About
I have 19 years teaching experience and have taught ages 8 to adult. I teach everything from the basics to more advanced concepts. I stress regular practice but also promote the enjoyment and enrichment that comes from learning and playing an instrument. It is important that the student know what he/she is trying to accomplish because from there we can focus on specifics. I am laid back but have no tolerance for people who don't want to practice and want a babysitter. Learning how to play an instrument takes time, patience and above all discipline and focus - whatever your goals on the instrument. Guitar is not an easy instrument to play so if you know that going in you are half way there!
I enjoy the students who look foward to every lesson, practice without being told to and realize that playing guitar requires both time and patience and is not something that they will "get" in a short period of time. This makes my job eaiser as the student will get out more of what they put into their learning.
The journey of playing an instrument never ends. I still have things to work on after 23 years of playing!
Highlights
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
John W.
John W.
william W.
Dean W.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
It depends on what they want to learn and how old they are.
For younger beginners I start with the fundamentals of music like note reading in the open postition of the fretboard. From there we move into chords,etc.
Older beginners who want to learn a specific song or songs to play will begin with a few basic chords and strum patterns. While these can be frustrating for some it is the ONLY way to begin learning how to play songs and takes a lot of repetition and patience!
Before any of this I always ask a new student why they wanted to learn guitar. This is important because having a goal is what will keep them movtivated even when it seems like they are going nowhere. I will notice the progress however when I see them each week (provided they practice)
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA in Music Therapy from Queens University of Charlotte.
Aside from that I have 22 years of playing experience this includes teaching myself.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Rates are based on whether or not the student comes to me or I go to them. Lessons typically run between 30 minutes to an hour each week.
I prefer students to pay for the month up front but I am willing to work with some schedules provided the person is not taking advantage of it by keeping me at their beck and call whenever they feel like it.
Make-up lessons will be done if for some reason I have to cancel. In the event that the student cancels a make-up lesson will be considered provided the student gave plenty of notice (a week is the standard) and didn't cancel at the last minute. Obviously no call/no shows will not be made up.
How did you get started teaching?
Like most musicians I got started teaching as a way to make money while keeping the guitar in my hands rather than work a typical day job doing something that I didn't like for less money. Over the years teaching has helped me learn how to be: a better teacher, adjust my teaching styles to each student, work with people of varying levels of abilty, realize that not everyone who decides to start playing guitar wants to be a musician, and pass on my passion for both music and education to many people. I am also proud to say that a few of my past students are now successful musicians themselves.
What types of students have you worked with?
Ages 8 (I typically don't start any earlier than that) to adult; 65 was probably my oldest student.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Why am I doing this?
Do I have time to practice on a consistent basis (even if it's only 10-15 minutes a day that is better than nothing)
What do I hope to accomplish?
How much am I willing to pay (music lessons are not cheap!)