Program Details

Lessons are weekly.  Students have choice of 1/2 hour or hourly sessions.  Tuition is paid monthly due at the first lesson of the month.  Currently only cash or checks accepted.  Contact for rates as they are partially based on location.

Lessons are a balance of music theory and playing songs.  Each student has a specific program tailored to their own skill level, music interests, and personal goals. Every student has their own music goals and I take that very serious and make sure I start and keep them going in the direction they want their music to take them.

Sight reading is taught from day one.  Although not necessary, I think all musicians should be able to read music.  I take it slowly and do not overwhelm students.  Just a few minutes of their lesson each week.  Along with sight reading students will learn a broad range of music theory including but not limited to what a key is and why it is important, scales, chord progressions, strummming patterns and chord building.  An important reason to understanding music theory is to learn how to communicate wth other musicians.

Beginner students will start learning a song their very first lesson.  Songs will be from a genre of music students want to learn (favorite artists, bands, guitarists, etc.) and will be tied into the current music theory being studied.  This is what I call teaching through song.  Also, this is where the fun starts and when it comes down to it that is what guitar playing and music is all about.

This is the really fun stuff.  Musical improvisation (also known as musical extemporization) is the creative activity of immediate ("in the moment") musical composition, which combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique as well as spontaneous response to other musicians.  This is where music theory and communicating with other musicians comes in to play.  I make this a part of a student’s lesson as much as possible.  Students will learn to solo over a rhythm, learn about timing, keys, jamming, etc.  Also, I provide backing tracks or instruct where to find them, record audio and video so student can see themselves and track progress, and many more exciting an fun things.  Improvising brings everything together.

Learning an instrument takes a commitment.  Students are expected to be available for their lesson each and every week aside from vacation time, illness, and emergencies.  I am flexible on lesson times constantly.  If a student is running late or needs to change their lesson it is not a problem.  I will make every effort to work with anyone for convenient times as long as they are committed to their lesson every week.  Students should be prepared (guitar out and ready, material and other equipment set up, etc.) when I arrive.