R Music Studio

I first need to see if the student is a true beginner or if the student has some knowledge about the guitar.  If the student has some ability already, I take a lesson or 2 to assess their ability so I can customize lessons that work best for them.

For the true beginner, I begin with basic chords and scales with the goal at the end of the first lesson to be playing a song (or at least part of a song).  Once the student has mastered basic chord changes in a couple of easy songs, I teach a strumming pattern and work to implement that pattern in those easy songs.  Over time, I provide more chords and songs that use those chords as they continue to develop and improve their strumming.

I am a self-tought musician with a lot of experience.  I have been playing the guitar for more than 35 years and teaching guitar for more than 15 years. Over that time, I’ve had numerous students and typically I have about 35 private students per week.   In addition to the private guitar lessons I give, I also give weekly guitar classes for both the City of Garland at the Holford Recreation Center and for the City of Sachse. I also have begun weekly advanced guitar classes at my church for those who have made it through the Garland or Sachse classes & need advanced instruction.  Since March 2010, I have been leading the youth band at my church, Buckingham United Methodist. This group has about 12 members including vocalists, acoustic & electric guitarists, a bass guitarist and a keyboard player. Previous to that, I had been leading a band, Crossfire, where I played guitar, banjo, and mandolin, as well as provided lead and backing vocals. Crossfire played mostly for our church (Buckingham United Methodist) or for church-related events and we played rock, country, gospel and Contemporary Christian music.  In addition to giving guitar lessons I also give bass guitar lessons, banjo lessons and ukulele lessons.

My normal rates are as follows:  4, 30-minute lessons per month - $60 (for children through about age 11/12); 4, 45-minute lessons per month - $70 (recommended as the normal lesson for youth and adults); 2, 1-hour lessons per month - $60 (for those with schedule conflicts that prevent weekly lessons). For months with more than 4 lessons or for months with less than 4 lessons, these rates will be adjusted according to the below entire rate schedule:

• (45-minute lessons): 5 lessons for $85; 4 lessons for $70; 3 lessons for $60; 2 lessons for $45; 1 lesson for $35
• (30-minute lessons): 5 lessons for $75; 4 lessons for $60; 3 lessons for $50; 2 lessons for $35; 1 lesson for $25
• This cost includes me providing all of the music for my students instead of making them purchase music books (typically between $10-$20 per book, sometimes more depending upon the book).

I began by giving free lessons to youth at my church that wanted to learn guitar.  It grew from that into a full-fledged part of my music studio business.

I've had students of all ages, from 5 years to older, senior students.  I've worked with those with no musical background and those with musical experience (either on guitar or other instruments). 

We hold a yearly Fall Festival at my church, Buckingham United Methodist and this year, it was on 10/28/16.  We have a Music Patch at this event where we have live music all day long and I am responsible for getting the acts, providing a sound system and then running the sound.  We had a great time again this year and had a lot of good music.

Look for an instructor you are comfortable with.  The instructor should have a good level of expertise and knowledge with a patient and consistent teaching approach.

What are your goals related to learning the guitar?  These should be shared with your instructor up front so your instructor can help you meet your goals.