About
I have over twenty years of guitar, bass and ukulele teaching experience in Marin.and have brought many a beginning student to fully accomplished musicianship. My approach emphasizes learning many songs, good technique for good tone, and a strong foundation of playing in time.
The true secret to playing guitar is knowing technique that enables you to express yourself, knowing how to use your hands to bring the music to life. Theory is touched on to explain reoccurring musical ideas. Reading can also be taught as desired.
I am especially good with beginning students, being very patient and creating a great rapport with the young ones.
If you want me as a teacher send a request to me only and I will get back to you. I don't respond if a request is canvasing several teachers as it costs $20 to reply and just to be in competition with others.
I can teach pick and finger styles in rock, jazz, blues, R&B, funk, folk and Bossa Nova. I also make it a priority to accompany my students on the bass, giving the opportunity of ensemble playing. All materials are introduced in a graduated manner of difficulty to ensure good progress.
Being based in jazz education I also have a very good knowledge of the fretboard and have developed a unique and straight forward system for learning chords and scales up and down the fretboard . This is good for full understanding of improvisation and arranging.
Growth in music comes with a growing understanding of how the tools you use service your musical soul. Sometimes the songs you already know just need a little playing technique to make the guitar really sing. It is this development of touch that is the key.
If you are a beginner I can set you off on a good path, teaching the songs and styles you want along with the sensitivity to make them sound good.
If you play already I can root out simple problems that cause major frustrations and expand your vocabulary with a clear concept of sound production.
I think making music should be fun. And I think it gets really fun when you can get the sound that really moves you, those you play with and play for.
If you want to have me as a teacher please respond to me only as I don't respond to requests to multiple teachers. You can also look me up if you like.
Highlights
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Reviews
john K.
tom S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My approach to teaching emphasizes what it takes to play in a band or as a solo performer.
1) Having a good pulse - the foundation of all music
2) Getting a good sound - using the hands to make the instrument sound the way you want it to.
3) Repertoire - learning songs that advance skill and that can be played with others
Typically I find out the students level, what genre they are interested in, and then tailor and approach just for them suggesting materials to advance their skills and knowledge step by step. I am alwasy happy to learna nd atb a song for a desiring student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a degree in music education from Laney College. I have studied jazz guitar with the renowned Warren Nunes for many years. I have performed as a solo artist and in duos and larger ensembles in jazz, rock, R&B and blues on both guitar and bass for many years. I have been teaching younger students in after school programs and band classes for quite a while now, so understand beginners' needs and musical group dynamics
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$45 1/2 hour lesson
$85 1 hour lesson
How did you get started teaching?
My friends wanted me to teach their chilren guitar skills.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with children and adults, beginning and advanced. I have seen many students grow from complete debutantes up to very accomplished musicians.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Nels Cline at the Jazz Festival had a full orchestra with himself playing guitar. It was very sophisticated and still very accessible.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure you get a teacher that makes sure you learn how to play music, not just show you chords, diagrams and songs. It is the technique from where the music comes and the teacher must have a good sense of right hand technique, the one that actually makes the sound! Music is decorating time, so the teacher must absolutly emphasize good time skills, otherwise the student isn't learning to play music.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What kind of music do I like and what kind of music do I want to play? We all already have lots of music in our heads. Although genre does dictate technique, it is good to consider if you want to play with a pick or with your fingers. Do you want to learn soloing and improvisation? Melodies? Or just stick with chords of songs? Do you want to accompany your self while singing? The music you are most familiar with you already know to a certain degree. Are you willing to spend time listening to music you want to play and are you ready to practice your instrument everyday? A teacher can show you a lot, but a student actually teaches themselves with their practice and exploration time.