Phil Johnson Music Lessons
About
My teaching approach:
If you’ve tried learning guitar from videos or scattered advice and still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Many adults can play a little, but don’t know how to connect the dots or move past a plateau.
At Milpitas Guitar Lessons I teach clear, practical systems that help you understand music and keep improving. Beginners are welcome, and lessons are available both in person and online.
My influences are:
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kirk Hammett, BB King, Joe Perry, Prince, Louis Armstrong
My guitar lessons take place in:
The teacher's studio
Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:
My studio in the Berryessa area of San Jose. Near the border of Milpitas.
Guitar Techniques:
Song Writing, Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Rhythm guitar, Lead guitar
Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:
For a beginning student we'll get your hands on the guitar with some simple note and chord playing, as well as go over the basics of notation. For more advanced students, we'll find out what your strengths and weaknesses as a guitarist are and work out a game plan to fill in the gaps and move you forward.
A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:
During a typical lesson I'll guide you through my proven system (with included coursebook) to build sturdy foundations of guitar skills, then showing you new skills and concepts each time so you're never lost and you always understand the musical systems everything fits in. With each new concept, we'll explore how it applies to all facets of your playing including learning songs, composition, improvisation, and more.
The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following:
Punctual, responsible, willing to put in the practice time.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
During the first free trial lesson with a student I ask about your musical goals and tastes so I can communicate the material in a way that connects everything we're doing with where you want to be as a player.
Rather than making the mistake of trying to reinvent the wheel for each student, I use a set of top notch curriculum (some I've written myself, some off the shelf) and present it in a way that moves you toward your musical goals.
Most importantly, you'll learn how to think like a musician as well as move your hands like one.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BA in Music from San Jose State University as well as studying with a couple dozen private teachers over the years.
I'm also a nationally touring performing artist and have been banging around stages (where the real training takes place) for over 20 years.
How did you get started teaching?
I took a position teaching an after school music program for Guitar Showcase many years ago. I'd already been playing for a long time but they trained me in how to teach music.
After a year with them I branched off into my own lesson studio where I've been teaching since 1994.
What types of students have you worked with?
I take Piano students as young as 5 year old. For Guitar and Flute I accept ages 8 and up.
I've yet to find an upper limit for the ages of my students. The 80 year old man in a wheelchair that was learning Gypsy Jazz guitar with me showed me that anyone who wants to play can.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Have a clear idea of what kind of player you'd like to be - "I want to play songs for my kids" or "I want to form a band and do gigs.", etc.
That goal can certainly change later on, but at the beginning it will give the teacher a clear of idea what and how to teach you.
Make sure the teacher has experience teaching music. Teaching is a different skill than playing and ideally they should be good at both.
That said, you might click with a less experienced teacher and that's fine. Personal chemistry goes a long way in making the lessons fun for everyone. You may have to try a few teachers before you find the right one.