About
Hi, my name is Noel. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and teaching for 6 years. I have a B.A in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music and a M.M from USC Thornton School of Music.
My goal is to help you learn guitar while enjoying your journey, and avoid plateaus and common pitfalls along the way! Whether you're interested in playing along to your favorite songs, jamming with your friends, or performing live, I have you covered step by step to get from where you are today to your vision.
In addition to teaching, I also perform and record guitar professionally in a wide range of genres including Rock, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Pop, Folk, Country.
Some of the topics that I teach include:
-Technique
-Improvising
-Playing By Ear
-Reading Music
-Music Theory
-Soloing
-Writing/Arranging
(These will be tailored to your individual goals and needs.)
I look forward to hearing from you and working together!
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
brandon G.
Tonia B.
Ashley K.
Bernadette M.
Eric
Dan K.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We talk about why they want to learn the guitar, what kind of music they listen to, and what they eventually want to be able to play. Then I will outline a roadmap to how we will achieve the students goals.
I always try to give music that will be fun for my students and is in a style they are interested in.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
B.A. Professional Music from Berklee College of Music
M.M Studio/Jazz Guitar from USC
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students from all age ranges, from elementary students to middle aged adults. My students have been from a variety of skill levels from beginner to intermediate.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I showed one of my students how to practice recognizing pitches by ear. A lot of people want to be able to play by ear but they don't know how to and it seems kind of mystical. After I taught him this skill he said he was mindblown and super motivated to start practicing so he could start playing music by ear as well!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find a teacher whose personality you are comfortable with and get along, and someone who can teach you the basics of the instrument and the style of music that you are interested in.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why do I want to play the guitar? For fun, for a band, as a profession...
What do I want to eventually be able to play on the guitar?
What areas to do I want to progress in?
Who are my favorite artists?
These questions will give me a good idea of what direction to head in our lessons.