Wood Vibrations Guitar Instruction
About
I teach guitar lessons as a part-time, retirement job. My student list is small and I like it that way.
More than 50 years of playing guitar and other stringed instruments.
30 years of teaching science and coaching several sports.
15 years teaching guitar.
All this has helped me adapt to the variety of learning styles that I may encounter in my guitar students.
You can take lessons in the comfortable studio I have set up in my home.
My greatest joy in teaching has always been seeing a student's face light up as he or she makes a connection to new knowledge or achieves a new skill. I am a facilitator of learning guitar. My job as guitar instructor is to find a logical way to guide a student through their own journey of guitar knowledge and skills.
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Janice B.
Philip B.
Amy
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I try to make a plan with the student to take them from where they are to where they want to go in playing the guitar.
For the beginner, I start with the foundations of proper posture, hand position, fretting, and plucking strings. I teach what I consider the three easiest major chords and how to easily transition from one chord to another. The student then uses these chords to play a couple of simple songs. All that is accomplished in the free, first lesson. The student comes away from this lesson with practice drills to give the hands "muscle memory" of the chords. Lessons after that are spent learning new chords and new songs that use them.
For the student who already has some guitar knowledge and skill, I have the student show me some of what they know and we make a plan to take them forward from there.
I also work into the individual's plan some music theory (learning scales, reading notation, chord theory), more of it or less of it depending on the student's interest.
Through all, I emphasize having fun. It's called "playing" the guitar, not "working" the guitar.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been playing guitar and other stringed instruments for 50+ years. While I've only been teaching guitar for the past fifteen years, I taught science and coached various sports on the high school level for 30 years till I retired in 2006. Through my experience, I learned that it is best to break up any skill or knowledge into smaller, digestable bites to help students understand and put to use what I teach them. This applies to both physical skills and to head knowledge.
Since retiring from teaching science, I have enjoyed putting my musical skills to use playing in the praise band at my church and occasionally with the church orchestra. I have also enjoyed singing and playing guitar, banjo and dobro in a couple of local Bluegrass/Americana type bands. I enjoy listening to, playing, and teaching many genres of music.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
First lesson is free
Block of four one-hour lessons - $120
Block of eight one-hour lessons - $225
Single one-hour lesson - $35
Block of four half-hour lessons (for children) - $85
Block of eight half-hour lessons - $160
Single half-hour lesson - $25
How did you get started teaching?
Since retiring from teaching and coaching, I started my part-time guitar instruction business to "satisfy my teaching urges". I love teaching and I love music. It has been a good fit for me.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have taught students of a variety of ages from seven years old to some in their sixties and seventies. I've found that the greatest student success comes from a combination of natural talent, desire, and regular practice. But even a student with average talent can go far if he/she is coachable and puts in the practice time.