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Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Mar 27 2010, 03:18 PM

Hi all -

It gives me great pleasure to announce our newest GMC instructor:

As an instructor, Todd will be a little different as he is our first instructor dedicated to giving lessons in the Video Chat.

Todd has some killer chops and specializes in fast and furious Alternate Picking - he has laid out a lesson plan which I am sure he will share with you all soon along with a schedule for his lessons.

We picked Todd out for his easy style and great teaching abilities - some of you were in the chat room last weekend when we were checking out his audio and video setup, and I am sure you will all agree that he gave an awesome off the cuff lesson just while testing out his equipment

Please join me in welcoming Todd to the GMC Community!

Here is some history and background on Todd in his own words:


Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Date of Birth: Jan 1, 1977
Been Playing Guitar Since: 1990

My parents were both musicians and started exposing me to a wide variety of music from a very early age. They loved all kinds of music which probably lead to my eclectic taste in music. I draw from many different styles and always try to remain open to various musical influences. I remember wanting to play the guitar from about the time I could walk. So as soon as I could get my hands on one, I practiced non-stop until I was able to reach the level of musicianship that I desired. I continue to learn and practice and have found that I really enjoy sharing what I've learned with students.

Playing and Influences
I started playing in my early teens and am largely self taught. I didn't take lessons until I was in my late 20's and wanted to learn Classical Guitar. I could never find an instructor that I clicked with and just pressed forward on my own. I found I learned much better through example than through wrote so I've adopted a similar style in my own teaching and use direct examples with hands on the guitar whenever possible. I started playing in bands in my late teens which was a bit of a challenge as I wasn't old enough to be in the various bars and venues that I was playing. I started wtih a Metal band called Caustic Thought and went from there to play in various gigging bands of varioius styles from blues to pop. I was attracted again and again to heavier forms of music and eventually joined a group called Gnostic (Featuring Atheist drummer Steve Flynn) with two players also originally from Caustic Thought, and played lead and guitar harmonies on their first demo. The band went on to be signed and is now touring Europe. I have since started working on a collaborative project called Krestfallen featuring musicians from all over the globe. My playing style is quite broad but I specialize in alternate picking and right hand / left hand speed and synchronization. I am influenced by a great many guitar players including Paul Gilbert, Tony Mcalpine, Steve Vai, Christopher Parkening, Robert Cray, and dozens of others.

I started teaching lessons on youtube a while back and they took off. The lessons have garnered more than a million views and continue to reach players the world over. It's been great to get feedback from students from everywhere and help them get a little closer to their goals as players. I'm thrilled to be on GuitarMasterClass.net now and am looking forward to working with the students.

More:
Endorsements: I'm currently endorsed by EMG Pickups, Minarik Guitars and Fretlight Guitars.
http://www.myspace.com/techniqueswithtodd
http://www.facebook.com/TechniquesWithTodd
http://twitter.com/TechniquesWTodd

Posted by: NoSkill Mar 27 2010, 03:27 PM

This is great news, Andrew.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Mar 27 2010, 05:11 PM

Welcome Todd! Those who attended Todd's test session will agree that his teaching was energetic and very inspiring, can't wait to see more of them!

Posted by: skennington Mar 27 2010, 05:19 PM

Hey Todd, welcome to the community. Awesome stuff man. I'm looking forward to your lessons here for sure!

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Mar 27 2010, 05:29 PM

welcome to gmc brother! can't wait to see you on the chat !

Posted by: Emir Hot Mar 27 2010, 05:57 PM

Welcome to GMC Todd

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 27 2010, 06:28 PM

Thanks everyone I'm stoked about being here!

I'm doing a LIVE video chat lesson today at www.guitarmasterclass.net/chat

March 27, 2010
1:00 PM PST USA
4:00 PM EST USA
5:00 PM Canada
9:00 PM CET
9:00 PM Great Britain

Bop over and check it out!
Practice!
Todd

Posted by: ZakkWylde Mar 27 2010, 06:40 PM

Will you only be doing chat-lessons or are we going to see some *regular* lessons?

Posted by: Sollesnes Mar 27 2010, 07:00 PM

Welcome After seeing your test-lesson, I look forward for your video lessons

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 27 2010, 07:06 PM

That's why I'm here I'm really looking forward to the live interaction. I may start doing non-live lessons down the road though.

Todd

Posted by: superize Mar 27 2010, 08:54 PM

Living in Atlanta.... I hope you are a Thrashers fan???

Posted by: Fran Mar 27 2010, 08:54 PM

Great!, welcome Todd

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 28 2010, 01:04 AM

Welcome aboard, glad to have you in the crew!

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Mar 28 2010, 06:18 PM

Welcome to the team

Posted by: Muris Varajic Apr 1 2010, 04:52 PM

Welcome Todd!!

Posted by: Zsolt Galambos Apr 1 2010, 07:13 PM

Welcome to GMC, man!

Posted by: Marius Bob Apr 2 2010, 05:02 PM

welcome Todd

Posted by: thefireball Apr 23 2010, 10:49 PM

yes, Todd has already been a great help and is a great and fun teacher! I love the chats!

Posted by: Santiago Diaz Garces Apr 24 2010, 06:13 PM

Now I understand why I didn't see any Todd's lessons. Hahaha

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Apr 24 2010, 06:14 PM

Welcome to GMC Todd

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 12 2010, 07:03 PM

Starting Video Chat lesson TODAY Sat June 12 at 2:00 PM E.S.T. 7 P.M C.E.T.

See you there!

Todd