ROB MCCULLOUGH MUSIC
LESSONS
Whether a beginner or an advanced musician, Rob wants his students to develop and succeed with each lesson and interaction, as well as enjoy the learning experience. By using several different tools, depending on age and current skill level, lessons are never boring or dull. At the completion of each lesson, the student will have at least three major "takeaways". In this way, students leave with a keen sense of satisfaction that they have learned something new. Assuming equal dedication to the practice and performance of their lessons, students can progress at an accelerated rate. Finally, this may even lead to the expression and creation of their own music and songs. If the student aspires to this, our studio offers yet more ways to expand their talent with recording and production training. See more details in each of the three categories below.
GUITAR LESSONS
acoustic | electric
Rob will customize the student’s lessons, based on their favorite genres; rock, metal, country, pop, acoustic/folk, funk, R&B, or jazz. For beginning students we will use our standard teaching curriculum. For advanced guitar players, we will use significant music theory and scale modalities - Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian; pentatonic, diminished, and double diminished scales with chromatic alterations.
We will use both picking and finger picking, as required for each genre. Backing tracks may be utilized to match the appropriate genre.
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From our youngest pupil at age six, I play alongside the student, to exhibit proper guitar form - for picking and note articulation, and rhythm and chord articulation. Nothing is more important than real time visual demonstration and feedback.
VOICE LESSONS
beginners to advanced vocalists
Rob's voice students range from the beginning vocalist to well advanced singers. His goal for every student, is to produce the most impactful presentation of his/her voice. He will work with the student to create a custom menu of songs and vocal exercises.
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As a producer, Rob offers a broad range of expertise and tools to take a student well beyond the simple voice lesson.
With our studios recording capability, Rob will record and produce the students voice, for evaluation and for study between lessons. This will include specific selection and training with our microphones and headphones. Backing tracks may be used during the lesson, and in the recording sessions.Our digital audio software is used in lessons to help the student visualize their vocal tone, vocal range, and their vocal endurance.
BASS LESSONS
electric
Rob will customize the student’s lessons, based on their favorite genres; rock, metal, country, pop, acoustic/folk, funk, R&B, or jazz. For beginning students we will use our standard teaching curriculum. For advanced bass players, we will use significant music theory and scale modalities - Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian; pentatonic, diminished, and double diminished scales with chromatic alterations.
We will use both hard picking and two finger picking (slap and pop), as required for each genre. Backing tracks may be utilized to match the appropriate genre.
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I will play alongside the student, to exhibit proper bass form for note articulation. Nothing is more important than real time visual demonstration and feedback.
ABOUT ROB
Rob is a guitarist, bassist, singer, songwriter, and producer. Rob's playing styles were primarily influenced by James Burton, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, George Benson, and Joe Pass. Rob is a versatile and accomplished performer and has performed in rock bands, jazz combos, R&B and funk bands, and folk and country groups. He has significant choral, orchestral and stage band experience.
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Rob grew up in Los Altos and has been playing guitar since he was nine years old. In his first band, and as the youngest member, Rob played rhythm guitar at the age of 10. With a 25-song playlist, the band played at junior high dances, and other events. Rob began writing songs and teaching guitar at the age of 12.
In high school, Rob was under the teaching and mentorship of John McCollum, spending three years in his electronics classes, along with fellow students Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. He received his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from San Jose State. He then began his engineering career in the semiconductor industry - working for major companies and startups in the Silicon Valley. See details at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-mccullough-4470823a/
Rob has been producing and recording throughout his life. He has built four home recording studios.
In 1968, his first songs played locally on KSJO (FM Rock South Bay) and KLIV (AM Rock South Bay). In 1972 he co-wrote, performed, produced, and recorded songs with members of the Moby Grape and Paul Revere and the Raiders. From 1987 to 1994, songs from his two contemporary Christian albums charted and "playlisted" in over 133 US radio markets.
As a composer and publisher, Rob is a member of ASCAP, SoundExchange, and a supporter of the West Coast Songwriter’s Association.
Samples of Rob playing in
various styles and genres
Jazz Funk Stratocaster
The Look of Love Gibson ES175 D
Solo Cross Talk with Earl Gibson ES175 D
Heavy Rock Solo Stratocaster
Heavy Rock w Pinch Harmonics Stratocaster
Majestic Metal Stratocaster
Bass Funk Rickenbacker 4001
Rob's 12 Bar Blues Yamaha Acoustic
Claptonesque Takamine
Melodious hard rock Stratocaster
Joe Pass solo picking Gibson ES175 D
Joe Pass finger picking Gibson ES175 D
Audio clips and tracks from some of our studio production projects
All projects composed, arranged, and produced by Rob McCullough
Klughesque (Jazz)
Rob: acoustic guitar, funk bass, kick and side stick
Jeff Adams: e-textures and e-piano
64 Voice Choir (Choral)
Rob: vocal solo
Jeff: e-textures and e-bass.
Rob Gospel Solo (Gospel)
Rob: gospel vocal solo, 64 v choir, 2-part vocal harmony, funk bass and drums Jeff: blues grand piano, concert strings and e-textures
Gospel Brass Outro (Gospel Brass)
Rob: electric guitar, harmony vocals, midi fretless bass guitar, midi drums
Jeff: synth e-textures and midi horns
Dream Seeking (R&B)
Rob: strings, drums/beats, e-piano and guitar
Southern Rock Intro (Southern Rock)
Rob: bass, lead guitar and drums
Jeff: grand piano
Country Pop Intro (Country Pop)
Rob: bass, lead guitar and drums
Jeff: grand piano
Country Pop Outro (Country Pop)
Rob: bass, lead guitar and drums
Jeff: grand piano and strings
Gospel Rock Outro (Gospel Rock)
Rob: electric guitar harmony, harmony vocals, midi bass guitar, midi drums Jeff: concert grand piano, cathedral organ, and synth e-textures
Venture Out (Funk Groove)
Rob: strings, drums/beats, e-piano, e-textures, e-swells and funk bass
Some of Rob's vocal projects
Like I'm Going to Lose You - Rob sings male lead and harmony with John Legend, Megan Trainor and backing tracks, utilizing our audio identification and isolation process
Like I'm Going to Lose You - vocals only - part A
Rob singing with John Legend, Megan Trainor and backing vocals,
utilizing our audio identification and isolation process
Like I'm Going to Lose You - vocals only - part B
Rob singing with John Legend, Megan Trainor and backing vocals,
utilizing our audio identification and isolation process
A Satisfied Mind - Rob's version of Joe "Red" Hayes and Jack Rhodes
Country Classic. Rob arranged and performed all vocals, guitars, bass and
synth instrumentation.
My Jesus - composed, arranged, performed, and produced by Rob McCullough
Rob: solo vocal, acoustic guitar and bass
Jeff: e-textures and e-piano