About
There are few players with the amount of experience I have had playing and recording with everyone from Little Feat to Elvis Costello. I am a very unique player - electric guitar AND an outstanding acoustic guitar player in all facets: open tunings, slide, finger-style, lap slap and neck bends... this combination of skills and disciplines makes each and every lesson a gold mine for the student willing to ask, willing to work a little bit harder and willing to be part of a tremendous legacy...
Writing songs, being in the world instead of just on it, and mastering a skill set on electric and acoustic guitar is a treasure chest, and a gift that keeps on giving every day.
I took a few years off from the road and the insanity of touring, and got a corporate job. I made a lot of money, but it was, in the end, souless and unfulfilling. One day I walked away from it all and I have never been happier, and I never looked back.
Singing, writing, touring and teaching now occupies my life full time, and in teaching I feel incredibly fullfilled, and fully realized in the life I have chosen - or the life that chose me.
I have been fortunate to attend two of the best music schools in the land at a time when I was looking for direction and meaning in what I was doing - it was as a student of Mic Goodrick, David Landau and Pat Martino that I became fully committed to a musical life and I have never regretted if for an instant.
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Jonathan P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Customer driven-student evaluation to determine what approach is going to have the best chance of success, then a meet & greet with perspective students, hear where they are on their journey, go from there.
This is fun, involved, and purpose-driven! And it is meant to be fun and engaging!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Berklee College of Music; Performance, Theory & Arranging
Eastman School of Music
Berklee Mentor and studies with Mick Goodrick, Guitar player for Steve Swallow Ensemble
Lessons with David Landau, guitar for Chris Rhodes and brother of Jon Landau, Springsteen Manager
Music Teacher, Fairfax Public Schools
Guitar Tour player, either in front of or behind:
Little Feat, John Mayall, John Hammond, Jr., Dr. John, David Bromberg, Leon Redbone, Buddy Guy, Dave Van Ronk, Martin Mull, Roger McQuinn, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Wreckless Eric, Bram Tschikovsky, Randy Hanson, Houston Pearson...
Band leader and founder of Boston Cult Pop band The Atomics, tours with Dead Kennedys, Mission of Burma, Gang of Four...
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Varies but rarely goes below $35 for 30 minutes; my lessons are highly focused, very fun, but very intense and there is a lot of information being exchanged; I encourage a video of the lesson, and 30 minutes can be loaded with more information than the student can absorb... but it all depends on the student and we can go as far and as fast as their skills allow.
How did you get started teaching?
People constantly asking for advice and asking me to show them how I do tunngs, finger style pieces, certain passages from live shows and licks from songs. Once I started the teaching process, it was very enjoyable and I have always tried to be available for lessons when not on the road or in production...
What types of students have you worked with?
6 year old kids just starting out up to 65 year old folks who just want to hold a guitar...
I have made it a point to teach anyone to play these instruments who wants to learn... age is just a number.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Not sure that is relevant here...