Binghamton Guitar Lessons

I like to start with a phone interview to learn more about a potential student's prior musical experience, goals, and favorite musical styles. That way I can start to formulate a teaching plan to help them.

The call also gives them the opportunity to learn more about me and verify that we are a good fit. This leads to a greater learning experience for the student.

First began teaching guitar in 1979 at the age of 16. I later got married, had children, took on "normal" jobs, became an electronics technician.

In 2005 I received an offer to teach at a local music store. My goal was to be the most effective guitar teacher I could be and provide as much value as possible to my students, so I studied everything I could get my hands on about teaching, and how to solve the specific challenges people face when learning to play guitar.

In 2007 my guitar teaching business was doing so well, that I resigned from my day job of 15 years, and became a full time teacher and musician. I was part of an online music teacher's academy for a few years, and ended up co-managing an online mentoring program for musicians for around 10 years.

My unique ability to solve problems for my students, abundant patience, decades of live guitar playing, practical understanding of music theory, real world experience in recording and releasing music, and hands on experience in in-person and online music education, puts me miles ahead of other guitar teachers. I try to keep things fun and light hearted, and lessons are cutomized for each student so that they are both educational and enjoyable.

My goal is to serve my students and help them to reach their goals. I like to make things easy, and simple to understand, and can help you, even if you have studied with other teachers, and struggled to make progress.

$30 - half hour lesson
$45 - 45-minute lesson
$60 - hour lesson

Students pay in blocks of (4) lessons (one lesson per week) to reserve a weekly space in my schedule. Monthly rates are as follows:

$120 per month - (4) half hour lessons
$180 per month - (4) 45 minute lessons
$240 per month - (4) 1-hour lessons

You can schedule a single lesson to try things out before committing to a month.

Answered above.

All levels from total beginner to advanced students who have been playing for decades.

Seeing someone go from square one, barely able to hold onto the guitar, to being a confident player. It takes a lot of patience and support and I love providing that for them.

I also enjoy helping people who have been dabbling in guitar for a while, but feeling stuck to reach new levels of knowledge, skill and playing ability. I can take someone to an advanced level of lead guitar playing and improvising.

My favorite musical styles are classic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and blues, but I also enjoy teaching folk music, or beginning country.

I love seeing my students have musical breathroughs.

Make sure your teacher asks you about your interests and goals and the music you love. I have learned that there is no one-size-fits-all method for learning guitar that works for everyone. A great teacher will have multiple approaches and customize what they do to fit you.

What sort of music are you really passionate about? Are you putting in enough practice time to reach your goals? You need to trust in your teacher, but if you are not enjoying the way your lessons are going, talk to your teacher.