Ted Sablay
Session formats
Practical musicianship for working musicians and serious amateurs. We focus on melody, harmony, structure, parts, and intent—then convert that into decisions you can execute.
Every format follows the same arc: diagnose → rebuild → next steps. The difference is scope, not seriousness.
- Diagnose: identify what’s actually causing the issue (not just the symptom).
- Rebuild: make the smallest change that solves the problem reliably.
- Next steps: leave with a short plan you can execute this week.
If you’re unsure, book Build (60). It’s the most efficient “reset + plan” format.
Real material only. A song, draft, demo, chart, video, or one passage you can’t get to sit right.
- One sentence goal (what “better” means)
- One link (your recording, YouTube, or reference track)
- One constraint (deadline, gig, audition, practice time)
The three formats
Diagnostic
One specific problem. One clear solution. This is the fastest way to stop wasting practice time on the wrong fix.
- A technique snag you can name (time feel, picking, fretting, voicings)
- One section that won’t lock (riff, turnaround, intro, bridge)
- An arranging question (“what part should I play here?”)
- We isolate the bottleneck quickly (timing, fingering, harmonic choice, phrasing)
- We test one or two solutions and pick the one that holds up
- You leave with a short practice move you can repeat all week
Output: a single fix + how to practice it.
Build
Diagnose. Rebuild fundamentals. Map the next 2–4 weeks. The goal is durable improvement, not a temporary patch.
- Plateaus (you’re practicing, but the needle isn’t moving)
- Recurring problems (the same mistake keeps showing up in new songs)
- Harmony/voicing work that needs context and reinforcement
- Identify the root cause (usually one missing “link” in the chain)
- Rebuild the underlying mechanic with 2–3 targeted exercises
- Define a weekly practice plan that fits your schedule
Output: a simple plan for the next 2–4 weeks.
Deep Work
Multi-topic or advanced work. We make higher-level decisions—then you leave with a written plan so you can execute between sessions.
- Songwriting + theory + application in one session
- Advanced harmony (function, voice-leading, modulation)
- Arranging a full song/set with part economy and intent
- A prioritized decision list (what to change first)
- Specific parts (or part rules) to execute
- A written plan for the next phase of work
Output: decisions captured in writing + next-phase plan.
Book the smallest format that can solve the problem.
Clarity is the product. Choose the session that matches the scope.
Purchase at least 72 hours before your first appointment. Monthly plans are month-to-month and keep a standing slot while you’re active.