About
With over 40 years as a professional touring and studio guitar player, I bring more than twice the experience than almost all other teacher have, and so have a deeper well of experience, knowledge and time playing, along with over 30 years teaching guitar. Combined together, this background ensures you are getting the best of the best based on real world, time tested understanding and approach in helping you learn to play guitar, and the music you love!
Teaching people to play a musical instrument is amazing because it is a skill they will enjoy for the rest of their lives. And the younger they start, the longer that joy will last!
While I teach exclusively through remote learning via Skype, you can be sure there is no loss of value or quality in what you will receive by way of instruction. I am also available via e-mail throughout the week should you have questions.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
David L.
Margaret G.
Duncan J.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
For beginners, introducing them to chords and strums is the foundation to all playing they will do. Then easy songs to learn, some the student has in mind as well.
For intermediate, assessing their current level and seeing where they need having things fixed, and then assessing what they need to achieve their goals. Sometimes reviewing their knowledge helps solidify elements as well.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have 40 years touring and studio work and over 30 years teaching, including college level educator. This is more than double the experience as a musician and teacher than most people who teach guitar.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I provide one hour lessons for guitar.
How did you get started teaching?
A friend asked me to show them some stuff on the guitar. And guitar players in other bands were asking me how I did certain things. After a while, I decided to put out the shingle and offer guitar lessons when I wasn't touring. It grew from there.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students from the age of 10 upward to retired folks seeking to expand their hobbies.
I have also worked with touring professional players who want another pair of eyes and ears on their playing to see where they need help.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't be afraid to "test drive" more than one teacher to see how you get along, and so you have options about who you believe is not only best qualified, but with whom you also get on well with, feel comfortable with.
Make sure they provide printed material that is well presented, not scrawled on a piece of paper during the lesson, wasting valuable lesson time. You need clearly explained printed material so you understand what you need to practice between lessons.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Not a question as much as something to consider: Make sure you are going to be committed to learning. If you're new to an instrument, or learning to play music at all, you need to understand it's okay not to "get it" within a week or two. It takes time for this stuff to sink in. You are learning a new language, music, and as you took a long time to be able to speak your native language well, so it will take some time to learn to speak music well.