpeggios:
Babe I'm Gonna Leave You - Led Zeppelin Clementine - Raining Jane Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles House of the Rising Sun - The Animals Sleepwalk (Instrumental) - Brian Setzer Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers What I Got - Sublime UkuleleSongs that I have taught on ukulele:
Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan Elephant Gun - Beirut Over the Rainbow - Harold Arlen (as played by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) |
Solo GuitarSolo guitar instrumentals I've taught:
Black Mountain Side - Led Zeppelin Bron-yr-aur - Led Zeppelin Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (arr. Spencer Elliott) The Entertainer - Scott Joplin (as played by Chet Atkins) Estudio No. 5 - Fernando Sor Happiness - Jeroen Groot Beumer Maybelle - Chet Atkins Prelude No. 4 - Heitor Villa-Lobos FingerpickingSongs I've taught that use fingerpicking:
After All - Dar Williams Blackbird - The Beatles Black Mountain Side - Led Zeppelin Blue Moon of Kentucky - (as played by Brian Setzer) The Boxer - Paul Simon Bron-yr-aur - Led Zeppelin Carolina in My Mind - James Taylor Dear Prudence - The Beatles Dust in the Wind - Kansas The Entertainer - Scott Joplin (as played by Chet Atkins) Home - Greg Holden (as played by Phillip Phillips) Lady in Spain - Ingrid Michaelson Landslide - Fleetwood Mac Prelude No. 4 - Heitor Villa-Lobos Waiting For the Sunrise - (as played by Carl Perkins) Rhythm GuitarSongs that I have taught that use strumming:
Beginnings - Chicago Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap - AC/DC Everybody Talks - Neon Trees Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash (Good Riddance) Time of Your Life - Green Day Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promises - Avett Brothers Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield If Not For You - Bob Dylan Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin Kashmir - Led Zeppelin Keep Your Head Up - Andy Grammar Kodachrome - Paul Simon Let the Rain - Sara Bareilles Living After Midnight - Judas Priest Love Interruption - Jack White Machine Head - Bush Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Paul Simon Panama - Van Halen Proud Mary - Ike and Tina Turner The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash Runaround - Blues Traveller Runaway - Del Shannon Stereo Hearts - Gym Class Heroes (ft. Adam Levine) Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams Surrender - Cheap Trick Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond The Times They Are A Changin' - Bob Dylan Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Rae Tonight We Ride - Tom Russell Use Somebody - Kings of Leon Victoria - The Kinks What I Like About You - The Romantics Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival BanjoSongs that I've taught on banjo:
Cripple Creek - Traditional Dirty Old Town - The Pogues Foggy Mountain Breakdown - Earl Scruggs I'm Shipping Up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys |