DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 09:31 PM
Hey S.F. Bay Area beginning and intermediate guitarists, I'm now accepting students for guitar lessons - with an emphasis on learning to play and write instrumental surf music. I have one student now and I'm enjoying the process so much I'd like to have more.
A mere 8 years ago or so I was going on 12 years of not playing my guitar, when I decided to start playing again and play surf music. Within a year and a half I was in Meshugga Beach Party and ready to start The TomorrowMen. IT'S NOT THAT HARD! Just some consistent practice and a little guidance and you'll be on your way.
You've (probably) got the gear, now lets get some chops!
If you're at all interested and have questions email me directly.
Grazie!
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25646
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 09:42 PM
will you give lessons on how to sneak the new gear in the house so the spouse doesn't see/notice it?
how bout lessons on how to bargain time on being able to go to gigs,
and practices?
don't laugh people,
this could happen to you.
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 09:44 PM
Thank you Jeff, and now back to our regularly scheduled show.... 
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 09:49 PM
This is ALMOST enough to make me move out there. Have you considered live-streaming lessons?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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CaptainThunder
Joined: May 24, 2010
Posts: 36
Texas
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 09:59 PM
+1 for live streaming/Skype. My guess is that it will be fairly common soon, if it isn't already. It's not like golf lessons where the instructor is constantly touching you. Wait, what? I've just been informed that this might not be common. Kinda concerning?
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 10:04 PM
I may touch your whammy bar but that's about it  Skype lessons? I don't think so. You need the one on one interaction in person to see how what the student is actually doing wrong or right, as well as to see the instructors proper technique. There's a lot of subtlety to playing the guitar well.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 10:07 PM
You've seen Tin Cup too often.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 681
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 10:51 PM
Danny I'll be talking to you about this next weekend 
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 11:30 PM
Sure thing Fritz. You coming to Stinson or Forbidden Island?
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Jul 29 2012 11:50 PM
So close and yet so far.
Thirty years ago I'd have thought nothing of jumping on the freeway and driving to the Bay Area. Now I hate anything to do with that NASCAR track full of amateur, "would be" race car drivers that doubles as Interstate 80.
A "one on one" situation that involves learning surf related, real world stuff is a golden opportunity. Best of luck with this endeavor, Danny. Hope you pull in some eager students who see the value in what you are offering.
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FritzCat
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 681
Sonoma, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 12:20 AM
I'll be at both shows, it's an all-surf weekend for me!
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 12:26 AM
Great Fritz. But don't forget later that week The Madeira are playing 2 shows (one with the Tmen).
Thanks Rob, we'll have to get that high speed rail in for you (hold your breath)
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
Last edited: Jul 30, 2012 00:27:37
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univoxdontsurf
Joined: Sep 06, 2011
Posts: 132
So Cal
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 03:04 AM
What advice would you have for keeping focused? I mean, not just on Surf Music, but on improving as a guitarist in general? I've been playing for near 2 years, and I feel caught up in a GASsy stage where I feel too caught up in gear, and not enough in talent (could be worse I suppose).
— Maybe a Univox does surf...
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 09:01 AM
here's a couple links to some old threads that may help:
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/5659/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/12579/
UVDS, IMHO when prioritizing gear over playing occurs, it's a form of procrastination. We all know some of our favorite music was made on crap gear, and a good guitarist can make almost anything sound good. That being said, it's harder to learn on low quality or poorly set up equipment, so you have to reach a baseline, but it's not very high.
I struggle with procrastination myself. My strategy was to make commitments to others (like playing in a band) so I'd feel compelled to get to work. The power of fear. It's a far from perfect system, but it kind of works. Putting yourself in a position where you're going to play in front of others is a great motivator.
I'm generally a nervous person, and I felt a lot of stress when playing in front of an audience when I started playing out. Mostly out of fear of embarrassing myself. What I found is that if I had gigs coming up I was way more motivated to practice, and if I did screw up, it wasn't that big a deal.
So in general, my advice is to set some objectives for yourself and find a way to be forced to commit to them.
One other point, Surf Music is relatively easy music and does not require a huge amount of work to get to a level to play it. What it does require (like most endeavors) is consistency. Practice every day, even just playing along with one song a couple times. You don't need an hour a day. I guarantee if you play your guitar in a focused way for 15 minutes a day, in 2 weeks you'll be amazed at your progress. Try it!
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 11:29 AM
"One other point, Surf Music is relatively easy music and does not require a huge amount of work to get to a level to play it."
I'm not trying to "stir the pot" but I'm not so sure I'd agree that surf music is easy, although you 'DID' say relatively easy to get to a basic level. I've had more than one member in my band who were long time players who were just "converting" to surf, state that "this stuff is not that easy to play". Surf requires much more than the three chord approach that much of rock and blues can skate along on.
I'd say compared to jazz, surf is easy but surf often requires more complex chord changes and arrangements that go beyond what you generally use in rock/blues and therefore I think a bit more skill and finesse is required.
I think in both teaching and learning surf there are challenges to face that are not necessarily easy, but fun and rewarding when you overcome them and the rewards found in playing surf are extremely satisfying and well worth the time put in.
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CousinMary
Joined: Nov 16, 2009
Posts: 1076
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 04:11 PM
Okay, that does it - I'm going to buy raffle tickets for the guitars at the SG101 convention. If I win, I will take lessons from you, Danny.
Uh, do you accept total beginners?
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25646
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 04:21 PM
Mary,
Linda Miller from the Surf Museum started taking lessons a few years back.
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2372
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 04:53 PM
Alright, Mary!!! You go, girl! 
— Bob
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11062
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 08:46 PM
Of course beginners are welcome Mary. If you don't mind making the drive up to Berkeley.
Rob, if you listen to a song like say Bustin Surfboards or even Pipeline, you can tell how accessible this music is to even modestly skilled players. Of course there's room for advanced playing, that's why you have people like Wronksi and Ivan making their home in our community. I still hold that you can be fulfilled at an earlier stage of learning surf than most other genre's that have lots of guitar playing.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Rob_J
Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
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Posted on Jul 30 2012 09:33 PM
Well, when you put it that way Danny I tend to agree with you. Pipeline was probably the earliest song I ever learned to play as a teenager decades ago. There is definitely a lot you can do with surf even at a basic level so you are right. I don't want to discourage any potential beginners out there.
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