Benefits for HGS Students

Lessons are in the comfort your location.  You save time not only by not having to travel but also by not having to pack up your gear (guitar, amp, material, etc.) load up your vehicle, unpack, then pack up again and unload when you get home.  Also, people tend to be more relaxed at their own location by having control of their environment.  No worries of others listening that you don’t want to, and there is an extra comfort level in having your lesson where you practice normally in familiar surroundings.

Music theory is important but does not need to be the only focal point of a student’s lesson and practice time.  I know from experience many instructors, especially with beginner students, teach straight out of some book and the student will be taught endless sight reading and scale exercises and silly melodies and end up getting bored and/or frustrated then quit.  I provide a balance of music theory, sight reading and songs of the student’s choosing, and I utilize this concept right from the beginning.  This holds a student’s interest and attention and most of all have fun with and enjoy their instrument.  

Most agree the goal of learning to play any instrument is to be able to perform songs.  I use the teaching of songs to also teach theory.  Even if the student may not realize it at the time.  There is a theory you have probably heard if you are a sports fan.  The greatest coaches are the ones that put their players in situations where the player will have the greatest chance of success.  I use this concept in teaching guitar.  I set up beginners right away with concepts, techniques, and songs they can learn quickly.  The more early success a student experiences the more fun they will have and the quicker their skill set will develop and they will progress much faster in their playing.  A simple example:  Assume a brand new beginner student’s first lesson on an acoustic guitar.  I am going to introduce a few chords to start out.  Now instead of just making them look at a chord chart and form the chord, then strum the chord 1-2-3-4 then switch to the next and repeat etc. making it an exercise, I am going to find  song (something that student likes) that uses those exact chords along with a strumming pattern and there you have it.  I taught the student their first chords  through an actual song instead of an exercise.  That is teaching through songs.  Students will be playing real music from day one and I love to see the excitement in their eyes when they thought it would be much longer to be able to play a song.  That is a simplified example but it can be used with any level of experience.  I could be teaching a rock student a new scale, and I’ll find a solo they like that uses that scale.  A new technique, I’ll find a guitar riff that uses that same technique and so on.  The benefit is the student’s are learning not just new guitar basics but simultaneously learning the music they want to play and having a ton of fun doing it.  Simple concept but extremely effective.

Sessions are tailored for each student’s individual music interests and style they want to learn.  That is important to me.  Therefore, I teach various genres and styles and keep on top of what is trending.  Genres include classic rock, blues, heavy metal, country, folk, hymns, progressive, and more.  Styles include strumming, fingerpicking, soloing, slide, and more.  Students learn what music they want to play and develop their own influences.

Students can earn free lessons by providing referrals.  Every referral I receive and sign up I will give credit toward a free lesson to the referring student for the next month.  No limits.

Anyone that wants to take lessons I can definitely find a way to fit it in their schedule so it is convenient as possible.  I don’t want anyone to hesitate taking up music because they think they don’t have time.  Also, if the student needs to change times often I will gladly accommodate anyone as long as they consistently make their weekly lessons.