WHAT YOU CAN LEARN

-Proper right and left hand techniques, body posture
-How to play complete songs and endless riffs
-Song writing techniques
-How to read music (staff notation, TAB)
-Chords, chord progressions, modulations
-Scales, chord-scale relationships
-How to play (and combine) various styles / genres
-How to play fast, clean, confident, and comfortable
-The Asterisk approach to learning the entire fretboard
-More, more, and more


MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

From the moment I picked up my first guitar until I began my classical training in college, I never took lessons. As such, I truly believe that you are your own best teacher. In order to excel at the guitar you must love it for yourself and spend time getting to know the instrument. That being said, I wholly support the idea of taking lessons in order to support and fuel your progress. What I mean to say is that lessons alone will never make a good guitar player. The player must find his or her own way.


TEACHING APPROACH

A large part of how I taught myself to play, and indeed how I studied at UCSC, was to learn a piece of music and through it develop my guitar technique. It's amazing how many guitar 'secrets' you automatically uncover just in the process of learning a song. This is where it all begins. As you go through a piece of guitar music and improve your playing, we will identify and explore what is happening in the music and how it can work for your overall playing style. This is true for all styles, from classical to rock n' roll to...


STYLES / GENRES

I've had plenty of experience with acoustic and electric guitar styles. My strengths are in the following genres:

-classical guitar: music from Renaissance through Contemporary...
-acoustic guitar (nylon & steel): arpeggios, counterpoint, strumming techniques...
-electric guitar: rock, blues, metal, punk, funk, pop, jazz...


EXPERIENCE LEVEL

In the past I have taught students at all levels, including young beginners. I once started lessons with a young man who picked up a guitar for the first time with me in the room! At the other end of the spectrum, if you are already an experienced player then you know that there is always more to learn. I can help with technique, theory, performance, whatever you are looking for.


SCHEDULE & PRICING

Your lesson schedule will depend on your motivation and goals. Typically, shorter lessons are better for younger students. Pleae note that I travel to my students.

30 min - $30
45 min - $40
60 min - $50

Lessons are available weekly or bi-monthly.


LET'S PLAY

The only way to find out if the guitar is right for you (and I believe it can be for everybody) is to scheudle a FREE preliminary meeting. Feel free to contact me to inquire further about lessons. Remember, it's rarely too early and never too late!