About
Music is special and I want you to enjoy learning at your own pace. I approach the guitar with joy and you will too! Children through adults thrive in my program. I am an experienced pro guitarist who has toured full time, appear on over 16 albums but hve always taken time to coach new guitar players. I hold a BA in art education and have plenty of classroom experience, but I prefer running my own small school so I can spend my time doing the important work of growing a happy crop of guitar players! Certified teacher. Bass guitar, mandolin, uke, lap steel and other stringed instruments are taught too! Deep studies on simple blues, mastering bends, phrasing, slides, targeting chord tones, timing and other fascinating topics are covered. Student may select songs to study. Ear training, tab, standard staff and chord diagrams are utilized. You'll like my naturally lit spacious clean lesson studio with tons of lounging space for parents. My influences are: SRV, Setzer, Hendrix, Ramones, country pickers, classical composers, Howling Wolf, The Beatles and Stones, anyone who work hard and tries. SE side of Cedar Rapids. A few topics we will cover include: Guidance In Equipment Selection, Recording and Production, Song Writing, Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Jamming Skills, Improvisation, Performance, Vocal Accompaniment, Slide Guitar, Fingerstyle, Open tuning, Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following: Music is a happy thing and I love to share this gift. We get right down to business and tune up, then we learn the notes up the first string all the way to the 12th fret. Next we learn a bit about tablature. Next I teach "The Mystery Song", which is the worlds' most popular song, but don't tell the title. We might get around to a few more tunes, some easy chords, names of the strings. I assume you are a beginner, but each person is unique. A guitar lesson with me might entail the following: We make sure you are tuned, thinking about all the notes the neck, basic chords, review some licks, riffs or songs, answer any question you might have, then take a look at any song you might want to try. I make sure your wrists are not twisted, and that you are holding the pick correctly, making sure you are not picking up any bad habits! The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following: One that practices, listens to music and communicates with me. A student that loves music and songs will get along great with me, otherwise I will teach them to love music and songs!
I love step one of getting started with guitar. Watching people light up with happiness as they connect with music.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I say welcome, we sit down, tune up and start learning the names of the strings. Then we move up the neck and learn a few notes on the skinny string. Next we do some really fun songs which I like to keep as a surprise, but you will leave the first lesson knowing some good songs.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
BA in Art Education from UNI
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Students pay cash or check for each lesson. They can pay in advance for a month or longer if they desire.
How did you get started teaching?
I began teaching friends when I started playing in the 70's. It was a natural and fun thing to do. All of my friends from that time still play to this day!
What types of students have you worked with?
Students as young as 6 have started with me. Retired people, people of all ages and backgrounds.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have a student who was not very motivated who has attended for a very long time suddenly just started playing really well. Every lesson is special and amazing to me! It's fun to watch kids mature a little bit and start to care more about tuning, timing, tone and so forth.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would ask a few questions about training, experience and so forth. Also pacing, is it fast moving or slow? Can we adjust the pace of the lesson? I took some vocal lessons with an expert teacher but we covered so much material so fast I was overwhelmed. That's what I mean about pacing.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would build a songlist and keep adding to it. Songs are great ways to move forward and make the lessons more meaningful and enjoyable. But students should be ready to work on scales, timing, harmony, chord construction and more. Not just songs, but have songs in mind to keep it fun for everybody.