Get Good Academy

Berklee College of Music graduate...s have taken lessons from me (some still do). I'm a professional Nashville session and touring guitarist offering in-person lessons in Tennessee and Washington State, and everywhere via streaming

I began piano lessons at age 6. At age 9 my mom allowed me to take guitar lessons provided I continued with piano. By 12 it was just me and the six-string.

The first time I learned how to play guitar with one hand was from a hippie guitarist who sewed colored patches into his leather pants. One week’s lesson when I was 13 consisted of going into the teaching room, pressing play on the VCR and watching a video of Stevie Ray Vaughn live. That changed everything for me.

I founded various bands in my hometown and started teaching guitar lessons when I was 17. I taught all styles, ages, and levels. After high school I received training in jazz guitar theory and performance at the Player’s School of Music in Clearwater, Florida and later studied guitar theory under a jazz guitar guru in Portland, OR.

After acquiring a business degree from Central Washington University and working a few years in global logistics I left the United States for missionary work and held several odd jobs including being a chauffeur, milking cows, and of course; teaching guitar lessons. While overseas I started a Guitar Club in the Maori village of Waharoa, NZ, performed for troops at Yokota U.S. Air Force Base in Fussa, Japan, and recorded music in Auckland, NZ for a YWAM compilation album.

Upon returning stateside I worked on a salmon fishing tender in the Bering Sea, and the skipper, a retired Nashville songwriter encouraged me to make the move to music city.

Since moving here I've recorded and released several solo albums, made music videos and have multiple projects raging from blues to pop, indie rock and acoustic songwriter.

Currently I play for and write with several Nashville artists, mostly rock, pop, and country.

*** Lesson Details ***

In the first lesson we will determine your current level, establish your desired goals, and then formulate a plan to get to where you want to go with guitar. There is one specific book that I use for almost all students which covers a broad spectrum of styles at all levels, and the rest of the material will vary depending on the goals we establish in the beginning, and your individual learning style.

I like to root a very solid foundation in basic music principles early on and then expand from there as this allows you to go as far as you desire with guitar music.

While I don't employ the teaching method, I do dig that old Suzuki philosophy, "Only practice on the days you eat."

*** Studio Equipment ***

Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Amps, Effects Processors, Keyboard, PA, Recording equipment

*** Specialties ***

Acoustic, Electric, Rhythm, Lead, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country; CAGED Method, Modal Theory