Music lessons — practical answers.

No. Adults often progress faster because they listen better and practice with intent. A determined older student routinely outperforms a talented but inconsistent younger student.

We begin with a short consultation by email/phone/Zoom:

• clarify your goal
• assess your current level
• choose a session format or monthly plan
• set scheduling expectations

Lessons should be purchased at least 72 hours before your first appointment.

Bring real material: a song you’re learning, a draft you’re writing, a demo, a chart, or a performance video. Real work beats abstract discussion.

Not required. If reading helps your goal, we’ll build it gradually. If it doesn’t, we’ll focus on ear, harmony, time, and execution.

For beginners, buy a reliable acoustic that stays in tune and intonates well.

• Budget: $200–$500
• Brands: Yamaha, Fender
• Why acoustic first: finger strength + clean fundamentals

Two good paths:

• MIDI controller (~$100+): great if you use a Mac + GarageBand/Logic and record in software
• Standalone keyboard ($300–$500): choose full-size keys and at least 61 keys

Non-negotiable: normal-sized keys. Mini keys slow progress.

We use a progressive chord system:

• start with 3-note chords (strings 2–4)
• learn C, F, G, G7 → then Dm, Em, Am
• master the key of C before expanding positions
• then build to full 6-string versions

This keeps your hands relaxed and your ear trained while you build vocabulary.

You bring 3–5 songs you want to learn (or a specific performance goal). I adapt material to your level and we:

• work the arrangement and the feel
• diagnose technique issues and fix the cause
• assign a small practice plan with clear priorities

Songwriting is flexible, but not vague. We can focus on one bottleneck (melody, harmony, lyric intent, structure) or do full-song passes.

• we clarify the organizing principle (title/premise)
• we build section contrast and chorus lift
• we leave with next decisions and a finish plan

A typical draft-to-finish timeline is 2+ weeks, depending on schedule and goals.

You’ll get a focused plan, not busywork. The goal is follow-through: a small number of actions that produce a noticeable result by next session.

Then we work backwards from the deadline:

• repertoire polish and stylistic accuracy
• part economy and performance reliability
• stress-testing under “one-take” conditions

Study songs you admire and reverse-engineer the mechanics:

• learn them well enough to feel the form
• name what moves the energy (melody, harmony, rhythm, lyric turns)
• write consistently—finish more, judge later

Early drafts sounding derivative is normal. The goal is to build craft until your voice becomes obvious.

Identify the bottleneck:

• Is the chorus lift missing?
• Is the melody doing the same thing too long?
• Is the harmony not supporting the emotional turn?
• Is the lyric unclear or over-written?

Fix one bottleneck at a time. Don’t thrash.

Ted Sablay is a Las Vegas–based musician, musical director, and teacher focused on practical musicianship: melody, harmony, structure, parts, and intent. He has spent nearly two decades touring with The Killers and brings a calm, structured approach to students who want measurable progress.

A mix of classic songcraft and modern execution: Beatles/Stones/U2/The Smiths/Oasis/Tom Petty—plus the discipline of professional touring, where parts, consistency, and decision-making matter.