Comprehensive Guitar, Bass And Banjo Instruction By Larry Crabtree

I teach Monday through Saturday at Ernie Williamson Music. It is located at 12244 Shawnee Mission Parkway, in Shawnee, KS. I am offering lessons there and/or online, whichever is preferred. Besides lessons on guitar, ukelele, bass and banjo, I offer beginner mandolin and dobro lessons as well.

Besides teaching my students how to just play songs, I like to give them an in-depth understanding of the instrument and of music. I listen intently to what my student would like to be able to do or play on their instrument of choice and do my very best to give them the skills in order to achieve their goals, whether it be certain songs (which are extremely motivating) or certain skills. I teach most all genres, including (but not limited to) Rock, Blues, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Classical, Funk, Jazz, etc. I teach a lot of things I've never seen taught in books, videos or the internet. A lot of the secrets to being successful at playing proficiently and getting right to the meat of what will make you a good player, not just a so so player. I like to give them the tools to take what I teach them and be able to figure things out for themselves instead of them having to have a ridiculous amount of reference material and be at the mercy of just doing what they're told to do through books, videos and etc. Many of my students have taken what I taught them and went on to successful careers in music as teachers, performers and even producers! It is very rewarding to me to see the fruit of my labor! I've had many students that I've taught from early childhood until they graduate High School, and some adults for as long as almost 20 years. I am good at keeping my students motivated and engaged, giving them the flexibility to make decisions of what they would like to learn! My retention rate (ability to hold on to students) is approximately 97%!

I love that I'm able to do what I love to do for my living! I feel very fortunate to be able to do this! I started out teaching at my home back in late 1989 with a few students at first and was able to build up my student load to over 80 students a week and have stayed for the most part very steady for all these years. I now have a student load of between 100 and 110 students each week! I like to be a positive influence on my students helping to direct them into a very rewarding profession or just to do it for fun! I like to help them become the best possible player and to play as effortlessly as possible. I like to have a fun time, which helps it to be an enjoyable experience for my students! Each season the store has a recital that a number of my students are very excited about being involved with! I am on cloud nine for much of the week following each recital! My students always do great! I am so proud of each one of them for putting the necessary amount of practice in to nail the material! I love to motivate them, and encourage them to become the kind of player I know they can be!!