Tempee's Guitar Lessons

🎸20 years as a guitarist in the U.S. Army

🎸B.A. in Jazz Guitar from Towson University

🎸State-of-the-art setup for online lessons

🎸Extensive work as an audio engineer

As a guitar teacher, my goal is to make complicated musical tasks into an enjoyable activity. Drawing from my diverse experiences as a U.S. Army guitarist, where I played jazz, country, funk, rock, R&B, Dixieland, and more, I've developed the skills to tackle challenging music. Now, I'm eager to pass this knowledge onto you.

Each student is unique, so I don't adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I use your individual goals and interests to craft a customized learning plan tailored specifically for you.

Here are some key principles that guide my teaching:

**Customized Learning Plans:** I design lessons based on your interests and goals, no matter what genre of music you like. Personalized learning plans ensure that you stay motivated and engaged.

**Practical Application:** Rather than simply teaching scales or chords, I show you how they are used in actual songs across different genres, demonstrating how theory can be applied to playing music.

**Encourage Creativity:** I create an environment that fosters creativity by encouraging experimentation and improvisation. This not only enhances your musicality but also makes the learning process more enjoyable. I include specific exercises that promote creativity for any musical style.

**Set Achievable Goals:** Breaking down long-term goals into smaller, achievable milestones is essential. Celebrating these milestones boosts your confidence and motivation and helps you stay focused on your musical journey.

**Use Technology:** I integrate technology into lessons, using apps, online tools, and software to enhance your learning experience. This adds an interactive and dynamic element to our sessions.

**Diversify Teaching Materials:** I use a diverse range of teaching materials, including sheet music, tablature, audio recordings, and videos to tailor lessons to your individual learning style.

**Promote a Positive Learning Environment:** Learning a musical instrument can be challenging, so I create a positive and encouraging atmosphere. A supportive environment is key to your progress and enjoyment throughout the learning process.

Whether you prefer in-person or online lessons, I will be your guide for your musical journey. I have an incredible setup for online lessons with four cameras: one for each hand, one for an overall view of the instructor, and one for sharing a book. I can easily share websites, videos, books, and music on the screen. My online setup has enabled me to teach students all over the U.S. and even overseas – in France, Germany, Spain, and Malaysia. For more information, watch my video “My Online Guitar Lesson Setup” (link below). Visit my YouTube channel “Tempee’s Guitar Channel” to view performance videos of me and my students.

Bio.

After attending Berklee College of Music, I joined the Army as a Guitarist. I served in the 82nd Airborne Division Band (North Carolina) and the 1st Infantry Division Band (Germany). While active duty, I played in a variety of bands all over the U.S. and Europe. After eight years on active duty, I served in the Maryland National Guard Band for 12 years. During that time, I earned two associate’s degrees (Music and Business), a certificate in audio engineering from Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts, and completed the Army Advanced Musicianship course and Army Live Sound Reinforcement course. I earned a B.A. in Jazz Guitar Performance from Towson University in 2009. In addition to teaching and gigging, I worked as a recording engineer and a booking agent. The artists I have worked with include Benny Golson, Ron Carter, George Duke, Kool and the Gang, The Avett Brothers, Rachael Price (Lake Street Dive), Matt Nathanson, Jimmy Cliff, Rusted Root, Les Claypool, Juice Newton, Toni Tennille, Warren Wolf, Ellery Eskelin, and The Air Force Band.