Ian La.-

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.  --Monk (i.e., from the TV show)

That said, I will actually now attempt to write about music and my own personal journey into it, hoping this will encourage you in your own musical path.

Here are the bottom-line points first (I wrote them last).  Please read below for a more personal bio....

1.  Learn by doing.  I believe immediate application of what we learn helps us to build a solid foundation and grow faster.

2.  Success follows success.  Giving a student immediate, reachable goals allows his success to feed his enthusiasm and stick with his instrument.

3.  Life is like a slinky.  Learning to play an instrument (and life in general) is kind of like an upward spiral--we develop new techniques and skills, but always come back to the basics to make them better.  As our basics become better, our newest, cutting-edge skills improve, too.

4. Think long-term.  Injury from improper playing technique or practice routine can really slow you down on your quest to reach your musical goals.  Cultivate an awareness of common injuries and how to avoid or manage them.

Now for the more organic bio...

My name is Ian.  I grew up in a family that really encouraged my musical interests, while not forcing me in any particular direction.

There were plenty of instruments around the house, and I enjoyed exploring them.  I first tried guitar at around age 9 or 10, but gave up after being frustrated with the video teacher and my own incooperative left hand.

I later got up the courage to pick it back up around age 12.  I've often regretting not sticking with it earlier, but the benefit I've found is that this experience helps me to understand how to encourage students and help them acheive reasonable goals and pace themselves.

After playing for about 9 years, I wanted more formal instruction, so I took a semester of classical guitar under guitarist Jac Mandel at Columbia International University.  Jac's instruction has really influenced both my playing and worldview--specifically helping me appreciate that sometimes taking things slowly is the fastest way to growth, and one of the main keys to developing virtuosity is continually returning to work on perfecting the basics.

I play acoustic, electric and nylon string guitars; bass guitar; hammered dulcimer; McNally Strumstick; lap dulcimer; banjo; mandolin; recorder; transverse flute....and am in the process of studying a few non-western and homemade instruments (including the "canjo," erhu [chinese fiddle] and sanxian [Asian 3-string lute]).

My main musical influences are...too numerous to enumerate here--there is so much great music out there.  But a few names who have shaped me (despite the possibility they might not recognize their contribution to my work) would be Phil Keaggy, Matt Auten, Michael Hedges, Rich Mullins, Andres Segovia, John Williams (the guitarist), Christopher Parkening, Yo-yo Ma, Andy McKee, Jars of Clay, Bach, Debussy, Brahms,Tan Dun....