The Guitar Room
About
I have an extensive background in being a recording session musician, A touring musician and I have many students doing the same, including three Grammy winners. Teaching is still my first love and I do it with a passion and a commitment that is unique. I take a contextual and linguistic approach as well as an academic one. Music is very much a language and like any of our first languages we all learned by listening, communicating with and mimicking the people around us. Then we learned all the grammar and academics. Teaching music in context and linguistically and in a tactile fashion, covers all of this at once. But the strongest asset is a direct relationship between your ear, the music and your hands given whatever instrument you choose. Ask anyone who has had a career as a player. This is what they do. The other benefit in this approach is that your retention is 90 to 100%. Then we learned all the grammar and academics. Teaching music in context and linguistically and in a tactile fashion, covers all of this at once. But the strongest asset is a direct relationship between your ear, the music and your hands given whatever instrument you choose. Ask anyone who has had a career as a player. This is what they do. The other benefit in this approach is that your retention is 90 to 100%. Anyone is welcome to do a drive by and pop in and visit, just let me know you were on your way. Derek
I love seeing people light up when they make that connection to really being able to hear and play what it is if they want and love
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Every student is unique and different. And a good teacher will learn their student and help them connect to music and their instrument in a way that truly works for them. A good teacher will take the time to truly engage the student and help them through specific areas of struggle and nurture ways of strength.As I mentioned, I take a linguistic, contextual and tactile approach. This includes an understanding of all the senses and how they work together. But everyone is uniquely wired it needs to be considered specifically. This takes patience, time and a willingness to really understand each student
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
The education and training I have is extensive. From the time I was 17 years old, I had some of the best guitar players in the world who are willing to teach me and guide me. Yes they old noticed that I had an incredible motivation to teach myself. Some of these teachers were Frank Zappa (my next-door neighbor when I lived in the Netherlands) Vic Juris, Pat Martino and any of the great session players and touring musicians that I was able to be around from an early age. I started in the studio at 17 having played on a Kook and the Gang record. I went on to do various sessions, tours, movies scores and even wrote a jingle that earned a Cleo award. My touring and session experience extends from Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye to Rick Springfield, Joe Cocar, Hollyn oats, Cyndi Lauper, the spin doctors and many more My touring and session experience extends from Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye to Rick Springfield, Joe Cocker, Hollyn oats, Cyndi Lauper, the spin doctors and many more. I have done many clinics that music schools like Berkeley, University of Indiana, Oberland Scool Of Music Guitar Institute of technology in California and Atlanta Institute of music. I have done many clinics that music schools like Berkeley, University of Indiana, Oberlin Scool Of Music Guitar Institute of technology in California and Atlanta Institute of music I did a clinic circuit for Guitar Center for many years in early 90s I did a clinic circuit for Guitar Center for many years.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard pricing is $60 an hour. It has been the same since the early 90s. I get extra when I have to travel
How did you get started teaching?
Long before music I was in active and competitive martial artist. I had my first black belt at nine years old and I started teaching martial arts at an early age so teaching was very natural for me. I started teaching guitar soon after I started playing. I developed so quickly is a guitarist and people want to learn and I absolutely loved teaching them and never stopped teaching