About
My name is Brian West, and I've been playing guitar for over 25 years and have tought professionally off-and-on for more than 15 of those years. Before I get into my credientials, I'd like to say that my teaching style is to make certain that you are having fun playing your instrument, while using proven techniques (both physical and psychological) to master your guitar and ensure that the only limiation to the hieghts you soar is how far you choose to take it. I adhere to the mantra my first guitar teacher drilled into me: "To play the guitar well is extremely easy; the difficult part is making it easy." My focus as a teacher, therefore, becomes to take all the difficult stuff and break it into its easier components, teach those, then reassemble it all into the piece or technique you aimed to learn. Meanwhile, I'll teach you HOW I do these things, so that eventually you may be able to do them yourself.
Now as to my credientials: I have a degree from UW-Milwaukee in Classical Guitar Performance with a secondary style of Flamenco, but have studied jazz, blues, rock, American finger-style, folk, metal ... you name it. During my time at UWM, I had the honor to learn from some of the world's greats in Masterclasses and through private instruction. I have extensive experience as both a solo and ensemble performer, having performed on numerous stages, TV, and radio.
I took about 7-8 years off from teaching to start a magazine publishing business, but I'm now going back to my roots as a musician and educator.
Before my hiatus from teaching, I peaked at around 40 weekly private students (about 50/50 split between half-hour and hour lessons) at one time, and have tought well over 100 students to play and enjoy guitar. While most of my students learned the guitar simply for recreation, a fair number of my students went on to careers of their own with the instrument--as performers and/or educators themselves.
And if it says anything about my effectiveness and the love and passion I aim to instill in my students, since anouncing my return to teaching a good number of my former students have reached out and began taking lessons from me once again! Not going to lie, that feels good.
I'd love to take you on your own journey learning this instrument and all it has to offer. Whether you want to learn specific songs/pieces (I can cater an entire lesson series around a single piece that will not only teach you that piece, but master all the techniques within it and how to apply those techniques to future peices), or you're looking to learn everything you can about this instrument, I can certainly help and would love to be your guide.
All new prospective students start with a FREE assessment and mini-lesson, so starting with me is risk-free. Let's schedule that appointment and see if we might be a good fit!
My greatest joy comes from seeing a student reach their goals. It might be as simple as them learning that song they wanted to learn, or as complex as learning a completly new style, new technique, or overcoming a physical limitation. Whatever it may be, that moment they realize that they acheived that goal is priceless.
Beyond that, guitar (music in general, really) is analogous to life. In these little guitar lessons, broken down in their simplest forms, larger lessons can be extrapolated that will help the student navigate bigger, harder moments throughout their life. Be it through a way of problem-solving, or memory/learning techniques, or a philosophy--whatever it may be--some of my most important life-lessons came from my study of guitar and music and shaped me into the person I am today.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first step is always to assess where the student is at currently, and what goals they have with the instrument--both short and long-term.
Next, I create a custom plan to address any immediate techinique needs, preferably in ways that also acheives tangible progress toward one or more of their goals.
I believe NOT in the 10,000 hours mantra, but rather by the science-backed "deliberate practice" method, coupled with essencial practice/play cycle. I can explain both of those in a FREE assessment appointment.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a degree in Classical Guitar Performance from UW-Milwaukee.
In my pursuit of that degree, I deliberately chose "elective" classes that had practical applications toward my desired end: ie psychology and neuro-science classes to better understand how we learn and memorize, and biomechanics classes to better understand the way our body works, specifcially in the fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and back--all areas important to the guitar and in avoiding injury.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
All lessons are booked at the weekly frequency (but I'll allow twice per week and in rare occurances every other week) and billed monthly in advance. Rates are as follows:
$30 per 30 min lesson
$40 per 45 min lesson
$50 per 60 min lesson
How did you get started teaching?
After a few years of taking private lessons of my own, I was approached by a friend in high school to teach him guitar. I began with him and swiftly realized I was pretty good at this and that I loved helping people find their own passion and voice through music on this instrument. From there I began teaching at a local music store and grew my student base to something rather sizeable. I then added to that a gig teaching at a private music school in an adjecent city where I nearly doubled my student base. Lastly, I began teaching low-cost group beginner guitar lessons out of a community center in my town.
What types of students have you worked with?
While most of my students have been between 10-15 years old when they started with me, I have taught students as young as 5 years old, and as old as somewhere in their 70s.
My expertise in proper biomechanical techniques that create the foundation for playing any style and reaching any height with the instrument.
This as also has allowed me to teach students with physical limitations such as a muscle-bound contruction worker who could barely open his hand all the way, or older students with arthritis. But it's also attracted some of my fellow guitar teachers and professional performers to approach me for special lessons when they have felt strain from potential repetitive motion or improper technique that risked injury. I've been able to repair their techinqiues and possibly save their careers by avoiding long-term injury.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I have recently regained a long-time student and began teaching her new songs and techniques. When I "retired" from teaching to start another buisness, many of my students moved on to other teachers or began self-study. After announcing my return to teaching, one of my older former students reached out and began lessons again. She has arthritis now and so our lessons focus around helping her play songs she used to be able to play, but with adapted techniques that allow her to play with less pain and for longer periods of time.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Ask specific questions. For example, if you have a goal in mind, ask your prospective teacher how they would help you get to that goal and, assuming you put in the work from week to week, about how long they think it would take.
Make sure their teaching style jives with your learning style, or at least that they are aware of your learning style and are capable of adapting their methods to helping you learn your way.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I suppose this depends on the "need." If it's legitimately a need, like a physical limitation or something, there should be no concerns about addressing that need with the teacher. A teacher that isn't able to accomodate your need isn't the right teacher for you. Plain and simple.
However, if the "need' is really a "desire," things get a bit more tricky. To this, I'd say:
Students should understand that progress toward a goal is rarely a straight line. If you aim to climb a mountain, it is very unlikely you're going to just go "up." Much more likely you'll wind along paths and ridges that make your ascent easier, and even though your progress might at times seem invisible because you temporarily lose sight of the summit, before you know it you'll find yourself there. Trust the process and enjoy the journey.