Background, professional training and performance history
Pat Waters is an educator and guitarist originally from the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Pat started playing the guitar when he was 15. After just two years of playing he was awarded a full scholarship to East Carolina University to study guitar. After receiving his Bachelor's of Music in Guitar Performance, he went on to a Masters of Music Degree from Austin Peay State University. Comfortable in performing in an array of musical settings, Pat's versatility won him a position with the Navy Band.
As a Navy guitarist he had the privilege to perform for some of the top dignitaries in the country, including the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pat has toured the country in rock groups, big bands, jazz combos, and as a solo guitarist. He is a proud father of three boys and his wife Katy (a.k.a Sweet Skittles the Clown) is a popular children’s entertainer.
Artist statement and teaching philosophy
"My utmost priority with my students is to instill and foster a life-long relationship with music. After nearly 15 years of teaching, I’ve found that a pre-fabricated, one-size fits all approach to learning music simply doesn’t cut it. From the aspiring professional to the back porch enthusiast and everything in between, I design lesson plans based on the needs of the student. Many of the greatest musicians have equated playing music to simply having a conversation. By nature a great conversation involves more than one person; learning music should be treated no differently."
“It’s rare that I meet a musician who doesn’t agree that music is a language. But it’s very rare to meet a musician that really treats it like one” -- Victor Wooten
Instruments & classes taught
Pat teaches guitar and bass to ages 6-96. All levels are welcome from absolute beginner to very advanced. Below is a list of sample topics covered in lessons.
- Acoustic Rhythm Guitar
- Bluegrass Techniques
- Blues Bending
- Chord Building
- Classical Guitar Technique
- Composition
- Ear Training
- Electric Lead Guitar Techniques
- Fingerstyle
- Flatpicking
- Improvisation
- Jazz Standards
- Jazz Comping
- Learning Tunes from Recordings
- Rock Soloing
- Sight Reading
- Singer/Songwrit