Guitar
Brian Albertson is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and teacher based in Northern Virginia. Rock music has been the primary source for Brian's musical inspiration, with everything from Rosetta Tharpe to The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys. However, Brian is also a great admirer of Latin guitar greats such as Paco de Lucia, Jose Feliciano, and Los Panchos. Also among Brian's influences are European classical giants such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Today, Brian contributes to 3 different bands. He plays lead guitar in a country ensemble, bass guitar with a bolero group, and writes the songs for a rock and roll band. Brian also sings vocal harmonies in all three groups, and is happy to help students sing in key! He plays piano regularly, and is more than willing to teach students how to read sheet music. Brian loves to explain and discuss music theory topics such as chord functions, scales and time signatures. He feels sure that to share musical knowledge, motivation, and inspiration is the best way he can spend his time, and looks forward to meeting new students with whom to do so. If you want a teacher who is flexible, efficient, patient, and dedicated, Brian Albertson is the teacher for you!
Brian took his first piano lessons at age 8 and recalls ignoring his piano homework in favor of playing along with his favorite video game music. While Brian won't encourage his students to ignore their assignments, he will understand that music should be interesting to his students, and thus is happy to personalize his lessons. Brian's teaching experience include beginner and intermediate students from age 7-70. He believes in a practical approach for beginners, with the first goals being to sound musical, build confidence and instill good practice habits rather than to learn theory.
Brian's university education saw him earn a degree in International Relations from VCU, and led him to play guitar with musicians in Spain and Morocco while studying abroad. Music has always been an integral part of Brian's travels, which have seen him return home with many inspirations and various instruments, such as the Bandurria from Spain, the Bajo Sexto from Mexico, and the Sogeum from South Korea!
Having featured in many long-lived bands as well as short-term live arrangements, Brian believes that an emphasis should be placed on the communal aspect of musicianship. To play together with others in real-time, even if it's just with a teacher, is an important mode of learning which is best included early in a musician's experience.