Shawn McGovern Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

I am interested in helping my students learn and have fun learning the guitar. Since the age of eleven, Shawn McGovern has devoted his life to the study of the guitar. Marveling at the powerful sonic landscapes of the electric guitar lit a fire in him. Since beginning the instrument music has been the core focus of his existence. Practicing up to 12 hours a day was a staple in Shawn's early musical diet. The discipline and focus served well, however, when Shawn started original bands at age 12, eventually playing local venues in the New England local circuit and recording a 10 song EP at age 15. One night, by chance, Shawn stumbled upon legendary metal pioneers Saxon in a K-mart parking lot. When presented with the EP, lead singer Biff of Saxon exclaimed, "This is really you? If we were playing like that at your age we would rule the world." Years of intense study followed in private lessons and college courses, and Shawn continued to play the local New England circuit. Shawn's original rock/metal band For Solace cut a 3 song CD with Hatebreed/ Vernon Reed producer Rob Gill. Matt Heafy of world class metal band Trivium even had a few words to say of Shawn's musical prowess, "This guy is killer, really great original songs,he has what it takes to do it!" In 2002 Shawn began teaching guitar lessons to other excited would be musicians, or those in need of more clarification in mastering techniques. Shawn quickly realized a love for teaching music. At this time Shawn decided students deserved to have the best lessons they could so he decided to attend the world renowned Musicians Institute located in Hollywood, California where he tested out of one third of the world's leading contemporary music school's rigorous curriculum. He reached high honors and studied under some amazing guitar players such as jazz master Sid Jacobs, published author and Los Angeles most popular guitar teacher Dan Gilbert. Shawn also received instruction from music reading master and Music Reading for Guitar author David Oakes, American Beauty soundtrack guitarist Ken Rosser, as well as Hal Leonard Shred Guitar published author Gregg Harrison. One of Shawn's biggest dreams came true when he had the honor of studying under the SCARIFYING Paul Gilbert. In fact, in one lesson Shawn was profiled in 2010 December Guitar Player Magazine, the headline reading "Paul Gilbert teaching and learning from Shawn McGovern." Now back in Rhode Island, Shawn has returned to offer the best quality lessons in contemporary music in the area. Shawn offers comprehensive lessons that focus on the style of music YOU are interested in. From beginner to advanced players, students will have fun learning and mastering real world techniques with Shawn's patient positive reinforcement.

My influences are:

Metallica, Megadeth, Paul Gilbert

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio or the student's home

Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:

Providence, Newport, East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston, North Kingstown, East Providence, Barrington

Guitar Techniques:

Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Open tuning, Slide Guitar, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Recording and Production, Guidance In Equipment Selection

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

I talk to the student and get to know them as a person, and their musical interests. From here, I learn what their goals and interests may be so that I may develop a customized plan for their needs.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

I usually like to see how the student is doing on a personal level, and then we will review items from our previous lesson. I also always like to focus on new songs and techniques may have caught their attention from last lesson and work with them on these items as well. This way I am able to keep the lesson exciting an fun from week to week, as well as relevant to each student.

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

Fun and eager to learn.