John Jackson Guitar Lessons

My teaching approach:

John is a university-trained and award-wining musician who began playing the guitar at the age of 13. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of Georgia, earning both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Guitar Performance as a student of renowned classical guitarist and educator John Sutherland and jazz instructor Steve Dancz. John's awards include wining first place in the 2013 GMTA Competition, as well as first prize in the Ira E. Mashburn Competition in 2006. John teaches students of all ages and experience levels, in a variety of styles. He also gives performances regularly. John is currently a guitar professor at Hinds Community College in Raymond Mississippi.

My influences are:

I've been influenced by countless musicians and music teachers throughout my life. A few include: Classical guitarist such as Andres Segovia, Christopher Parkening, Julian Bream, David Russel, John Williams, and Jason Vieaux jazz musicians such as Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Wycliffe Gordan, and Cannonball Adderly and rock musicians such as The Beatles, Billy Joel, The Jimmie Hendrix Experience, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Van Halen.

My guitar lessons take place in:

The teacher's studio

Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:

Ridgeland, Jackson, Madison

Guitar Techniques:

Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Fingerstyle, Vocal Accompaniment, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Guidance In Equipment Selection

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:

In a first lesson we typically talk about the students previous experience with the guitar and/or any other musical instruments/voice, and discuss any musical goals he or she has. We will start playing the guitar from our first lesson onward.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:

I tailor my guitar lessons to the needs and goals of the individual student as much as possible. We generally spend a portion of the lesson working on important playing techniques, music theory, and note reading skills, and we spend the remainder of the lesson working on what the student chooses, whether its a favorite song/piece, or a specific style related technique or sound they would like to learn.

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

My ideal student is someone who is as excited to learn the guitar as I am to teach it. I enjoy teaching anyone from the casual hobbyist to the aspiring professional, as long as they are willing to continue to learn, and strive to achieve their goals as a musician.