About
My name is Tom LaRatta and I have been playing guitar for over 50 years and teaching guitar and bass for over 30 years both, in person and online. I started playing when I was 8, in my first band at 12, and haven't stopped. I first learned everything by ear, which I still do to this day, then also from tabs when they came out, studied music in college and continue to learn every single day to enhance my teaching ability. I teach with the same enthusiasm as I had when I first started.
I have a library consisting of over 10,000 songs, and full access to everything on the internet during the lessons for anything you want to learn. If I don't have it in my library, I can instantly download it and email it to you. If I can't find something, I can usually listen to it, tab it out in minutes, and email that to you. I am also extremely patient so there is no pressure. You can learn at your pace. ;-)
Highlights
Details
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We start with basic music instruction and learning the parts of the guitar, tuning the guitar, learning how to read a chord chart, and start on a song the first lesson. I teach students how to play what they want while encouraging trying other types of music they might not be familiar with, while working in the theory as we go.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I started playing when I was 7 and probably hit 10,000 hours by the time I was 18. I played in bands and did lots of solo gigs, and still do. I studied music with my dad, who was a music professor at the College of Notre Dame in California, and various other teachers through the years. Most of my experience comes from learning thousands of songs over the years and studying many different guitar player's techniques. I also am able to listen to a song and figure it out by ear so I can write it down for the student right then and there. I started doing that when I was about 10. My whole family are music teachers so it's definitely in my blood. I have been doing this full time since 1993, have had a waiting list ever since, and keep students and average of 3-8 years. I show up every week on time, get students playing what they want, and we have lots of fun.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons are $30/half hour, $45/45 min, $60/hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I took my first student when I was 18 while I was working and going to school but didn't go into it full time until 1993.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages and levels, starting as young as age 8.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Students have shared with me over the years their experiences with other teachers about their likes and dislikes. In reality you don't really know what you are going to get until you try someone out, but make sure whoever you go with, they are teaching you what you want to learn as well as all the basics. Also, when I give a lesson it's all about you the student, not me. ;-) I hear those stories a lot too.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I believe some of the most important questions are availability, cost, teaching techniques, goals, and teacher's experience.