Frank Dalzell - Instructor

Guitar, Bass, Piano, Music Theory, MIDI Arranging

I've been playing guitar since I was nine and piano since I was 15.  I studied all styles of music for many years with a number of different instructors in and around Baltimore, including:

Pop - Ross Haynie, Don Leonard
Jazz - Gus Harris, Eddy Stringer, Hank Levy, Greg Hatza
Classical - Ray Chester, Neil Pennington, Kazuo Watanabe

I earned my undergraduate degree at Towson University with a major in English and a minor in music.  While at Towson, I completed their sixteen-credit music theory sequence, I studied jazz improvisation with Greg Hatza, and I studied big band arranging with Hank Levy.  My Master's degree is from Johns Hopkins University in Information Technology Management, and I've been utilizing computers to facilitate musical arranging and song scoring for many years.

In my early teens, one of my teachers introduced me to the recordings of several jazz players, including Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Howard Roberts, Chuck Wayne, Kenny Burrell, and Wes Montgomery.  I've been a jazz fan ever since, and I've devoted many years to understanding music theory and applying it to tasteful accompaniment and improvisation.

I also enjoy classical guitar.  I particularly like Baroque and Renaissance music, and my studies in classical technique and repertoire have helped me develop a methodology for improving fingerboard speed and dexterity.  I'm inspired by classical players such as John Williams, David Russell, and Manuel Barruecco.

In addition, I have a great respect for the pop artists who continue to appeal to several generations of music fans.  I enjoy the works of James Taylor, Elton John, Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Stevie Wonder and many others.

I joined my first band when I was 12, and began my musical career around that time.  Over the years, I've worked with various groups in clubs and at private parties, playing jazz, rock, and standards, while keeping abreast of current popular tunes.  I have also taught guitar, bass, and piano at a number of music studios, at The Boys' Latin School, and in my home.  I like helping people develop their musical talents and ideas.

In addition to playing, I also enjoy MIDI arranging.  I score for big band, as well as for smaller jazz ensembles.