Meet Guitar Teacher Lorenzo Benatiro

Meet Lorenzo Benatiro, long-term Maxx Music guitar teacher, who started working with us in October 2019.  Until now, he has been based at our Rouse Hill Music school and many of you will recognise him from there.  He has recently added an extra day’s teaching and so you will also see him on Wednesdays at Castle Hill our Castle Hill Music School. Do say hello and welcome him if you see him there, and feel free to chat to our lesson coordinator if you’d like to book lessons with him.

So, a bit about Lorenzo… He has been playing the guitar since he was 11 years old, being compelled to try the instrument after playing Guitar Hero III. After his first lesson, he realised that the guitar and music was something he was passionate about and continued to practice going from a complete beginner to now becoming an advanced player. Since then, he has been playing in multiple styles such as Rock, Pop, Country, RnB, Fusion, House and Jazz. He recently graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music (Performance) as a jazz major, learning from some of the best musicians Australia has to offer such as Will Vinson, Carl Dewhurst, Steve Brien, Cameron Undy and many more.

When he isn’t teaching, Lorenzo is also a gigging musician, playing and collaborating with Yasmina Sadiki, Manfredo Lament, James Ryan and his Sonic Boom Big Band, Greg Carger, Heartbreaker – The Pat Benatar Tribute Show and many more.

Find out more about him in our short interview below:

What made you decide to pursue a career in music?

When I realised that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.  Back in Year 11 and 12 I realised that any other profession I would pursue would always leave me bored and unfulfilled.  I then decided that if I wanted to pursue a career in anything, I would at least attempt to make it out of a practice or profession that I would enjoy doing.  So music was the go

Why did you decide to become a guitar teacher?

I decided to become a guitar teacher to share the experiences and knowledge I have gained over the years of playing the guitar.  I really enjoy teaching – I love to see my students improve and genuinely enjoy the process of music making. I love talking to my students and I feel that all of my students are really fun to talk to.  It also brings me great joy and satisfaction when I see positive progress with my students.

How did you get into music?

Playing Guitar Hero 3 on the Xbox 360 haha.  Around 2013, my dad bought a Xbox360 for the family to use and was able to get his hand on a few games.  One of the games was Guitar Hero and we even were able to get a hold of the guitar and the drumkit controllers.  I always had a lot of fun playing those games and whenever I played them, I always thought that the guitars looked cool.  Soon after I begged my parents for a guitar then the rest is history as they say.

What were some of the first music pieces you fell in love with?

Welcome to the Jungle (Guns n Roses), Any Michael Jackson Song (Billie Jean and Remember the Time in particular), Let’s Get it Started (Black Eyed Peas).  Most of these pieces I would hear around the house as my parents would usually play music on the speakers.  In particular, my dad had a habit (and still does to this day) of playing songs on speaker every Sunday morning because it is what my grandparents used to do.

Who are your musical heroes, and how have they influenced you?

Slash, Jimi Hendrix, Grant Green, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield,

George Benson, Prince, Thelonious Monk, Gilad Hekselman, Louis Armstrong, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Led Zeppelin, D’Angelo, Beatles etc

All of these musicians have influenced the sound that I pursue when I play the guitar and the music that I create.  It is through listening to these master’s that I know what type of music I want to write and play, even though their genres are varied.

What are your top tips for getting the most out of practicing?

Practice hard pieces or exercises slowly (Even if it’s around 60bpm) but force yourself to play it PERFECTLY (perfect time, pitch technique).  Since you are practicing it slow your mind can focus on creating good habits that will end up becoming second nature when you bring up the tempo.

What album do you recommend everyone should listen to?

The Next Step – Kurt Rosenwinkel

This is just a great album in general.  The harmonies, solos and overall scope of the compositions are just so great that it almost transcends the guitar.  When listening to these songs you almost forget that there isn’t a piano in the rhythm section and just see it as an amazing jazz album, not an amazing jazz GUITAR album.  Kurt Rosenwinkel is really something, there is a reason why a bunch of jazz cats were playing his tunes and a huge number of jazz guitarists trying to sound like him during the 2000s Can you share one of your favourite music-related memories?

Do you collect anything music-related, like vinyl or instruments?

I consider myself to be a pedal collector (not HOARDER).  Other than the fact that they make the guitar sound really cool and different, they sometimes can carry a history with them (e.g Tone Bender being on everything during the early 60s) and a story on how the music industry is today.

Have you been inspired to take lessons?  Check out our Guitar lessons information.