Craig Graham
About
My full range of musical services includes live solo performance, band performance, orchestra/pit performance, session recording, music director, concert production, arranging, songwriting, composition, and musical education.
I started performing professionally as an acoustic and electric guitarist in the mid 80s. I have extensive experience as a solo and ensemble guitarist, performing many styles of music.
My live appearances include tours in Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and throughout the United States.
Collaborations with other musicians in live concerts and recordings include: Jeff Andrews, Dave Creamer, Vince DelGato, Joe Deninzon, Mark Egan, Fantuzzi, Ian Froman, Hans Glawisching, Craig Handy, Molly Holm, Carol Lawrence, Donnie McCaslin, Danny Paradise, Bill Rogers, Bobby Rydell, Paul Simon, Ben Vereen, and many others.
I have served as the founder and director of several original bands, including: Craig Graham Band, Creatrix, Rural Free Delivery and others.
Education
Private lessons 1977 - 1984
York College of Pennsylvania Music program 1984 - 1985
Berklee College of music 1985 - 1986 associates degree.
Private lessons with David Creamer 1988 - 1990
In the 80s and 90s attended many workshops with musician. Pat Metheny, Michael Brecher,
John Scofield and others.
Study of music is ongoing.
As a professional musician I have performed thousands of concerts and gigs everything from solo guitar to full-size orchestras performing many styles of music.
I have been teaching workshops, private and group lessons since the mid 80s.
As a teacher, I work to ensure your experience is educational and fun. I use a straightforward approach to teaching theory and technique, with a three-part lesson plan adapting to your skill level and interest:
1 Proficiencies: Playing scales, arpeggios, chords, chord inversions, chords with bass lines, chord melody chord progressions, techniques, basic music theory, and more.
2 Reading: Identifying single note in all positions, reading chord symbols, and reading chords and melody together.
3 Song Repertoire: Learning and appreciating songs, understanding the theory used in the song development, incorporating emotions and dynamics into the song, and learning how to apply learned proficiencies to master the songs and add personal improvisational touches to the songs.
Each student is monitored with a checklist that follows the three categories so we can identify strengths and weaknesses as students progress through different musical styles. The checklists help to guide additional learning objectives and practice recommendations
I also encourage students be creative and expand their song selection and experiment with sounds and styles outside the lesson materials.
Composition and Song Writing.
I teach and review basic elements and theory required for musical composition: understanding melodic and harmonic motifs, intros, bridges, chord progression variations, dynamics, rhythm styles and variations, song forms, endings, hooks and riffs.
During the composition, I help the students explore creative ideas to expand their ideas and experiment with new styles and textures.