Brett Vaughn Guitar Lessons

I always start off assessing what level the student is at in terms of their theoretical knowledge. Every student must understand how the Western 12-tone (chromatic) scale works, and the Major scale that all Western music is based on. This is the beginning point of understanding every song you've ever heard, from Beatles, Bach to Slayer. Proper left and right hand technique is also addressed as we begin implementing the fundamental theory to the guitar.

At the same time, we discuss your ultimate vision, ie. where you desire to take your musical abilities, and start building practice regimens that will lead you to your destination.

I graduated from Boston's Berklee College of Music. Fundamental music skills such as reading and writing notated music, harmony and Ear Training are basic required courses. This knowledge (specifically the harmony and Ear Training) are what stems outward into all popular genres of music.

Even better, I have the actual real world experience performing all popular genres in front of an audience, in a wide variety of settings. From solo jazz guitar gigs, country honky tonks, orchestra pit backing a musical, outdoor festivals with thousands of people in attendance, sold out theaters, and more. I have the experience of being brought in to the recording studio to do a session of said genres in front of the artist and their producers. Having an idea of what works in your head vs the reality of what actually makes the cut. What I teach is just as informed by the reality of playing just as much as it is by the theory that supports it.

$315 for 4 one-hour lessons, plus a personalized Google Drive folder that I curate and organize specifically for your goals. Student can access and download the files at any time.
$220 for 4 half-hour lessons (or 2 one-hour lessons per month), plus Google Drive folder
$165 for 4 half-hour lessons without Google Drive folder
$70 for 1 one-hour lesson without Google Drive folder

My first teaching experienes were to friends and acquaintances in junior high and high school. Once I graduated from Berklee, it was simply another means to stay busy in the field of music.

All ages from children to senior citizens, all skill levels, all genres, and even to notable clients such as social media superstar Kiki Wong and producer/Escape the Fate guitarist Kevin Gruft.

I was lucky to play guitar in the backing band for an incredible New Year's Eve performance in Los Angeles called Top Rock, which featured 10 singers and dancers performing medleys of a wide range of legendary artists, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses, Michael Jackson, Prince, The Eagles, Journey, Eric Clapton and more! 

Understand that this stuff takes a lot of work. You need a "training mentality" to really accomplish something on an instrument. It would be no different if we were talking about visual art, poetry, weight training, long distance running. Every one of these things requires dedication, persistence, not submitting to self-defeating attitudes. The key is to find joy in the striving itself. We all must take it one step at a time. Eventually, you'll look back after 1,000 steps and see the immense difference in skill that you've earned.

If a student treats this process too casually, they will not see the improvement they desire. Do the specific work that the teacher prescribes, and also find ways to implement those skills creatively on your own. Put them to use.

"What kind of music do I want to make?" "What kind of guitar sound do I like?" are two really important, fundamental questions.

The more clear of a vision a student has as far as what their desired outcome of lessons are, the better. As a teacher, I can take a student anywhere they want to go, the student just needs to know what they want to become. Have a list of favorite artists and/or guitarists and you'll be off to a great start.