Derrick Campbell, Guitar Teacher
About
I’ve been playing the guitar for twenty-eight years now, and studied with a variety of teachers including Bob Ferguson and Michael Harris. I began teaching guitar lessons when I was a sophomore at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. I graduated with a B.A. in Communications and then moved to the Boston area in 1997 and began working full time as a guitar teacher within a few months. Since then, I’ve also played in a variety of original and cover bands, and written a number of songs of my own. I also play in a cover band called Element 78 that plays rock and modern country. We play out every weekend and bars, private parties, and weddings all over New England.
Locations:
Music Maker Studios in Brighton, MA
This is where I teach most of my private guitar lessons, and I teach adults and kids. We do a recital in June each year that is open to all of our students. I also do group classes here for beginning guitar players.
Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA
During the school year, I teach private guitar lessons to the middle and high school students during the day. I’ve been employed as a guitar instructor here since 2003. I also teach lessons at my home studio in Dedham, and have a lot of students from surrounding towns.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For beginners, I have a set method that works with students of all ages. For intermediate students or students who have a little experience, I ask them to play some songs, chords or scales to assess their level of proficiency. For the first few lessons I try giving them a variety of songs to see what their abilities are with different playing styles.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I studied for 4 years with a classical guitar teacher (Bob Ferguson, professor of guitar at the Indiana University Fort Wayne campus), and also Michael Harris, a rock/metal guitarist who tours internationally and has released over a dozen cd's. During my first year of teaching, I did sort of an apprenticeship with the head guitar teacher at Guitar Attention Center in Springfield, OH. He helped me out by advising me on what material to teach to beginners, what songs the general public wants to learn, and how to keep students motivated and interested in learning guitar.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Lessons are $35 per half hour and $55 per hour. I don't do housecalls.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students of all ages, from 8 to 82.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Take an introductory lesson with three different teachers and then pick the one you're most comfortable with. Better yet, take 2 or 3 lessons with each teacher to get a better feel for how it will be to learn from them.