Click here to schedule your first lesson!
I teach acoustic and electric guitar to brand new beginners up to seasoned musicians. I give 30 minute, 45 minute, or one hour lessons, typically held once a week.
Besides percussion, stringed instruments are among the oldest instruments. Guitar-like instruments have been around for thousands of years and have always been among the most accessible instruments throughout the ages, because of the cost, portability, and incredible sound. Whether folk, classical, latin, jazz, blues, rock, alternative, pop, indie, heavy metal or any number of other genres of music, guitar has maintained a standout and defining presence. Many of our favorite songs are written and performed on this incredibly versatile instrument. Playing a song you love on guitar is one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences, and serves as an inspiration to achieve more musical aspirations.
What will you learn?
- THE GUITAR: I’ll teach you the parts of the guitar, why it’s structured the way it is, and how to tune it.
- TECHNIQUE: You’ll learn how to sit with your guitar properly, namely standard and classical postures. I’ll show you how to position your arms, wrists, hands and fingers to playing most efficiently. You’ll learn finger picking (fingerstyle) first and eventually conventional flatpicking.
- MUSIC THEORY: From the musical alphabet to scales, chords, rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, dynamics, and song structure, we’ll delve into the foundational aspects of music theory.
- READING: Initially, I’ll guide you through interpreting simple notation, and as your technical skills increase, we’ll switch to tablature. (I will teach you how to read sheet music if you request it.) We’ll also incorporate YouTube tutorials, an invaluable resource for learning songs.
- EAR TRAINING: Listening and processing music is one of the most important aspects to learning an instrument. I will teach you how to analyze and interpret the world of sounds around you whether playing your instrument or just simply listening to music.
- SONGS: The strongest connection humans have to music is through song. I prioritize teaching you songs. I’ll start teaching you basic songs within the first few weeks and I’ll train you towards eventually playing the songs by your favorite musicians.
- PRACTICE: Of course, playing often is crucial to improving your skills. But, I always tell my students, “It’s not HOW MUCH you practice, it’s HOW you practice. I will teach you how to practice effectively and efficiently, shifting your perspective from viewing practice as a chore to embracing it as a love of playing your instrument.
MUSIC APPRECIATION and EXPRESSION – How to become a Musician:
As you embark on your musical journey, you’ll encounter new songs, genres, musicians, and an entirely new understanding of music. Drawing inspiration from the musical and non-musical world, you’ll enhance your playing skills and deepen your general knowledge of music. I’ll help you cultivate your unique musical style through personal expression, fostering a lifelong connection with music.
- DIVERSE REPERTOIRE: Whether you’re into folk, pop, rock, indie, alternative, heavy metal, latin, blues, classical, jazz, video game music, movie music or any genre in between, I tailor lessons to your musical preferences. Together, we’ll explore a diverse repertoire to keep your musical journey dynamic and inspiring.
- MUSIC APPRECIATION: I encourage my students to explore all genres of music, and select songs they’re passionate about learning. As you learn a favorite song, we’ll discuss it’s composition and feeling. I may also touch on the song’s meaning and historical context.
- CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: Through simple creative exercises, I’ll guide you through the processes necessary to improvise. Over time, I’ll help you develop a style, your style, by emphasizing your strengths and tapping into your creativity. We’ll explore songwriting if you’re interested.
- PERFORMANCE: I’ll mentor you in preparing for performances step by step. Whether performing for yourself, family, friends, classmates, or in recitals, I’ll teach you how to maintain confidence and composure on stage.
- PLAYING WITH OTHERS: Making music with other musicians is an incredible experience. Starting from basic duets, I’ll help you focus on your part while listening to others, paving the way for collaborations with multiple musicians.
- MUSIC and LIFE: My ultimate aim as a music teacher is to ignite your lifelong passion for playing an instrument and fostering your deeper connection with music. For all of my students, I strive to illuminate the profound connection between learning music and life, demonstrating how enriching and healing the experience can be.
Are you ready to start your musical journey and unlock your fullest musical potential?