About
I have many years' experience playing and teaching guitar and bass professionally. I have also taught guitar- and music-related classes at Cal State L.A., East L.A. College, L.A. City College, and at high schools in the Los Angeles area.
I tailor my teaching approach to each student, since each student is unique and we don't all learn the same way or at the same pace.
If you're willing to put in the time to practice I can pretty much guarantee I can help you have fun playing guitar or bass.
Seeing my students progress and move forward!
Reviews
Vivian R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First thing I do is find out what the student would like to achieve, and come up with a teaching plan/strategy that'll help him or her get there as quickly and easily as possible.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a masters degree in Commercial Music/Performance and 40+ years' experience as a professional guitarist and guitar instructor.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rates are $75/hour lesson and $40 for a half-hour lesson. I schedule lessons depending on skill level: beginners usually benefit from more frequent, shorter lessons, while intermediate students often take an hour lesson and might not return for another couple of weeks after they've mastered the material(s).
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching guitar when I finished my bachelor's degree (in music/studio guitar). Jimmy Wyble, whom I had studied guitar with, sent me a few students, and things just built up from there.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught guitar to students from age 6 to 76, both individually and in classroom environments.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a couple of my students play a classical duet; they're brothers and they really enjoyed it. Sounded good, too!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be aware that if you're getting started there's going to be an initial learning curve (I refer to it as "heavy lifting") where you willl have to work diligently to teach your body the new skills needed to play your instrument. The positive part is that learning is incremental, so the more you learn the easier it gets.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why exactly do I want to learn to play guitar or bass? Am I willing to set aside time consistently to practice? That last one is key; learning to play an instrument is a commitment similar to playing on a sports team: if you don't practice regularly and consistently it's going to be difficult to make steady progress.