About
Why should you learn with me?
I create a distinct cirriculum around you and your learning style! This cirriculum accentuates your strengths and challenges you to tackle your weaknesses. I believe that all guitar and bass players have weaknesses, and it's when we address them that we can begin to learn! No matter what level of experience you're at, I will help you to take your playing to the next level and help you find your voice!
Learning how to create songs and record your music should be a process in which you can lose yourself, but getting into the technical aspect of it can be daunting and discouraging. I help to show you that writing and recording your own music is much easier than you think, and after you learn just a little bit about your equipment, the music world is at your fingertips! When you center your songwriting around the recording process, you learn that you are capable of anything.
I'm happy to teach you:
-How to play guitar, bass or ukulele
-How to play particular styles of music
-How to use your computer as a recording studio
-How to write a complete song
About Me
I've been playing guitar and bass for over 15 years. I've played with metal and rock bands in Colorado for 10 years and I've played with rock bands and artists here in Utah for about 5 years now. I love all types of music and have played all types since I started playing guitar, but I consider myself a "metal specialist." Though bass is my main instrument now, my favorite instrument has been drums since I taught myself how to play about 8 years ago by jamming along to songs in my garage. Though I no longer play drums, I have an excellent understanding on how to write parts for drums within the context of a song.
I enjoy getting to know my students and helping them set and achieve goals! Learning any instrument can seem intimidating at times, but setting and achieving small goals will help you grow consistently, and seeing students really figure that out and "get it" is totally rad.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
Tyler D.
Rick R.
Andy S.
Hugh J.
Aldon
Norma S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to sit down with new students and learn about what kind of music they like. I like to guage new student experience by listening to them play a little bit; this helps me to guage your strengths and weaknesses so I can focus on them when creating a cirriculum. I take time to ask what it is that my student would like to focus on when learning with me. That way, I can make sure that the lessons are always relevant and helpful to their ultimate goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Though I have no background in education, I have been teaching friends and acquaintances guitar, bass and ukulele for years. The best that I could say is that I "kinda" know how to be a teacher, but I do know how to address the needs of the student. I've played guitar and bass for over 15 years and have spent roughly 10 years playing and performing for people at all kinds of shows. I've written and played music for all types of rock, metal and pop. I've also been writing and recording my own material for 10 years, so I have a very good understanding of the writing and recording process.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I'm happy to meet with students in person and online. These are the price points that I offer.
In-person
30 minutes: $15
45 minutes: $25
60 minutes: $30
Online (Skype)
30 minutes: $10
45 minutes: $20
60 minutes: $30
How did you get started teaching?
A neighbor I had growing up wanted me to teach him when we were kids, and he traded me an iPod Nano for about 6 weeks of guitar lessons. Ever since then, I've had friends and friends of friends ask me to teach them, usually after they've seen me play while we're hanging out or a show.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with a few students who wanted to learn how to play guitar and sing at the same time. I've had a few students who wanted to learn how to play metal guitar. I had a student who wanted learn how to play bass for their friend's band.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I just worked with a friend a few months ago to teach him how to fingerpick a song he was learning. Seeing his face light up when he started getting the hang of it turned to into him pickin' n' grinnin' along with the song, and we jammed and played it together. He started to get excited about the ideas he was having about what he could do with his new technique and is now using that to write a song. Being a part of that is just really cool to me!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would say that you should go with a teacher you vibe with. You're not going to have a good time or get better if you don't like you're teacher. Or maybe you will, but I don't know why you'd do that.
Then, just think about how much time and effort you want to put into getting better. The more you put in, the more you get out. Always be patient with yourself!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
-What's my skill level? Can I play chords? Can I play songs?
-What style do I want to play?
-What techniques or sounds interest me? What skills do I need to incorporate those things into my playing?
-What do I want to do with the instrument? Perform? Write? Just learn songs and jam? Letting your teacher know the answer to this question is a great way to let them know how you approach your instrument and focus on the things you'll need to do those things.