Craig Fermanis

Watsonia North VIC 3087, Australia

Guitar Lessons | Singing Lessons | Artist development, Ensemble Coaching, Theory Lessons, Composition Lessons, Jazz Improvisation Lessons

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• Qualifications: Professional musician averaging 250 gigs per year. Teacher and examiner of jazz guitar at Monash University.
• Pricing: $100 per hour - Concession rates available on request.
• Styles: All genres of Jazz - Trad, Swing, Big Band, Bebop, Hard Bop, Fusion. Advanced improvisation concepts. Technique, sight-reading, theory, audition preparation. Assistance and feedback for jazz singers from an experienced accompanist.
• Suitability: All ages, all levels.

Bio

Craig Fermanis is one of Melbourne’s most in-demand jazz guitarists.  He has shared the stage with a diverse range of artists including Ricki Lee Jones, Mavis Staples, Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Tim Ries & Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones Band), Vince Jones, Joss Stone, Archie Roach, James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Michelle Nicole, Mat Jodrell, Julien Wilson, Jamie Oehlers, Kate Ceberano, Christine Anu, and The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few.

Craig has studied in Melbourne with jazz guitar master Doug De Vries, and in New York with jazz legends Jim Hall and John Abercrombie.  He has toured Europe 15 times and recorded on over 90 CDs and records.  His debut album Machines was rated 9/10 and ranked as the third best Australian jazz release of 2002 by All About Jazz.  A Cadence magazine review of Machines states “Fermanis is as strong a modern guitarist as any of the Scofields or Abercrombies.”

Over his 30-year career Craig has performed more than 7,000 gigs at concert halls, festivals, clubs and bars.  He was a finalist in both the Wangaratta National Jazz Awards and the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship.

“One of the most gifted young guitarists I have had the pleasure to teach.”  Jim Hall

Teaching Info

FOR GUITARISTS

I cater to students’ individual needs and goals.  The lessons will be tailored to the student and can include:

• technical and theoretical study
• playing pieces together for feedback and analysis
• developing a practice routine
• advanced improvisational concepts
• study of pieces chosen by the student
• composition and arranging ideas
• recording strategies for home or studio
• preparation for performance/auditions
• dealing with performance anxiety
• career and music industry advice and strategies for getting work

FOR VOCALISTS

Having played countless gigs with great jazz vocalists, I can help jazz singers become comfortable performing with an accompanist or in a full band setting.  Lessons can include:

• assistance with song selection
• advice on key selection, intros and outros
• theory and terminology
• best practice for working with an accompanist/band
• pitch and rhythm refinement
• career and music industry advice and strategies for getting work

Note: I’m not a singer or singing teacher myself.  These lessons are designed to give singers feedback and advice from the accompanist’s point of view.

GENERAL INFO

Lessons can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly as required.  I can also do one-off lessons to focus on a particular goal, such as audition or performance preparation.

Lessons take place at my private studio in Watsonia North, and I have amps, vocal PA, music stands etc.