Ted Sablay

Session formats

Practical musicianship for working musicians and serious amateurs. Melody, harmony, structure, parts, and intent — converted into decisions you can execute.

How sessions work

Every format follows the same arc: diagnoserebuildnext 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.

Bring this

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
30 minutes

Diagnostic

One specific problem. One clear solution. The fastest way to stop wasting practice time on the wrong fix.

Best for
  • 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?"
What happens
  • Isolate the bottleneck quickly
  • Test one or two solutions and pick the one that holds
  • Leave with a practice move you can repeat all week
Output: a single fix + how to practice it.
60 minutes

Build

Diagnose. Rebuild fundamentals. Map the next 2–4 weeks. The goal is durable improvement, not a temporary patch.

Best for
  • Plateaus — you're practicing, but the needle isn't moving
  • Recurring problems — same mistake across new songs
  • Harmony/voicing work that needs context and reinforcement
What we do
  • 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.
90 minutes

Deep Work

Multi-topic or advanced work. Higher-level decisions — and you leave with a written plan to execute between sessions.

Best for
  • Songwriting + theory + application in one session
  • Advanced harmony — function, voice-leading, modulation
  • Arranging a full song or set with part economy and intent
What we produce
  • 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.
Quick chooser

Book the smallest format that can solve the problem.

Clarity is the product. Match the session to the scope.

Diagnostic — one bottleneck you can point to.
Build — recurring issues + you want a 2–4 week map.
Deep Work — multiple goals, advanced material, written plan.

Purchase at least 72 hours before your first appointment. Monthly plans are month-to-month and keep a standing slot while you're active.