Bob Ferguson Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

I tailor each private lesson to the student's musical interests, offering diversified programs of instruction to students of all ages (5 and up) and backgrounds. I conduct all lessons in a relaxed atmosphere of patience, understanding, and friendship. My goal is to provide up-to-date information on all aspects of guitar playing, music theory, and related topics based on my 25-plus years experience as both an independent studio teacher and a college professor (IU, IPFW, Grace College, Trine University, Taylor University).

My influences are:

In the classical field, Andres Segovia, John Williams, David Russell and others; in the jazz field, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, John Pizzarelli and others; in the rock/blues field, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson and others; in the steel-string acoustic field, Leo Kottke, Merle Travis, Doc Watson and others. Chet Atkins is also an important influence.

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio

Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:

Private studio in Papermill Office Park, 1910 St. Joe Center Road, Suite 14, Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Guitar Techniques:

Song Writing, Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Jamming Skills, Improvisation, Performance, Slide Guitar, Fingerstyle, Open tuning, Rhythm guitar, Lead guitar

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

For students who are just starting the guitar, I begin with correct principles of form and technique, and I introduce them to their first notes and/or chords (depending on their age). For students who have already played, I suggest they demonstrate any aspect of their playing they feel comfortable with--from chords or scales to a complete song. From there I assess their level of proficiency, and their first lesson picks up at that point.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

Depending on the student's age, proficiency level, and musical preferences, lesson content may range from chords, harmonic progressions, strumming & fingerpicking styles, and favorite songs to rock, blues and jazz improvisation, note reading, score interpretation, technical development, music theory, or any other areas of study that will keep the student motivated and enthusiastic about learning the guitar.

The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following:

The ideal student is one who is enthusiastic about learning the guitar and is willing to put a reasonable amount of time into regular practice. Daily practice is best.