Meet Theodore LaBash
Graduate Pierce College A.A. Behavioral Sciences
Graduate CSUN B.A. Breath Studies Music
CSUN Masters Music Industry Admiistration
42 years a teacher
I started teaching local friends and was then employed by Action Drum and Guitar.I was teaching in the home here in Northridge and Porter Ranch. That was 1974.
A year later I was teaching at Cassell’s music in San Fernando on the San Fernando Mall. Al Casselle hired me. I also started at Robert’s Guitar at 7120 Topanga. I had Ted Greene’s old studio. I worked there for about four years. I also worked for Nadine’s Music and Big Valley Music. In 1994. I went on my own and did advertisement in the phone book. I was working seven days a week in home lessons.
In 2007 the economy fell apart and I had my roster reduced to 1/4 of what it was. I decided to go back to school in 2011. I went to Rinaldi Adult school to get my GED. Then I went to Pierce and then CSUN.
Now I am rebuilding my roster and starting a solo gig with my computer to back me up. I will also find a band this year or several to work with.
When I started out as a teacher, I made charts by hand one at a time, the graphic quality was terrible. I had a friend who had a silk screen shop and equipment to make pages that were legible and clean.
While working at Cassell’s music I started to put together a small book for my students. “Interlock” was born. I got tired of writing out every chart by hand. I felt that a good teacher should be prepared with materials ahead of time.
Fast forward to current day and I use software to make all of the charts and they are much better.
The software I have today on my computer will allow me to play music for the student and then they can work on it by themselves.
Producer of learning videos for Guitar
While I was working at Robert’s Guitar and Cassell’s I was a public access producer for Valley Cable. It is now Spectrum. I had a complete video studio with cameras and switchers and a studio with a professional lighting setup. I did over 50 cable shows over “Interlock”. I also worked on a slew of other shows. I had the chance to do camera, lighting, producing and editing.
Now I have all the gear I need to do my own videos without the need for a studio or staff. It has become much easier for me to produce and now have my own YouTube Channel