Opus 1 Music Studio is committed to aiding students in bringing their musical aspirations to life. Robbie, a dedicated guitar, and vocal student, stands as a testament to the studio's commitment to excellence.
Embarking on his musical journey five years ago in 4th grade, Robbie was drawn to The Beatles, sparking his desire to play their iconic tunes. Introduced to Opus 1 by a friend, he found his niche with guitar lessons under the guidance of Teacher John. Robbie shared, "I really like taking guitar lessons with John because I learned a lot of the more rock and roll, which is my favorite genre of music."
Since then, Robbie has become a key member of the band loosely titled "The Originals," which showcases a heavy rock and roll sound. They primarily perform in San Francisco at street fairs, and other venues. Crediting his success in song composition to learning intricate chord progressions, he explained that "John has taught me how to play more creatively, and make my chord progressions more interesting. As the lead guitarist, I also have to play solos, and I have become much better at that."
Reflecting on the importance of collaboration in a band, Robbie emphasized the lessons he’s learned about flexibility and rhythm. "Playing with other people, you learn how to be flexible with music, which is important. It teaches you to know when to quiet down, or when to really play loud. It helps you learn to stay on beat. When you make a mistake, you have to learn how to adjust,” he explained.
Adding another element to his musical repertoire, Robbie started taking voice lessons with Teacher Roger. Beyond enhancing his performance in his band, these lessons instilled confidence and improved his singing for school mass, and choir engagements. Robbie expressed, "With Roger, I’ve learned that the most important part of a song is lyrics. That is the thing people want to hear, and the thing they will remember from your performance."
Despite a busy schedule with his band, Robbie remains committed to Opus 1 recitals, showcasing his dedication to learning new material. Most recently, he performed “Ventura Highway” by America, which was a performance that he felt proud of. Reflecting on his successful performances, he shared, "You really have to put the time into practicing guitar because I noticed that when I'm not as serious about practicing, it's noticeable. That goes for everything you do in life. You have to be dedicated, even when you don’t want to be."
Summing up his key takeaways from his music lessons, Robbie concluded, "One of the things I've learned from John, and Roger that I won’t ever forget is to be professional, be prepared, and always have everything you need. Because I play electric guitar, I always have picks with me, and always have a cable. If you’re going to be a musician, being professional is necessary.”