Christopher’s Guitar Lessons

I first ask them a series of questions to determine their experience, ability, knowledge of music theory (if any), motivation, how much time they're willing and able to devote to practicing, tastes, preferred style(s), and so on. 

Then I provide them a tailored lesson plan. 

But, more than anything else, I am patient with my students. I have learned over the years that expecting too much too soon is probably the biggest deterrent to success. 

I graduated with honors from Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California in 1988. 

I've also relentlessly learned and practiced many styles of music over the years. This includes rock, blues, pop, jazz, fusion, classical, flamenco, and world music. 

I've continued to study many texts and a lot of online material relating to theory and technique. 

I charge a flat rate that depends on the number of students I'm teaching at one time. 

If I have more than one student at a time, the price per student decreases (rather significantly) per additional student:

1 student: $45/hour...

2 students: $38/hour for each student...

3 students: $30/student.

Some of my friends wanted to learn themselves and/or had children who wanted to learn. So I started by giving mini-lessons to them, and it just grew from there. 

I've mostly worked with beginners and intermediate students, especially for the first 10 or so years of teaching. 

For the last six or seven years, I've been teaching more and more advanced students. But I continue to teach many beginning and intermediate guitar players. 

Because of the recent and ongoing Covid-19 situation, like most everyone else I haven't had much opportunity to see live events. But I nevertheless have watched numerous events on TV or YouTube. These include acts like the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Billy Joel, and many similar acts, various classical and jazz performances, and the list goes on.

I'd tell him (or her) to look for a teacher who really inspires him, for someone who is very patient, knowledgeable, and expresses himself (or herself) clearly and understandably.

Lastly, I'd tell him to find someone who can play very well.

The advice given to many teachers just starting out is to just be better than the person you're teaching, to not worry about being that good of a player yourself. The problem with that is this: How can you trust someone who hasn't been taught by someone else to play well or who hasn't taught himself to pay well? Would you learn science from a layperson? Would you learn to swim from someone who is just starting to learn him or herself? 

It applies to most anything, really. Learn from someone who not only knows about the subject--but from someone who DOES the subject very well. 

How long have you been teaching?

How long have you been playing?

How good are you?

Will you give me a demonstration of your playing?